Warm Molasses Spice Cake with Maple Glaze
Soft and fragrant molasses spice cake infused with cinnamon and ginger, topped with a sweet maple glaze for a cozy dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, then lightly flour it.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly blended.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Step 4: Add 2 large eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition.
- Step 5: Mix in 1/2 cup molasses and 1 tsp vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Step 6: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 1/2 cup buttermilk to the wet ingredients in three additions, starting and ending with the flour mixture; mix on low speed just until combined after each addition.
- Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 8: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
- Step 9: While the cake cools in the pan for 15 minutes, prepare the maple glaze by whisking together 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, and 2 tbsp milk until smooth and pourable.
- Step 10: Remove the cake from the pan onto a wire rack, then drizzle the warm maple glaze evenly over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
- Step 11: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Warm Molasses Spice Cake with Maple Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Warm Molasses Spice Cake with Maple Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Warm Molasses Spice Cake with Maple Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Warm Molasses Spice Cake with Maple Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Warm Molasses Spice Cake with Maple Glaze?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
