Moist, Tender Spice Cake: Gingerbread Variation

This is a substantial yet tender spice cake that's flavorful enough to serve unadorned. For my gingerbread variation, consider bringing along a jar of lemon curd.

• Calories: 299 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 cup molasses
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 ½ cups bleached all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened until easily spreadable

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Beat softened butter into dry ingredients, first on low, then medium, until mixture forms pebble-sized pieces. Add about 1/3 of the milk mixture and beat on low until smooth. Add remaining milk mixture in two stages; beat on medium speed until batter is just smooth. Add the sugar; beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds. Pour batter into cake pan.

Step 2

Bake until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the cake's center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Set pan on a wire rack; let cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the pan perimeter and turn cake onto rack. Let cool.

Step 3

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour a metal or disposable foil 9-by-13-inch pan. Whisk dry ingredients and spices in a large bowl. Mix milk, eggs, molasses and vanilla extract in a 2-cup measuring cup.