A timeless, classic, traditional Gingerbread recipe! This is one of my family’s favorite recipes. It makes for a dense but soft, moist, and richly flavored old-fashioned recipe, perfectly flavored with molasses, brown sugar, and lots of cozy spices! Recipe includes a how-to video at the bottom of the post!
A Classic, Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Recipe
Not to be confused with gingerbread cookies, this old-fashioned gingerbread cake is a perfectly spiced holiday staple and has been in my family for decades. It originated from the same source as my favorite angel food cake: my mom’s well-worn Good Housekeeping cookbook.
I knew that I wanted to share a gingerbread recipe for the holidays, but not just any recipe, I wanted it to be this one.
Humble and rustic in appearance, the flavor of gingerbread is anything but with bright and cozy winter spices. It tastes incredible served warm with a dollop of homemade whipped cream (though many readers have said that they top theirs with lemon curd, instead!).
Let’s get to it!
I won’t go over every ingredient, but I did want to touch on a few of the key players in today’s recipe and why we’re using them (plus a few things to keep in mind when you’re searching for these ingredients in the grocery store!).
- Molasses. Molasses is an absolutely critical ingredient for true gingerbread flavor. This ingredient is often sold in several varieties, you will want to make sure that you grab a bottle that says “unsulphured” on the label. This has a milder (in a good way) flavor than sulphured molasses. I often use Grandma’s brand molasses or Brer Rabbit “full flavor” molasses (pictured above). If you can’t find either of these brands, make sure that you use a “dark” molasses and avoid “blackstrap” variety, which can be quite bitter.
- Butter. My family’s recipe originally used shortening, and you can feel free to use an equal amount of shortening in this recipe instead. However, after lots of taste-testing I decided I much preferred the flavor of real butter. If you can find it, grab yourself European-style butter (usually sold right beside “regular’ butter), which has a higher fat content and gives the gingerbread an even better flavor and more tender texture.
- Sugar. Dark brown sugar is best for this recipe as it contains a higher amount of molasses and lends itself to the rich flavor of this cake. Don’t forget that if you don’t happen to have this ingredient on hand, you can always follow my easy tutorial on how to make brown sugar!
- Flour. Use all-purpose flour, I have not tried this recipe with any substitutions and definitely advise that you avoid self-rising flour.
- Spices. This recipe uses a cozy blend of wintery spices: ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and cloves work with the flavors of the molasses for a true gingerbread flavor. Your house is going to smell amazing.
- HOT water. Very hot or boiling water is critical to this recipe as it helps to evenly incorporate all of the ingredients for a smooth, cohesive batter and (perhaps most importantly) blooms the spices for the best possible flavor.
How to Make Gingerbread
- Cream together butter and brown sugar (I recommend using an electric mixer) and then stir in molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until batter is well-combined. Sometimes you may notice that the mixture appears a bit piecey/separated at this point, that is OK! Everything will come together in the end!
- Separately whisk together your dry ingredients, then gently stir the dry ingredients into the butter/molasses mixture.
- Stir in HOT or boiling water (carefully!) until ingredients are smooth and well combined. Make sure batter is uniform in appearance, as not properly mixing could cause the cake to sink.
- Pour into a 9×9″ pan and cook until baked through.
I recommend slicing and serving yours while it’s still warm rather than waiting to allow it to cool completely. Don’t get me wrong, the leftovers are incredible, but there’s just something so delectable about still-warm gingerbread (topped with whipped cream, of course!).
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several reasons this can happen, but I’d like to cover the two most likely reasons:
1) If the cake is under-baked or the oven door is opened too many times before the cake is fully baked, the gingerbread may sink.
2) If the batter sits too long before making its way into the oven, the baking soda can begin to react with the other ingredients too quickly. This chemical reaction needs to take place in your oven, not on your countertop, so make sure your oven is preheated and ready to go and don’t let the batter sit around once it’s all mixed together — get it in the oven right away!
