Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil (or avocado oil or canola oil)
- 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk (almond milk or regular milk)
Frosting Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature, dairy-free cream cheese can also be used)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Fresh cranberries (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan and preheat oven: Grease a 9-inch round pan and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well using a fork to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup milk until smooth and fully combined.
- Incorporate dry into wet: Gradually pour the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl to incorporate all flour evenly. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and tender.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare the frosting: In a food processor or using a handheld mixer in a bowl, blend 4 ounces of room temperature cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon until smooth and creamy. This cinnamon cream cheese frosting adds a delicious and complementary flavor to the spiced cake.
- Frost and decorate: Once the cake has fully cooled, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. For an added festive touch and a pop of color, garnish with fresh cranberries if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute olive oil with avocado or canola oil for a different flavor profile.
- Brown sugar can be replaced with coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
- Dairy-free cream cheese can be used to make the frosting suitable for lactose intolerance or vegan adaptations.
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Fresh cranberries are optional but highly recommended for decoration and flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
