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Gingerbread Coffee Cake Recipe

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3.8 from 7 reviews

This Gingerbread Coffee Cake is a moist, warmly spiced dessert perfect for the holiday season or any cozy gathering. Featuring a blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional clove spices, it is layered with a buttery crumb topping and finished with a sweet glaze for an irresistible treat. Made with simple ingredients like molasses, sour cream, and buttermilk, this cake bakes up tender and flavorful, ideal for serving alongside your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Ingredients

Cake Batter

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon clove (optional)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

Crumb Topping

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Glaze (Optional)

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper if desired for easy removal. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: To the creamed mixture, add molasses, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are combined.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix: In the same bowl or separately, add the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove to the wet mixture. Begin mixing and slowly pour in the buttermilk. Mix just until the batter forms; be careful not to overmix as the batter will be thick.
  5. Prepare Crumb Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Use a fork to mix until the topping is crumbly and evenly combined.
  6. Assemble Cake: Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Then, use your hands or a spoon to break apart and distribute the crumb topping evenly over the cake batter.
  7. Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. Test the cake's doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. Once baked, remove from oven and allow to cool completely before slicing.
  8. Optional Glaze: To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake or sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can omit the clove if you prefer a milder spice flavor.
  • Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
  • If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1/2 cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • To prevent sticking, lining the pan with parchment paper is highly recommended.
  • The glaze is optional but adds a nice sweet finish to balance the spices.
  • Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/gingerbread-coffee-cake-recipe/