I recommend using a 9×9″ (23x23cm) square metal baking pan. A glass pan may also be substituted but keep in mind the gingerbread will take longer to bake this way. An 8×8″ (20x20cm) pan that is deep enough (don’t fill higher than ¾ of the way full) will also work but will similarly take longer to bake. I have not tried this recipe in any other size pan.
The toothpick test is one of the best ways to tell if gingerbread is finished baking. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or, preferably, with a few moist crumbs (but not wet batter).
Alternatively, look for a cake that is slightly puffed in the center and springs back to the touch if you lightly touch with the pad of your finger. Small cracks on the surface of the cake are also normal and indicative of a cake that’s finished baking. If the cake is jiggly or wet looking, it is going to need more time in the oven.
Under-baking can cause a sunken cake and over-baking can cause a dry one, so making sure your gingerbread is properly baked is critical!
Gingerbread is inherently slightly dense and heavy in texture, but each bite is perfectly flavored and moist and just melts in your mouth. This is the perfect cozy wintertime treat, and I think you’re going to love it!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Gingerbread
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (preferably European-style butter, if you can find it) softened to room temperature (may substitute vegetable shortening)
- ½ cup (100 g) dark brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 cup (235 ml) unsulphured molasses (do NOT use blackstrap molasses — check the back of your bottle/ingredients to make sure it is not blackstrap)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (235 ml) boiling water
- Whipped Cream for topping, optional
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9"x9" (23x23cm) metal baking pan by either generously greasing and flouring or by lining with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine butter and brown sugar in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until creamy.½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (preferably European-style butter, if you can find it), ½ cup (100 g) dark brown sugar
- Add molasses and stir until well combined.1 cup (235 ml) unsulphured molasses
- Add egg and vanilla extract. Stir well.1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt.2 ½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, ¾ teaspoon salt
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet until completely combined.
- Carefully stir in boiling water until ingredients are smooth and well-combined.1 cup (235 ml) boiling water
- Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake in the center rack of 350F (175C) preheated oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow to cool before slicing and serving. This Gingerbread tastes best when topped with whipped cream!Whipped Cream
Notes
Toppings
My family always tops this recipe with a batch of my homemade whipped cream, but many people also enjoy it topped with warm lemon curd!Storing
Store in an airtight container (or tightly covered in the pan it was baked in) at room temperature for up to 3 days. Note: This recipe has been one my family has used since I was a child and has been closely adapted from Good Housekeeping (affiliate).Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
More Holiday Recipes to Try:
This Gingerbread recipe was originally published 12/15/2017. Recipe remains the same, but the post has been updated to include video and more helpful tips.
Sir Lancelot
You mentioned your mom’s recipe using oil rather butter and white sugar. If I wanted to do it the old fashioned way, is that an equal swap out for them? I like baking with oil, and I wanted to try the less “caramely” version. Love the recipe with all the spices and vanilla! Thank you
Sam
Yup it would be an even swap here. 🙂
Wendy Geoghan
Delicious. Very moist with perfectly balanced sweet and spice. We had some with lemon curd, very good.
I will definitely make this again.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it Wendy! 🙂
Pamela
My Mom use to make homemade gingerbread with lemon sauce. I’m almost 63 and haven’t had any in so many years and I really want some. I didn’t pay attention back then when she made it and I regret it so much! I was wondering if maybe the lemon sauce she use to cook was lemon curd? I’ve enjoyed reading this post and want it even more so now! I’ve never made homemade gingerbread or lemon sauce because I couldn’t furfural out what the lemon sauce was. Thanks!
Melinda Gandara
Wonderful recipe —very moist and not to sweet.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Melinda! 🙂
cc
Childhood comfort food.. Absolutely perfect!!! Thank you for this recipe!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much! Baking always brings back the best memories for me too. 🙂
Elona
I’ve tried three recipes of yours, i have to admit that finally i found the page/site i was looking for … the first recipe was “the best vanilla cake”-and really it is the best… than i made -the german cake- it tastes very good but the look was terrible(my fault) and the last one i did it today -the ginger bread -it is amazing. I am happy that i found the sugarspunrun site… waiting for other recipies to try. THANK YOU
Sam
I am so glad you have enjoyed everything so much, Elona! If you like cheesecake, my cheesecake recipe gets RAVE reviews, or one of my personal favorites is my angel food cake. 🙂
John
ONE teaspoon ground Ginger??? What are you afraid of??? Try 3 teaspoons-6!-12! Live a little!
