There’s something magical about a dessert that not only tastes amazing but also takes center stage on your holiday table. I was completely inspired by two stunning Rustic Wood Gingerbread Village Tiered Cake Stand, Set of 2. They immediately sparked the idea to create a 2-layer 8-inch gingerbread spice cake that is just as visually stunning. With its rich layers of moist, spiced cake and creamy frosting, this cake is a true holiday showstopper that will wow guests and bring that cozy, festive feeling (and smell) to your home.
In this post, I’ll share:
- Ingredients and instructions for the cake and frosting
- Tips for making them extra moist
- Decorating ideas to highlight the cake stands and make your dessert display unforgettable
Ingredients
For the Cake (makes 2 cakes to layer)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (1-½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup molasses
- ¾ cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- ¼ cup hot apple cider (or warm milk for a milder flavor)
For the Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
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¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Optional Decorations
- Gingerbread cookies (mini houses, stars, or trees)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds
- Edible gold dust or glitter
- Crushed gingerbread crumbs
- Rosemary sprigs for trees
Instructions
1. Prep
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease and flour two 8-inch springform cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper (optional).
2. Make the Cake Batter
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Whisk together dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt).
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In a separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
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Mix in molasses, vanilla, and sour cream until smooth.
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Gradually add dry ingredients alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry.
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Stir in hot apple cider (or warm milk) to keep the cake moist and enhance the spice flavors.
3. Bake
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Divide batter evenly among the two 8" springform pans (approximately 28 ounces or 795 grams per pan).
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Bake 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
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Cool 10 minutes in pans, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Once mostly cooled, I placed my cakes in the freezer to stiffen them up before leveling and frosting in step 5.
4. Make the Frosting
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Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
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Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well.
- Stir in vanilla and optional cinnamon.
5. Assemble the Cakes
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Level layers if needed.
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Place the first layer of a cake on a cake board or serving platter, frost evenly. I added a bit of extra frosting on top, so there would be more frosting in the middle of the layers.
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Stack the second layer and frost the top and sides smoothly.
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Optional: Brush each layer with simple syrup to lock in extra moisture.
6. Decorate for a Showstopper Display
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Arrange the cakes on your gingerbread cake stands to give height and drama to your holiday table.
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Drizzle frosting, add gingerbread cookies, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, or edible glitter to highlight each tier.
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Sprinkle crushed gingerbread crumbs around the base for extra festive flair.
- Use upside down rosemary sprigs on top of your cake to create trees.
Tips for Maximum Moisture & Stability
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Don’t overbake: Check the cakes a few minutes early—slightly soft centers make for a moist cake.
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Room temperature ingredients: Eggs and dairy should be at room temp for better texture.
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Support the layers: If transporting, insert cake dowels into the bottom layer for stability.
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Chill before decorating: Makes frosting and decoration easier to handle.
This two 2-layer gingerbread spice cake isn’t just a dessert, it's a holiday showpiece. Thanks to the inspiration from the Rustic Wood Gingerbread Village Tiered Cake Stand, Set of 2, they have height, drama, and festive charm, while remaining rich, moist, and full of cozy spice flavors. Whether for family gatherings or a holiday party, these cakes will wow everyone and make your holiday table unforgettable. For more festive tiered display inspiration, take a look at these:
- Peppermint 3-Tier Tree Stand
- Distressed Iron Intricate Cut Out Round Display Stands, Set of 3
- Wood and Metal Tiered Swivel Tray
- Gingerbread 3-Tier Stand (Coming soon!)
If you're looking to make your home just as festive as your holiday table, be sure to check out the Decor Steals Holiday Collection for more inspiring home decor pieces that bring warmth and cheer to every room. And for even more creative ideas, recipes, DIY projects, and styling tips, don’t forget to explore the Decor Steals Journal, it’s your go-to resource for making every holiday moment beautiful and memorable.