This Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cake is delicious, flavorful, soft, and moist. It’s perfect for the holiday season and Christmas treats!

Gluten-Free Ginger Bread

The holidays are the perfect time to fill your kitchen with the cozy flavor of gingerbread, and this gluten-free gingerbread cake is a delicious way to celebrate the season. Inspired by traditional German gingerbread spice that my family used to use for our gingerbread cake and cookies recipe, this cake combines warm spices, rich flavor, and a moist crumb for a treat that’s perfect alongside a cup of coffee.

German Gingerbread Spice Mix, elevates this classic treat into something unforgettable. If you’re looking for a gluten-free dessert that doesn’t sacrifice taste or texture, you’re in for a real treat with this gluten-free gingerbread cake.

Polish Gingerbread Traditions

Poland’s love affair with gingerbread, or pierrnik, goes back centuries. It is one of our favorite Christmas desserts. Some of our traditional ginger cakes are made 2 months ahead of time, and they age. Then baked right before holidays.

The Polish city of Toruń is famous for its gingerbread cookies and other bakes. You can take gingerbread baking classes, which are fun, especially for the children. Known as Torunskier pierniki, these gingerbread cookies are often shaped into intricate designs or stamped with ornate patterns. Families would gather during long winter evenings to create these edible masterpieces. Each batch made memories as unique as the gingerbread recipes themselves.

Today, Polish gingerbread is a staple during festive gatherings and is often paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea to brighten cold days. If you’re inspired to explore more holiday treats, consider browsing the Christmas Archives for additional recipes and seasonal ideas.

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German Gingerbread Spice: The Heart of Flavor

German gingerbread spice is bold with warm notes that define the classic flavors we associate with the holiday season. This blend of spices elevates gingerbread cakes and cookies with an aroma that instantly makes any setting feel more festive. While you can find pre-made mixes for gingerbread spice in some specialty stores, making your own is always a healthier way to go. It also allows you to fine-tune the flavors to suit your taste.

Main Ingredients For Gingerbread Cake

Gluten-Free Flour

The foundation of this cake is a blend of gluten-free flours that ensure a tender, moist crumb without compromising structure. I used a trusted gluten-free flour blend like Bob’s Red Mill, which creates a light and fluffy texture. If your flour mix contains xanthan gum, which binds the ingredients, mimicking the elasticity that gluten typically provides, you do not need to add one.

Blackstrap Molasses

Molasses is the heart of any classic gingerbread recipe. It brings all the spices together. Blackstrap molasses is a deep and earthy sweetener that adds complexity and a slightly smoky undertone to the cake. Blackstrap molasses also gives the batter a dark, rich color, giving the cake its signature appearance.

Honey

Honey adds a floral sweetness to the cake, softening the boldness of the molasses. Its natural ability to retain moisture helps create the luscious texture that sets this gingerbread cake apart.

German Gingerbread Spice

The star of the show, German gingerbread spice (Lebkuchengewürz), is a fragrant blend of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and sometimes a hint of star anise or coriander. This aromatic mixture infuses every bite with the unmistakable essence of the holiday season, reminiscent of traditional European Christmas markets.

Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener with a subtle caramel-like flavor, enhancing the cake’s depth. You can also use brown sugar instead.

Butter

Butter adds richness and a creamy flavor to the cake. For a dairy-free option, you can easily substitute it with vegan butter, maintaining the same luxurious texture and moist.

Maple Syrup

Maple syrup lends a delicate sweetness and a hint of woodsy flavor that complements the spices beautifully. Its liquid consistency also contributes to the cake’s moist, tender texture.

Instructions for Making the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch square baking pan or loaf with parchment paper, then set it aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: gluten-free flour, xanthan gum if you are using it, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and coconut sugar. Whisk thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed. Break up any lumps, and mix well.
Create a well in the center of the dry mixture. Add the wet ingredients: molasses, maple syrup, honey, melted butter, egg, water, and oil. Stir it with a wooden spatula until the batter is smooth and thick.
Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, whether a bund pan, loaf pan, or classic cake pan. Use a moistened spatula to smooth the surface.
Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
Remove the pan from the oven. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

A Creamy Finish

This gluten-free gingerbread cake deserves a frosting as special as its spice blend. A simple cream cheese frosting is made with powdered sugar, but you can use erythritol if you do not want to add more sugar to your dessert. I used cream fraise with erythritol and whipped it. Use plant-based cream cheese, coconut milk, or macadamia cinnamon glaze for a dairy-free option. Drizzle it over the top of the cake for an irresistible holiday presentation.

