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    Home » Recipes » Winter » Christmas Recipes

    January 18, 2011 American Recipes

    Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Hard Sauce

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Hard Sauce is a Martha Stewart recipe that is just delicious! A soft and moist cake filled with warm winter spices. The lemon hard sauce is a must to go with this simple and wonderful cake!

    There is nothing like coming home from a hard day of school to a slice of Gingerbread Cake. Even better is a slice of Gingerbread Cake with a dollop of Lemon Hard Sauce. And maybe a hot cup of tea.
    overhead image of gingerbread cake with lemon hard sauce

    Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Hard Sauce

    When I was little, my mom used to make the best Gingerbread Cake. It was a permanent baking fixture in her kitchen during the whole month of December. It was simple and satisfying. While my mom was busy mixing the ingredients, I would be sneaking under the Christmas tree shaking my presents to figure out what I got.

    My brother would be peeling the tape a little off of his and then he would stealthily try to re-tape it. We were stinkers. (Sorry mom!) Mmmm. And then that smell would waft throughout the house. The rich smell of ginger mixed with cinnamon and other spices. I didn’t know the other spices names yet. I was too little.
    image of gingerbread cake with lemon hard sauce on a white plate

    When we were in New York last week, our friend Nicole made the most amazing Gingerbread Cake. I swear I will get my hands on the recipe and try her recipe. It was dark. Almost black. It was gooey and amazingly moist. She served us the cake after dinner with vanilla ice-cream. Another wonderful way to eat Gingerbread Cake. Or you may like simple...like a simple dusting of confectioner’s sugar.
    overhead image of gingerbread cake with lemon hard sauce on a white plate

    I love to make my kids quick and tasty snacks to have after school. For the cooler days, a lovely slice of Gingerbread Cake and a hot cup of tea is just the perfect treat for my little munchkins. They also get apple slices and tangerines. We big people like our Gingerbread Cake with that healthy spoonful of Lemon Hard Sauce I was telling you about.

    image of lemon hard sauce in a glass jar

    I think Lemon Hard Sauce can cure just about any thing. It’s tangy and sweet and goes so well with the flavors in the Gingerbread Cake.

    Some other cake recipes to enjoy:

    • Vegan Black Sticky Gingerbread
    • Angel Food Cake
    • Lemon Ricotta Cake
    • Sourdough Discard Apple Cake
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    Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Hard Sauce

    Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Hard Sauce is a Martha Stewart recipe that is just delicious! A soft and moist cake filled with warm winter spices. The lemon hard sauce is a must to go with this simple and wonderful cake!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time35 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cake, Christmas cake, gingerbread
    Servings: 12
    Author: Lora

    Ingredients

    • Gingerbread cake
    • 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for the pan
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
    • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ⅔ cup packed dark-brown sugar
    • 1 cup unsulfured molasses
    • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
    • 2 large eggs room temperature,lightly beaten
    • Lemon Hard Sauce
    • ½ cup butter softened
    • 2 tsp lemon zest
    • 1-2 Tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-by-9-inch cake pan; set aside.
    • In a small bowl, combine boiling water and baking soda; set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour, ground spices, salt, and baking powder; set aside.
    • In an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter until light. Beat in brown sugar until fluffy. Next, beat in molasses and grated ginger, baking-soda mixture, and flour mixture. Finally, beat in eggs.
    • Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, (approximately 30 to 35 minutes). Let cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Serve with the Lemon Hard Sauce or a nice dusting of confectioners’ sugar.
    • For the Lemon Hard Sauce:
    • In a medium sized bowl, on medium-high speed beat the softened butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice until just creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla into the bowl in small doses and beat until it is nice and fluffy.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!
    « Easy Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shulie says

      January 18, 2011 at 4:30 pm

      As if you read my mind. Just visited your blog yesterday to look if you posted a new recipe... and here you did just that, all for me?! 🙂 Looks like a cake that will go great with my tea!! Shulie

      Reply
    2. wenderly says

      January 18, 2011 at 4:34 pm

      My mouth is watering...seriously, yum.

      Reply
    3. Chef Dennis says

      January 18, 2011 at 4:36 pm

      wow....the lemon hard sauce on that flavorful gingerbead cake is almost too much to handl....almost.....I would love to have been there while it was baking...oh how I must have smelled incredible!!
      Dennis

      Reply
    4. Lindsay @Eat, Knit, Grow says

      January 18, 2011 at 4:50 pm

      Yum gingerbread! And the sauce looks divine!

      Reply
    5. bakinginlisbon says

      January 18, 2011 at 4:54 pm

      Love it, the lemon hard sauce is a must!

      Reply
    6. BakingWithoutaBox says

      January 18, 2011 at 5:25 pm

      I can't decide which is more wonderfully tempting - the simple sugar dusting or the lemon hard sauce. Think I'll have to try both ;)What a lovely cake recipe. I'll be saving this one.

      Reply
    7. Jill Colonna says

      January 18, 2011 at 5:38 pm

      I just love gooey gingerbread - never had it with a lemon sauce before. And Lemon Hard Sauce? Looks scrumptious!

