Chinese Five-Spice Ginger Cake

Infusing ginger cake with Chinese five-spice, orange zest, and black tea makes for an unforgettable dessert.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 168 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.25 cup sunflower seed oil
• 0.25 cup chopped crystallized ginger
• 1.5 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
• 1.5 tablespoons grated orange zest
• 0.5 cup brewed black tea
• 0.5 tablespoon ground turmeric, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper.

Step 3

Mix flour, ginger, baking powder, orange zest, baking powder, five-spice, and salt together.

Step 4

Mix applesauce and tea together in a separate bowl.

Step 5

Beat eggs with 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until very fluffy and light. Pour in oil gradually and beat on medium speed until combined. Alternate adding the flour and applesauce mixtures, mixing just until combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

Step 6

Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes. Place a wire rack over the cake pan and flip to release cake onto the rack. Let cool completely, at least 45 minutes.

Step 7

Cut parchment paper into any shapes you like to act as stencils. Brush lightly with water and stick them over the surface of the cake. Gently sprinkle turmeric around the shapes. Carefully lift up stencils.