Gingerbread Cake with Cognac Glaze Recipe | Tasting Table
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
1 hour
Servings:
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup unsulfured molasses
  • ½ cup freshly brewed coffee
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened natural cocoa powder
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
  • Finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon
  • ⅓ cup grapeseed oil
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cognac
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
  • Pinch of salt
Directions
  1. Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 325°. Spray the bottom and sides of a pudding pan or Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray.
  2. In a medium saucepot, bring the molasses, coffee and water to a boil. Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the baking soda. Set aside to cool slightly, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, salt and black pepper. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, fresh ginger, lemon zest and grapeseed oil. Gradually whisk in the reserved molasses mixture and flour mixture a third at a time, alternating until the mixture is just combined.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place in the oven. Bake until a tester comes out clean, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Place the cake on a cooling rack and let cool in the baking pan for 5 minutes. Carefully turn the cake out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
  6. Make the cognac glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, cognac, water, vanilla-bean seeds and a pinch of salt until smooth. Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and serve.