Classic warmly spiced gingerbread (Printable)
Warmly spiced gingerbread featuring molasses, aromatic spices, and a tender, moist texture perfect for holiday treats.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
08 - 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
09 - 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
12 - 1/2 cup whole milk
13 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Optional
14 - Powdered sugar, for dusting
15 - Lemon or orange zest, for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - In a large bowl, cream unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
05 - Mix in molasses and vanilla extract until fully blended.
06 - Alternately add dry ingredients and whole milk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
07 - Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the surface evenly.
08 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
09 - Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with citrus zest if desired before slicing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This gingerbread has that secret deep molasses flavor that wraps you in a gentle hug without being too sweet
- The tender crumb combined with aromatic spices made it an instant family favorite for festive gatherings
02 -
- Don&t overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients — this keeps the gingerbread tender and avoids toughness
- Using unsulphured molasses really makes the flavor deeper and richer than regular molasses
03 -
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to keep that fluffy texture when creaming with sugar
- The secret to moist gingerbread is alternating dry and wet ingredients gently to maintain the batter&s structure