Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Cake

Here’s a festive and delicious recipe for a Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Cake, perfect for the holiday season! This cake is full of warm spices, like cinnamon and ginger, and decorated to resemble a beautiful Christmas wreath.

Ingredients:

For the Gingerbread Cake:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup molasses
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3-4 cups powdered sugar (depending on desired consistency)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

For the Decoration:

Red and green sprinkles (or edible glitter)
Candied cranberries or fresh cranberries
Small candy canes
Mini marshmallows (optional for “snow”)
Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional for a Christmas wreath look)
Piping gel or royal icing (optional, for extra details)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Gingerbread Cake:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt cake pan or a round cake pan with a hole in the middle to create the wreath shape.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
Add the molasses and eggs, beating until combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Make the Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
Add ground cinnamon, ground ginger, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until fully incorporated and smooth.

3. Assemble the Wreath Cake:

Once the cake has cooled completely, transfer it to a serving platter.
Generously frost the entire cake with the spiced cream cheese frosting, making sure to cover the top and sides.
Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to shape the frosting into a wreath shape, creating a slightly raised edge around the outside of the cake.

4. Decorate the Wreath Cake:

Decorate the cake to resemble a Christmas wreath. Start by adding sprinkles of red and green to resemble holly berries and festive foliage.
Place candied or fresh cranberries around the wreath, along with small candy canes for a holiday touch.
Optionally, you can use mini marshmallows to create the appearance of snow around the base of the cake.
For an extra touch, place fresh rosemary sprigs around the top to mimic the look of a traditional wreath.
If desired, pipe additional decorations with royal icing or piping gel for extra detail, such as a ribbon or snowflakes.

5. Serve and Enjoy:

Slice and serve your Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Cake at your holiday gatherings. It’s a festive and flavorful dessert that will wow your guests with both its beautiful appearance and rich, spiced flavor.

This cake is a perfect centerpiece for your holiday dessert table, filled with the warm, comforting flavors of gingerbread and decorated to bring out the spirit of Christmas. Enjoy!