Gingerbread Village Cake – Easy & Decadent Christmas Dessert

Every December, my kitchen smells like nostalgia. Cinnamon and ginger float through the air while carols hum softly in the background. This Gingerbread Village Cake captures that cozy Christmas feeling rich with molasses, tender with sour cream, and crowned with creamy maple frosting. It’s an easy Christmas dessert that looks like a bakery showpiece yet feels like home.

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Village Cake

This festive holiday cake is all about warmth and comfort. Each bite carries the deep sweetness of molasses and the toasty perfume of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. The crumb stays moist from sour cream and buttermilk, while the Festive Food Cake Mix adds bursts of chewy fruit and a nutty surprise. Despite its impressive look, this recipe is beginner-friendly. The layers bake evenly, the frosting spreads beautifully, and your kitchen will smell like a storybook Christmas village.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Gingerbread Cake

You’ll start with 180g of salted butter for rich flavor and structure. Brown sugar adds caramel depth, while molasses brings that unmistakable gingerbread richness. Sour cream and buttermilk keep the cake soft and tender. The spice blend ginger, cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, and cloves gives the cake its soul. The Festive Food Cake Mix folds in festive fruit and nuts, adding chewy sweetness and a hint of almond. Lastly, toasted pecans add a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft sponge.

For the Maple Frosting

The frosting is a simple blend of butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and maple syrup. It’s silky, sweet, and just tangy enough to balance the spice. If you’re out of maple syrup, honey makes a lovely stand-in. Once beaten together, the frosting turns creamy and spreadable perfect for layering and decorating.

How to Make a Gingerbread Village Cake

Step 1 – Prepare and Preheat

Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C. Line three 20cm round tins with parchment for easy release. Make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature this ensures a smooth, even batter later on.

Step 2 – Mix the Batter

Cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step builds air into your batter. Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the molasses, sour cream, and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the spices. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense, so mix only until the flour disappears.

Step 3 – Fold in Fruit and Nuts

Now it’s time to add texture. Fold in the Festive Food Cake Mix and chopped pecans. The fruit mix brings tiny bites of sweetness, while the pecans add a rustic crunch. Each slice will have something a little different soft fruit, warm spice, and nutty richness.

Step 4 – Bake the Layers

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared tins. Bake for 25–27 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for ten minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and prevents breaking.

Step 5 – Make the Maple Frosting

While the cakes cool, beat the butter until it’s pale and fluffy. Add the cream cheese, vanilla, and maple syrup, and beat again until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar, then whip until everything comes together in a creamy, spreadable frosting. The scent alone will make you smile.

Step 6 – Assemble and Decorate

Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread about a quarter cup of frosting on top. Repeat with the next two layers, then frost the top and sides completely. To create the “village” look, decorate with iced gingerbread biscuits little houses, stars, or trees work perfectly. For a snowy touch, dust lightly with icing sugar or sprinkle with edible glitter.

Expert Tips for Perfect Results

Use room-temperature ingredients for an even batter and smooth frosting. Always sift your dry ingredients to prevent lumps. To keep layers level, divide the batter by weight before baking. Chill the frosted cake for 30 minutes before serving to help it set neatly. For a twist, try adding orange zest to the batter or swapping pecans for rum-soaked fruit.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This cake serves 12–14 people, making it ideal for family gatherings. Pair it with hot cocoa, mulled wine, or freshly brewed coffee for a comforting holiday dessert. Store leftovers in the fridge, covered, for up to four days it actually tastes richer the next day. You can also bake the layers ahead of time and frost them closer to serving.

Variations and Decorating Ideas

Turn the recipe into mini cakes or cupcakes for a charming dessert table. For a rustic look, skip the full frosting and go for a “naked” cake style, letting the golden sponge peek through. You could even shape the layers into a bundt cake and drizzle with maple glaze instead of frosting. For extra fun, build a tiny gingerbread village scene on top with sugar-dusted trees and cookie cottages.

More Such Recipes

• Soft Pumpkin Snickerdoodles for Holiday Cookie Trays
• Crumbl Pumpkin Pie Cookies with Festive Spice
• Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes for Individual Holiday Treats
• Maple Glazed Apple Blondies for Cozy Winter Desserts
• Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe with Classic Holiday Flavors
• Easy Cherry Pie Bars for Christmas Potlucks
• Peppermint Bark Brownies for a Festive Dessert Table

Conclusion

The Gingerbread Village Cake isn’t just a dessert it’s the heart of your Christmas table. Every layer celebrates the season’s warmth, from the aromatic spices to the creamy maple frosting. Whether you bake it for a party or a cozy evening at home, it brings joy in every slice. Share it, savor it, and make it part of your holiday tradition.

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