Hey food lovers! Welcome to Beyond the Bayou Blog, where Anne’s all set to treat you to some amazing flavors from around the globe. Today, get ready for a taste sensation straight from Thailand with our special ginger cake recipe! It’s going to be a delicious adventure you won’t want to miss, so let’s dive right in and enjoy every bite together!”
After a long day exploring Thai culture, I craved something sweet. Remembering a recipe I stumbled upon, I decided to whip up a ginger cake. Gathering ingredients, I mixed flour, sugar, and spices, filling my kitchen with cozy aromas.
Once baked to perfection, I served thick slices with a dollop of whipped cream and a side of fresh fruit salad. With each bite, the warm flavors transported me back to the bustling streets of Bangkok. It was a simple yet satisfying end to an adventurous day, reminding me of the joy found in both travel and homemade treats.
Alright, let�s dive into making these mouthwatering ginger cake and share the joy with your friends and family!
Why do You All Love This Recipe?
- Perfect for Smaller Groups: This cake is just the right size when you’re not feeding a huge crowd. It’s a cozy, 1-layer treat that’s just right for a few friends or family members.
- Upside-Down Option: Feeling adventurous? You can even flip it and make an upside-down pear gingerbread cake. It’s like two delicious desserts in one!
- Holiday Flavors Galore: Imagine warm, cozy holiday flavors dancing in every bite. That’s what you get with this cake, thanks to the magical combo of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Moist and Fluffy: Say goodbye to dry, dense cakes! This one has a moist, fluffy crumb that melts in your mouth.
- Endless Topping Options: Whether you’re a frosting fanatic or prefer it plain, this cake has you covered. You can slather it with spiced cream cheese frosting, dollop some whipped cream on top, or simply dust it with a sprinkle of confectioners� sugar.
- Pan Size Flexibility: Don’t have the exact pan size? No worries! You can easily adapt this recipe to fit whatever pan you have on hand. It’s all about making it work for you.
- Quick and Easy: Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen during the holidays? Not us! This cake comes together in a snap, so you can spend less time prepping and more time enjoying the festivities.
How to Make Ginger Cake?
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 160�C (320�F).
- Line a 20 cm square baking pan with parchment paper and grease it well with oil. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare Honey Mixture
- In a saucepan, bring � cup of water to a boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in the honey until well combined.
- Add baking soda and mix.
- Then, add another � cup of water and mix again.
- Set aside to cool.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
- Mix well and set aside.
Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, mix together oil, brown sugar (or powdered jaggery), and egg until well combined.
Step 5: Combine Mixtures
- Gradually add half of the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and fold gently.
- Then, add all of the honey mixture and mix well.
- Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and mix until just combined. The batter will be runny.
Step 6: Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, remove from the pan, peel off the parchment paper, and slice into squares.
Step 8: Enjoy
- Serve and enjoy this delicious homemade gingerbread cake!
Here Are Some Tips for You!
- Get Precise with Measurements: Want perfect bakes every time? Invest in a kitchen scale for measuring dry ingredients. It’s like having a baking wizard on your side! If you don�t have one, no worries. Use the trusty spoon and sweep method instead.
- Oven Thermometer Magic: Ever wonder if your oven’s temperature is playing tricks on you? Get yourself an oven thermometer�they’re cheap and super accurate. Say goodbye to guessing games!
- Sweeten Things Up: Feel free to customize your cake with your favorite sweetener. Whether it’s brown sugar, molasses, or coconut sugar, the choice is yours! Adjust the amount to suit your sweet tooth.
- Preheat Like a Pro: Don’t skip preheating your oven. It’s like giving your cake a warm hug right from the start! Preheating activates the baking powder, so your cake rises to the occasion.
- Protect That Top: If your cake’s top is getting too toasty too soon, don’t panic. Just cover it loosely with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Your cake will thank you as it bakes to golden perfection.
What to Serve with Ginger Cake?
- Lemon Panna Cotta
- Lemon Drop Martini
- Butter Pecan Ice Cream
- Mango Sticky Rice
- Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream
Possible Variations You Can Try!
- Zesty Orange: Feeling fruity? Grate the zest of a medium orange into the batter for a burst of citrusy goodness.
- Chocolatey Cocoa: Craving something chocolatey? Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich, chocolaty kick.
- Boozy Upgrade: Want to add a little kick? Swap out 2 to 3 tablespoons of boiling water for rum, bourbon, or your favorite liquor. It’ll give your cake a delicious boozy twist.
- Fun Toppings: While adding nuts, chocolate chips, or sprinkles directly into the batter might cause them to sink, you can always sprinkle them on top of the whipped cream or frosting for an extra tasty touch!
- Caramel Drizzle: Elevate your cake to heavenly heights by drizzling it with your favorite bourbon caramel sauce. It’s the ultimate indulgence!
Can I reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe?
Yes, you can reduce the amount of sugar in this ginger cake if you prefer a less sweet dessert. Keep in mind that sugar not only adds sweetness but also contributes to the texture and moisture of the cake, so reducing it too much may affect the final result.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this ginger cake gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular all-purpose flour. Be sure to check that all your other ingredients are also gluten-free.
Ginger Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups
- Cake Pan
- Cooling Rack
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1� cup All Purpose Flour 150 grams
- 1� tsp Baking Powder
- � tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground Ginger
- ? tsp Ground Cloves
- � tsp Salt
- � cup Honey 120 ml
- � cup Oil 120 ml
- 1 large Egg
- � cup Brown Sugar 100 grams packed, I used powdered jaggery
- � +� Water 180 ml
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160�C. Line and grease baking pan.
- Boil � cup water. Mix in honey and baking soda. Cool.
- Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix oil, sugar, and egg in another bowl.
- Add half of dry mix, then all honey mix, then rest of dry mix.
- Pour batter into pan.
- Bake 40-45 mins until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool, then slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Runny Batter = Moist Cake: Your batter should be runny for a super moist and soft cake. That’s the secret sauce!
- Spice it Up (Or Not): The spices are totally up to you. Add more or less according to your taste buds. It’s your cake, after all!
- Oil or Melted Butter: You can use oil instead of melted butter. Both work like a charm!
- Mix with Care: Don’t go overboard with mixing your batter. Too much mixing can make your cake dense. Just a gentle mix will do.
- Brown Sugar Swap: No brown sugar? No problem! You can easily swap it for jaggery.
- Sweet Substitutions: If you’re out of honey, no worries! You can use treacle or golden syrup instead. They’ll do the trick just fine.