Sugar Spun Run
You are welcome to adjust the spices to your liking, John. I find that one teaspoon is just enough to not be too overpowering. 🙂
Trixie
Hi Sam
Thanks for the ginger bread recipe. It turned out really well. I think it’s a similar to the one my mother and
grandmother used to make. They served it with warm custard……delicious. Brought back memories.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it and it brought back so many wonderful memories for you, Trixie! Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Jane
This is a fabulous recipe! I have made it many items and everyone always loves it. Several peo0le have asked for the recipe.
I sometimes substitute orange juice for the water, for another element. Thanks very much for this perfect recipe!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoy the gingerbread so much, Jane! Thanks for passing it along. 😊
Joyce Reeves
Hi Sam,
You did not say to use mild or full flavored unsulphured molasses.
Sam
I’ll be honest, I never had the option and didn’t even know “mild” existed until just now. I recommend full flavored! Enjoy, Joyce!
Joyce Reeves
Sam,
Thank you, Sam. The Brer Rabbit brand gives you that option.
Mischelle Valentine
Made mine today. The family enjoyed it. Will make it again.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that the family enjoyed it, Mischelle! Thank you for trying my recipe. 🙂
David
Hi Sam!
Thanks for the recipe! Today was the second time I followed your recipe and it turned out great, except I should have read the comment and your response about cooking times when using a loaf pan, an expandable one, to keep the level of batter good. I cooked it for 40 minutes and it tested fine, but the center fell as it cooled and sure enough it was a bit uncooked in the center. Probably needed another 8-10 minutes. I used carob molasses from Turkey (Pekmesi) which gave it an interesting caroby flavor. Then I serve it with homemade tart applesauce and a dollop of whipped cream for the extra calories.
Sam
You’re very welcome, David! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out for you, I appreciate it 🙂
Danielle
Please help. Can you bake this in a loaf pan? If so is there anything different that would need to be done.
Sam
Hi Danielle, this might be a bit much batter for a loaf pan. I honestly haven’t tried to bake it in a loaf pan myself yet but I would advise not filling the pan more than 1/2-2/3 of the way full and it would definitely need to bake longer, though I’m not sure exactly how long as I haven’t tried it myself.
Diane
Made this today . Used 8X8 baking dish and it took about 48 minutes. The gingerbread was moist, very flavorful and delicious warm and served with whipped cream.
Thanx for the recipe, I will definitely be making it again.
Sugar Spun Run
That is wonderful, Diane! I am so glad that you enjoyed the gingerbread. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Ms. P
Incredible recipe…I added just a little white sugar 1/4 cup. Thanks for sharing this recipe .I used an 8X8 glass pan and a small round cast iron skillet. I may never buy gingerbread again…I’ll just have to make it!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Gloria S.
Made this for Christmas Eve dinner. Had to bake for 10 extra min. Tested for doneness n it tested ok, but fell flat in the center upon cooling. Added extra minced ginger to the batter when making too. Possibly too much moisture? The flavor was awesome however! My hubby loved it n wants me to make it again!
Sam
Hi Gloria! I’m glad the gingerbread was a success overall! Unless you added a TON of the minced ginger I doubt that would be enough to make the cake fall. I know you said it had to bake longer than indicated, I’m wondering if your oven is running a bit cooler than it is letting on, and then if you had to open and close the oven door a few times to check it those two things combined could make the gingerbread sink as it cooled.
Pattie M
Made this as dessert for Christmas Day. Used an 8×8 glass pan and it turned out perfectly!!! Will try the lemon sauce as an option with whipped cream next year. Thanks for this recipe Sam!