      Reply
    8. Anonymous says

      January 18, 2011 at 5:52 pm

      Wow this cake looks so yummy! I love the gingerbread and lemon combo too. That sounds so scrumptious!

      Reply
    9. Corrine says

      January 18, 2011 at 5:58 pm

      Mmmm that looks yummy!

      Reply
    10. The Gonzo Mama says

      January 18, 2011 at 5:58 pm

      It's the perfect time of year for gingerbread! I can't wait to veganize this recipe and try it!

      Reply
    11. Kate @ Diethood.com says

      January 18, 2011 at 6:05 pm

      Oh, yum, that's delicious! I think I would probably lick the lemon sauce off of every piece before eating the entire cake!

      Reply
    12. Marzia says

      January 18, 2011 at 6:07 pm

      i love this gingerbread cake!! kisses from tuscany 🙂

      Reply
    13. Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says

      January 18, 2011 at 6:22 pm

      Mmmm gingerbread cake, you just know I LOVE your cake! 😉 What a great idea to make lemon hard sauce to put on top. I have to try out the hard sauce, it sounds incredible. Can I live by you please and eat everything you make? I think I'd be in heaven.

      Reply
    14. Angie's Recipes says

      January 18, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      The cake looks awesome! Love the sauce too.

      Reply
    15. Tiffany says

      January 18, 2011 at 6:32 pm

      I've never heard of hard sauce before! The lemon-gingerbread combo sounds fantastic!

      Reply
    16. Christina says

      January 18, 2011 at 6:39 pm

      Gingerbread with lemon? Who would have thought it! Sounds yummy!

      Reply
    17. Steph says

      January 18, 2011 at 7:14 pm

      I love gingrebread cake! I didn't get around to making it this holiday season, but seeing this is making me think it's not too late 🙂

      Reply
    18. Evan Thomas says

      January 18, 2011 at 7:20 pm

      I'm drooling. That lemon sauce would be good for just about anything.

      Reply
    19. Jennifer says

      January 18, 2011 at 7:28 pm

      I love gingerbread. Never tried with lemon, though. Your sauce looks devine. Sounds like it might be time to add a little lemon to my gingerbread.

      Reply
    20. Claire Gallam says

      January 18, 2011 at 7:52 pm

      This looks INCREDIBLY decadent. Like, I just gained weight reading it. But I don't mind b/c it looks fabulous 🙂 Another great cake!

      Reply
    21. Christine Wu says

      January 18, 2011 at 8:04 pm

      Lemon hard sauce? At first I thought it's called hard sauce because you put hard liquor in it.. hehe. Silly me! Never tried gingerbread cake before but yours sounds so good!

      Reply
    22. Evan @swEEts says

      January 18, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      I love gingerbread! And I would love to come home after a long day at work to a slice of this for sure! I've never heard of lemon hard sauce and I actually would never think to mix lemon and gingerbread, but if you say its delicious then it has to be!

      Reply
    23. Lizzy says

      January 18, 2011 at 10:49 pm

      What a moist, gorgeous slice of cake. I love those same kitchen aromas...something about cinnamon and ginger that I can't resist. And since this recipe comes from your sweet mom, I love it even more 🙂

      Reply
    24. Maria says

      January 18, 2011 at 11:28 pm

      I would love a piece, please!!!

      Reply
    25. Nisrine|Dinners and Dreams says

      January 19, 2011 at 12:28 am

      I love gingerbread flavor. This is perfect especially with the lemon sauce.

      Reply
    26. Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says

      January 19, 2011 at 2:46 am

      Hard sauce... oh how I love thee. GREAT recipe. This sounds absolutely amazing. The flavours pair so nicely! And you're right. There IS nothing better than coming home to cake.

      Reply
    27. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says

      January 19, 2011 at 2:52 am

      Oh my goodness, I totally forgot to make gingerbread for the holidays! Okay, I need to remedy that right away.

      Reply
    28. SaraOneTribeGourmet says

      January 19, 2011 at 3:17 am

      oh yum! I would love a piece of this gingerbread cake with warm cup of tea please! 🙂 Lovely memories! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    29. Kimberly(Unrivaledkitch) says

      January 19, 2011 at 3:30 am

      ginger anything is s favorite of mine. this looks fantastic. I'll have to bake this the next time i get around to baking

      thanks for the inspiration
      beautiful job

      Kimberly

      Reply
    30. Sandra says

      January 19, 2011 at 4:33 am

      Stunning photos, and looks so tempting and tasty as always! I love the addition of the photo when you were a kid! So cute!!!

      Reply
    31. Monet says

      January 19, 2011 at 5:09 am

      You are too cute! I loved seeing that Christmas picture...such sweet smiles...such precious little face. I cherish recipes that have memories attached to them, and I know that your own children are going to have such fond memories when they grow up. Thank you for sharing this, Lora. I hope you are having a wonderful night.

