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Sticky Cranberry Gingerbread Recipe

4.8 from 58 reviews

This Sticky Cranberry Gingerbread is a fragrant and moist holiday treat, packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, complemented by tart cranberries and optional crunchy nuts. The molasses adds a rich depth of flavor and a sticky, dense texture perfect for festive gatherings. Serve it with whipped cream or crème fraîche for an indulgent finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 2 large eggs

Add-Ins

  • 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

For Serving

  • Whipped cream or crème fraîche

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the gingerbread.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
  4. Add Molasses and Eggs: Incorporate the molasses and eggs into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix well to combine all the wet ingredients uniformly.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can make the gingerbread dense.
  6. Add Cranberries and Nuts: Gently fold in the fresh or dried cranberries and chopped nuts if using, evenly distributing them throughout the batter.
  7. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the gingerbread is fully cooked.
  9. Cool: Remove the gingerbread from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the baking dish. This helps the flavors to set and makes slicing easier.
  10. Serve: Serve at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche for a creamy, tangy contrast to the spiced gingerbread.

Notes

  • For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped nuts.
  • Use dried cranberries if fresh ones are not available; no need to thaw before using.
  • Ensure butter is softened for easier creaming and better texture.
  • The gingerbread can be stored in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat slices slightly before serving if preferred warm.

Keywords: gingerbread recipe, cranberry gingerbread, holiday dessert, spiced cake, molasses gingerbread