Ingredients
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– ½ tsp ground nutmeg
– ½ tsp salt
– 1 tsp baking soda
– ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1 cup molasses
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup hot water
– 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
– ½ cup molasses (for frosting)
– 2 tbsp butter, softened (for frosting)
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowls
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Electric mixer (or a whisk and some elbow grease!)
– 9×13 inch baking pan
– Cooling rack
– Spatula
– Sifter (optional for the powdered sugar)
Step-by-Step Instructions
To kick things off, I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, in a large mixing bowl, I whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda. It’s truly one of my favorite parts—watching the spices blend creates a lovely, fragrant cloud. While that’s doing its thing, I beat the softened butter and brown sugar together in another bowl until it’s all creamy and delightful. Adding the molasses and eggs follows, and oh, the color is just beautiful! It’s rich and dark, promising flavor. Then, I gradually add in the flour mixture, alternating with hot water until it’s a smooth batter. (See the next page below to continue steps…)
