Gingerbread Cake

I wanted to bake something I had not baked before.  I was looking through many of my books and there were so many recipes I wanted to do.  Then, I came across this recipe for Gingerbread Cake.

This recipe is perfect for this time of year.  As it bakes, it fills the house with such a great smell of cinnamon, ginger and cloves.  It makes the house warm and cozy. 

This is a perfect way to end my night, with a  piece of gingerbread cake and a big cappuccino.  The cake tastes just like ginger and it's super moist.  Great recipe choice!

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs

zest of 1 lemon

1/2 cup of unsulphured molasses

1 cup milk

Preheat oven 350 Degrees F

Place rack in center of oven.  Butter and flour a 9 inch round or square pan with 2 inch sides.

In a bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.  In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.  Add the lemon zest and molasses and beat to combine.  Scrape the side of the bowl as needed.

Add the dry ingredients and milk, alternately, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat just until incorporated. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from cake pan. 

Source: Joy of Baking