Description
Homemade spiced gingerbread wreath delight combines traditional holiday warmth with delicate spice blends from European bakeries. Bakers can craft this festive centerpiece with simple ingredients and classic techniques, creating memorable seasonal memories for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1.5 cups dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2.5 cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226 grams or 8 oz) molasses
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1.5 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsps powdered sugar
- 0.5 tsp ground cloves
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
- Cinnamon sticks
- Star anise
- Candied ginger slices
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch Bundt pan with butter and line with parchment paper for effortless release.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl, whisking to create a uniform spice blend.
- Butter Transformation: Cream butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition.
- Flavor Infusion: Blend molasses and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, creating a rich, aromatic base.
- Batter Assembly: Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Gently fold in baking soda to activate leavening.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Rest in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cream Decoration: Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Pipe around cake edges using a star-tipped piping bag.
- Festive Garnishing: Adorn with cinnamon sticks, star anise, candied ginger slices, and fresh rosemary sprigs. Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a wintery finish.
Notes
- Spice Calibration: Balance the ground spices carefully to prevent overpowering the gingerbread’s delicate flavor profile.
- Moisture Management: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter integration and consistent cake texture.
- Baking Precision: Check cake doneness early to avoid overbaking, which can result in a dry, crumbly texture.
- Decorative Timing: Apply whipped cream frosting just before serving to maintain optimal cream consistency and prevent wilting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 217 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 88 mg