Go Back
+ servings
Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese

Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese: A Festive Delight

Indulge in this Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese, a moist and spiced festive delight topped with zesty frosting.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: DESSERTS
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Gingerbread Cake Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger or ground nutmeg for a twist
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves optional
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar or light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup molasses or honey
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients
  • 8 oz low fat cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter for frosting softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar to taste
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Equipment

  • 9x9 baking pan
  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • Electric Mixer
  • Spatula

Method
 

Making the Cake
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9x9 baking pan by lightly greasing it and lining with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and kosher salt.
  3. Combine boiling water and molasses in a separate bowl, then whisk together until fully blended.
  4. Beat the softened unsalted butter in a mixing bowl for 2-3 minutes until creamy and light. Add brown sugar and Greek yogurt, beating until smooth.
  5. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing until fully combined.
  6. Mix in the dry ingredients gradually, alternating with the molasses mixture.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top, and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  8. Cool the cake completely in the pan before frosting.
Making the Frosting
  1. Beat together the low-fat cream cheese and unsalted butter until fluffy.
  2. Gradually add lemon zest, lemon juice, and powdered sugar, mixing until smooth.
  3. Spread the lemon cream cheese frosting over your cooled gingerbread cake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 6mg

Notes

Optional: Garnish with fresh citrus slices or a sprinkle of zest for an extra festive touch.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!