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SPICED GINGER CAKE (GF)

Molasses, Fresh Ginger & Bourbon Cream

This gluten-free ginger cake is built for depth, not sweetness. Fresh grated ginger and blackstrap molasses create warmth and structure, while almond flour keeps the crumb tender without heaviness. The result is moist, aromatic, and balanced — the kind of cake that improves on day two and feels equally at home beside morning coffee or after-dinner bourbon.

Rustic. Fragrant. Comfort baking at its best.

Prep Time:

20 Minutes

Cook Time:

45 Minutes

Yield:

8 - 10

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

1 C. Gluten free flour (with xanthan)

1 C. Almond flour

2 t. Baking powder

2 t. Ground ginger

½ t. Ground cinnamon

½ t. Ground cardamom

¼ t. Ground cloves

½ t. Ground allspice

⅛ t. Salt


Wet Ingredients

2 Eggs (room temperature)

½ C. Milk (or full-fat dairy-free alternative)

¼ C. Maple syrup

C. Avocado oil

¼ C. Brown sugar

2 T. Blackstrap molasses

1 t. Ginger, fresh, grated, (packed)

1 Vanilla bean, scraped (or 1 t. vanilla extract)


Bourbon Whipped Cream

1 C. Whipping cream

2 T. Sugar

3 T. Bourbon


Tools we Reach For

Stand Mixer

Ensures a smooth, fully incorporated batter and stable whipped cream with minimal effort.


Parchment Baking Sheets

Allows clean release and professional presentation without sticking.


Wire Cooling Rack

Promotes even cooling and prevents excess moisture from softening the cake base.

Preparation

Step 1 — Prepare the Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease a standard loaf pan and line with parchment, leaving overhang for easy removal.


Step 2 — Combine Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together:

GF flour, almond flour, baking powder, spices, and salt.


Whisk thoroughly to evenly distribute leavening — essential in gluten-free baking.


Step 3 — Build the Wet Base

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until slightly frothy.


Add milk, maple syrup, oil, brown sugar, molasses, grated ginger, and vanilla. Whisk until fully smooth and emulsified.


Step 4 — Combine

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.


Mix gently until just combined — do not overmix. The batter should be smooth but not dense.


Let the batter rest 5–7 minutes before baking.

(This allows gluten-free flours to hydrate properly.) This step is important.


Step 5 — Bake

Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan.

Bake 40–45 minutes, until:

• Top is set and lightly domed

• A toothpick inserted in center comes out clean

• Internal temp reaches ~200°F


Cool 10 minutes in pan, then lift out and cool fully on rack.


Step 6 — Bourbon Cream

Whip cream and sugar to soft peaks.


Add bourbon gradually and continue whipping to medium peaks.


Do not overwhip — you want it spoonable, not stiff.


Texture Guidance

The finished cake should be:

• Moist but not wet

• Lightly springy

• Gently fragrant

• More warm than sweet

If it feels dense, it likely needed more bake time.


Make It Seasonal

Fall: Add chopped crystallized ginger

Winter: Finish with orange zest in the cream

Holiday: Drizzle lightly with maple glaze

Spring: Serve with macerated berries


Shop the Pantry

Great baking begins with great ingredients. A few thoughtful upgrades transform a simple ginger cake into something layered and memorable.


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Vanilla Bean Paste

Vanilla bean paste offers the intensity of extract with the visual and aromatic depth of whole beans. The flecks of real vanilla add warmth and dimension, especially in spice-forward desserts where vanilla supports rather than dominates.

→ Vanilla Bean Paste


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Crystallized Ginger

For added texture and brighter spice, finely chop crystallized ginger and fold it into the batter. It melts slightly while baking, creating pockets of concentrated warmth that elevate the cake beyond a simple spice loaf.

→ Find Crystallized Ginger




How We Set Our Table

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Small Plates

There’s something grounding about a simple white plate. It highlights texture, color, and detail without distraction — perfect for serving cake with coffee, afternoon sweets, or small bites at a relaxed gathering. An everyday essential that earns its place in the cabinet.



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Handblock Print Cotton Napkins

Handblock printed cotton napkins bring subtle pattern and warmth to the table without feeling formal. Soft, washable, and endlessly reusable, they’re ideal for coffee service, casual brunches, or simple weekend gatherings where texture matters more than perfection.


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Walnut Wood Handle Flatware Set

An elevated everyday essential, this walnut-handled cutlery set pairs durability with warmth. A beautiful choice for housewarming gifts or building a table that feels welcoming year-round.



Spice Collection

This cake is part of a broader rhythm — the kind of baking built on warmth, spice, and slow afternoons in the kitchen. If ginger, molasses, and cardamom are part of your cold-weather rotation, you’ll find more deeply spiced desserts and seasonal comforts in our Winter Spice Collection.


Featuring:


Create your Café at Home

Good coffee, something warm from the oven, and a table worth lingering at.

Explore our favorite tools, recipes, and café rituals.

​​Bistro at Home →


Affiliate disclosure: qualifying purchases made through this link support This Café Life — thank you for shopping small and supporting independent creators.


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