Storage Tips

Store your gingerbread cake in an airtight container, wrapping leftovers in plastic wrap to preserve its moist crumb. The cake stays fresh for several days, making it an excellent make-ahead option for the holiday season.

Dairy-Free Substitutes

Butter Substitute
- Use coconut oil or vegan butter as a 1:1 replacement for traditional butter. Coconut oil adds a slight tropical note, while vegan butter mimics the creamy texture of dairy butter.
- Avocado oil is also a great optionfor a neutral flavor and moist crumb.
Cream Cheese Glaze Substitute
- Opt for a dairy-free cream cheese, macadamia cinnamon glaze, cashew sauce, and coconut yogurt with a dash of cinnamon or coconut cream.
Milk or Cream Substitute
- Replace any milk or cream in the recipe with coconut or nut milk.

The Key to Egg-Free Baking

This recipe uses a flax egg as a natural and effective binder instead of eggs. Flax eggs (made from ground flaxseed and water) mimic the texture and binding power of eggs while keeping the recipe vegan-friendly.

Flax Egg: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water per egg. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes gel-like.

The combination of gluten-free flour and a flax egg ensures the cake batter holds together and bakes into a fluffy texture.

Can you Replace any Sugar in This Recipe

Yes, you could, but every sugar in this recipe plays a role in flavor, so it might taste different. Here are some substitution options for the sugars:

Replace Coconut Sugar

Brown Sugar: Use an equal amount of brown sugar for a similar caramel-like flavor, though it will be slightly sweeter.
Date Sugar: Provides a natural sweetness and a hint of fruitiness, though it may darken the cake more.

Replace Maple Syrup

Agave Syrup: Offers a mild, neutral sweetness with a similar liquid consistency.
Honey: Adds floral undertones and works well for binding, though it’s slightly sweeter than maple syrup.

Replace Blackstrap Molasses

Regular Molasses: A milder option with a sweeter taste while still keeping the gingerbread flavor.
Maple Syrup: If you prefer a less intense molasses flavor, you can swap it out for these, but the cake may lose some of its classic richness.

Things to Consider

When reducing or swapping sugars, monitor the moisture content in the batter. Liquid sweeteners like honey or agave add moisture, while dry substitutes like erythritol may require adding a tablespoon or two of extra liquid (such as water or milk).
The flavor may shift slightly with different sweeteners, but the gingerbread spices and molasses will still give the cake its signature cozy flavor.

Pairing Suggestions

Classic Coffee: A cup of coffee brings out the sweetness of the cake, making each bite stand out. The slight bitterness of coffee beautifully contrasts with the cake’s molasses-rich flavor.
Homemade Eggnog: Creamy and spiced eggnog works perfectly with the warm notes of gingerbread spice. Try a Homemade Eggnog (Polish Way) for a traditional holiday vibe.
Hot Chocolate: A rich and creamy mug of hot cocoa is always great with cake! It just pairs wonderfully with the bold spices, offering a decadent treat.
Pear Mulled Wine: For a sophisticated pairing, warm up with a comforting Pear Mulled Wine. Its fruity and spiced profile enhances the flavors of ginger and cinnamon.
Spiced Herbal Tea: A chai blend or other spicy herbal tea matches the cake’s cozy spices without overpowering them.
Ginger Apple Mocktail: Light and refreshing, this Ginger Apple Moscow Mule Mocktail offers a zesty, fruity take on classic holiday drinks.

Equipment

Spatula

Mixing bowl

As you bake, remember, it’s not just about the result—it’s about the joy of sharing something special with loved ones. Why not start a new tradition this year? So enjoy this cake!

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