MOIST GINGERBREAD CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• In the bowl of your mixer combine the dry ingredients and whisk 30 seconds to throughly combine. To this add the remaining ingredients and mix on medium speed for 1 minute ( a bit longer if using a hand held mixer). Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix 1 minute more. Makes approximately 7 cups of batter. Pour into prepared pans and bake at 325 degrees. Check at 35 minutes, the cake will be slightly pulled away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center should pull out clean or with only a few crumbs. For the Spiced Cream Cheese FrostingPut the softened butter in the bowl of your mixer and mix until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin spice. Beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes (longer if using a hand mixer) until light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl midway through. Add the pieces of softened cream cheese to the mixing bowl. The cream cheese should be soft enough that it combines easily into the butter/powdered sugar mixture. Beat on low/medium speed about 1 minute or until the cream cheese is blended in. Makes 6 cups Use immediately or refrigerate. If you have beaten too long and it is too soft to pipe, just refrigerate a while and let it firm up. **No pumpkin spice? You can use 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon cloves. There is some "wiggle room" with this if you prefer a stronger flavor of one spice over another.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Grease and flour a 9-inch loaf pan, or even a square baking pan.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Dissolve baking soda into applesauce and mix into creamed butter. Add flour mixture. Mix until smooth.
• Pour the batter into a loaf pan.
• Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out just slightly sticky. (Be careful not to over bake, for this cake can dry out easily. Just remember that the toothpick shouldn't come out clean, but a little sticky).
• For the frosting, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Frost the cake when it is completely cooled. Decorate with chopped candied orange peel or candied ginger.
• *Note: This recipe tastes best the next day.