Go Back
4.89 from 9 votes
A Perfectly-Spiced Gingerbread Sheet Cake is cut into generous squares and ready for serving. The cake is moist and soft, topped with velvety cream cheese frosting. A star-shape gingerbread cookie and a Christmas tree shape gingerbread cookies are served together.
Print Recipe
Gingerbread Sheet Cake
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 

My Gingerbread Sheet Cake recipe is moist, spiced, festive, and topped with velvety cream cheese Frosting—perfect for holidays!

Servings: 12 people
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • 1¼ cups (6¼ oz/177 g) All-purpose Flour
  • 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) Heirloom Wheat Flour
  • ⅔ cup (4 oz/115 g) dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) granulated sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • 2 large eggs , at room temperature
  • 1¼ cups (10 fl oz/300 ml) whole milk
  • ½ cup (5 oz/142 g) molasses
  • ⅓ cup (2½ fl oz/75 ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) cake pan and set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt and spices.

  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, molasses and vegetable oil.

  4. Stir the wet into the dry mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix.

  5. Pour into your prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

  6. Let cool completely in the pan before spreading generously with the Cream Cheese Frosting.

  7. Slice and enjoy with a cup of tea! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Recipe Notes
  • Use room-temperature ingredients: Make sure eggs, milk, and other wet ingredients are at room temperature. This helps the batter mix evenly and results in a tender, cohesive cake.
  • Measure brown sugar correctly: Pack brown sugar firmly into your measuring cup to ensure the right sweetness and moisture balance.
  • Boost the ginger flavor: For an extra gingery kick, fold in ½ cup (2½ oz / 71 g) of chopped, candied ginger into the batter.
  • Experiment with frostings: While cream cheese frosting is classic, this cake also pairs beautifully with a rich chocolate ganache for a decadent twist.
  • Add a subtle spice lift: For a warming, unexpected spice note, stir in ¼–½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper into the dry ingredients.
  • Don’t overmix the batter: Stir until just combined to avoid a tough cake. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the cake dense.
  • Let the cake rest: Bake the cake a day in advance if possible. As it sits, the crumb softens and the flavors meld, making it even more moist and flavorful.