      Reply
    32. Amy Bakes Everything says

      January 19, 2011 at 11:30 am

      Love the cake with hard sauce! I think hard sauce is completely underrated and should be eaten on everything.

      Reply
    33. Stephanie says

      January 19, 2011 at 1:44 pm

      Mmm, looks yum! I bet your house smelled amazing while it baked.

      Reply
    34. Jamie says

      January 19, 2011 at 2:32 pm

      Oh you were too cute and you haven't changes a speck! I love soft, gooey gingerbread cake and lemon is the perfect accompaniment!

      Reply
    35. Carol Egbert says

      January 19, 2011 at 2:35 pm

      Gingerbread and Lemon Hard Sauce are perfect especially when the is a foot of new snow outside the kitchen. Great recipe, Thanks!

      Reply
    36. Pauline says

      January 19, 2011 at 3:56 pm

      I am spying on good gingerbread recipes - not very subtly as I appear to have a left some sticky finger prints everywhere - have saved this one. Cheers Pauline

      Reply
    37. Susan says

      January 19, 2011 at 4:00 pm

      Gingerbread brings back such memories for me! It was a favorite inexpensive and easy dessert that my Mom made for us when all the kids were still at home! Warm gingerbread with whipped cream! Your lemon sauce sounds spectacular, though! ginger and lemon complement each other beautifully!

      Reply
    38. claire says

      January 19, 2011 at 4:03 pm

      Wow this cake looks so amazing! I love the gingerbread and lemon combo too-reminds me of xmas! That sounds so amazing and the perfect treat!

      Reply
    39. C&G says

      January 19, 2011 at 6:39 pm

      It sounds amazing and it looks delicious!

      Reply
    40. Koci says

      January 19, 2011 at 7:19 pm

      I am seriously about to start drooling! Your descriptions of the gingerbread cake and hard sauce make it sound truly heavenly. Usually I just top my gingerbread treats with maple syrup, but I think I've got to give hard sauce a try!

      Reply
    41. Bridgett says

      January 20, 2011 at 12:08 am

      The lemon hard sauce sounds divine up against the flavors of the gingerbread. I love this recipe!

      Reply
    42. Magic of Spice says

      January 20, 2011 at 12:42 am

      I just love the idea of gingerbread and lemon flavors...looks so good 🙂

      Reply
    43. Raina says

      January 20, 2011 at 1:39 am

      Sounds wonderful, love the addition of the lemon hard sauce. That must put this right over the top. I love the photo of you and your brother. You look so sweet all dressed up:)

      Reply
    44. Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says

      January 20, 2011 at 3:00 am

      One of my favorite cakes. The lemon sauce sounds divine. What a perfect combination!!!

      Reply
    45. A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says

      January 20, 2011 at 2:41 pm

      Girrrrrl, I LOVE gingerbread cake. With a passion! It brings back such happy memories. THe lemon hard sauce sounds like the perfect topper!

      Reply
    46. Anonymous says

      January 20, 2011 at 10:06 pm

      I could use this after a hard day of teaching at school 🙂 It looks like a perfect winter treat!

      Reply
    47. Sandra says

      January 21, 2011 at 12:06 am

      Really good flavor combos.

      Reply
    48. Grace says

      January 21, 2011 at 12:17 am

      Lora I really enjoy when you share stories about your childhood. I've never heard of Lemon Hard Sauce. I must try it at some point. My kids would enjoy this cake very much. They both love gingerbread but aren't crazy about citrus but ice cream sounds perfect. I was the kid that would unwrap and re-wrap. With 8 kids my mother could never remember how she wrapped the gifts - I was a real stinker!

      Reply
    49. scrambledhenfruit says

      January 21, 2011 at 2:11 am

      I heart gingerbread. It was one treat that my mom made quite often, and not just at Christmas. 🙂 I can smell it now- thanks for the memories! Your gingerbread looks yummy!

      Reply
    50. A little bit of everything says

      January 21, 2011 at 3:13 am

      gingerbread cake brings back so many memories. my grandma made the best one in whole world, at least for us, the kids 🙂
      yours looks so good. I've tried simple, just dusted with powdered sugar so next time I have to make that lemon hard sauce, sounds tempting.
      thanks for sharing Lola, hope you're having a wonderful week

      Reply
    51. Mary E Schuster says

      November 07, 2022 at 12:19 pm

      This sounds amazing! I don't have a 9x9 inch pan, can I use an 8x8 and how long do I bake it?

      Reply
      • Lora says

        November 07, 2022 at 4:49 pm

        It is so good! Yes, you can, just check it around 30 minutes and see how it's going along. Every oven is different. It may be ready in 30-40 mins. Be sure to set a timer after you check it around 30 minutes (set for another 5-7 mins and check again).

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    Welcome to our Italian kitchen! We are Lora and Gabriella, the mother-daughter team behind Savoring Italy. With more than 30+ years of experience in the kitchen, Lora has had a great advantage – receiving guidance from both her husband who is an executive chef/restaurant owner and her mother who is a renowned private chef. 

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