Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Delight

Description

The Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Delight offers a warm, aromatic treat perfect for the holiday season. Encompassing the rich flavors of spices and molasses, this gingerbread cake is adorned with a luxurious whipped cream frosting and tastefully decorated with holiday-inspired garnishes. It’s an ideal centerpiece for festive gatherings or a splendid gift to share the joy of the season.

Ingredients

For the Gingerbread Cake:
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
– 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon ground cloves
– ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 ½ cups dark brown sugar, packed
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup molasses
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 teaspoon baking soda

For the Whipped Cream Frosting:
– 2 cups heavy cream
– 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:
– Cinnamon sticks
– Star anise
– Candied ginger slices
– Fresh rosemary sprigs
– Powdered sugar for dusting

Step-by-step Directions

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch Bundt or ring-shaped pan and line it with parchment paper.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Then add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

4. Add Molasses and Vanilla

Stir in the molasses and vanilla extract into the creamy mixture.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk, and start and end with the dry ingredients. Finally, stir in the baking soda.

6. Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Prepare Whipped Cream Frosting

In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

8. Decorate the Cake

Pipe the whipped cream around the edges of the cooled cake using a star-shaped tip. Decorate with cinnamon sticks, star anise, candied ginger slices, and fresh rosemary sprigs. Dust with powdered sugar.

Servings & Preparation/Cooking Time

Yield: Serves approximately 12-15 people.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Cooking Time: 40 minutes.
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour, plus cooling.

Tips for Storage & Reheating

• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Whipped cream decorations are best added close to serving time to maintain freshness.

Conclusion

The Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Delight is not just a dessert; it’s a festive statement piece that captures the essence of the holidays. Every slice offers comfort and joy through its delightful blend of spices, making it a perfect complement to your holiday festivities.

Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Delight

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour, plus cooling
• Yield: Serves approximately 12-15 people. 1x

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Description

The Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Delight offers a warm, aromatic treat perfect for the holiday season. Encompassing the rich flavors of spices and molasses, this gingerbread cake is adorned with a luxurious whipped cream frosting and tastefully decorated with holiday-inspired garnishes. It’s an ideal centerpiece for festive gatherings or a splendid gift to share the joy of the season.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise
• Candied ginger slices
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch Bundt or ring-shaped pan and line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar In a large bowl, beat softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Then add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Add Molasses and Vanilla Stir in the molasses and vanilla extract into the creamy mixture.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk, and start and end with the dry ingredients. Finally, stir in the baking soda.
6. Bake Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare Whipped Cream Frosting In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
8. Decorate the Cake Pipe the whipped cream around the edges of the cooled cake using a star-shaped tip. Decorate with cinnamon sticks, star anise, candied ginger slices, and fresh rosemary sprigs. Dust with powdered sugar.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes