GINGER CAKE BON APPETIT RECIPES

Steps:

• Cook raspberries, sugar, and ginger in a medium saucepan over medium heat, crushing with a potato masher, until softened and some of the liquid evaporates, 6–8 minutes.
• Transfer 3 Tbsp. cooking liquid to a small bowl and whisk in cornstarch. Stir slurry into sauce in pan and cook, stirring, until thickened to about the consistency of jam, about 2 minutes; let cool.
• Cook sugar and 3 Tbsp. water in a small saucepan over medium heat, without stirring, until mixture starts to darken in spots. Carefully swirl pan to evenly cook sugar but do not stir it. Cook, swirling occasionally, until caramel is a deep amber, about 8 minutes. Immediately stir in 1 cup cream. Cook until no streaks remain, about 30 seconds. Let cool.
• Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat remaining 2 cups cream in a large bowl to medium peaks. Add cooled caramel and beat to stiff peaks (a few swirls of caramel are okay).
• Line an 8x8" baking dish with 2 sheets of parchment paper, leaving a 2" overhang on all 4 sides. Cover bottom with a single layer of cookies, breaking to fit as needed. Top with about ½ cup raspberry sauce and spread evenly to corners and edges. Top with ¾ cup raspberries, then spread 2 cups caramel cream over berries. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients. Cover and chill at least 6 hours.
• To serve, top with more raspberries and currants (if desired) and slice, wiping knife between cuts. Do ahead: Icebox cake can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Line bottoms with parchment. Mix flour, crystallized ginger, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until well blended after each addition. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions each, scraping down sides of bowl. Beat just until batter is smooth. Divide batter between prepared pans.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Run small knife around pan sides to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely. Peel off parchment.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add brown sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger and vanilla; beat until well blended. Mix in 1/4 cup crystallized ginger.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1 cup frosting over. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup crystallized ginger decoratively atop cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.)