Quick & Festive Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Recipe For Holidays

Spiced gingerbread wreath delights capture the warmth of festive kitchens with their rich, aromatic essence.

Winter celebrations dance around these circular treats, weaving memories of comfort and joy.

Robust spices like cinnamon and nutmeg reimagine simple ingredients into something magical and inviting.

Traditional baking techniques merge with creative decorative approaches, elevating this classic confection beyond ordinary desserts.

Intricate patterns and delicate icing reimagine humble dough into edible art that sparks conversation and wonder.

Crafting these wreaths requires passion, precision, and a touch of culinary creativity that connects generations.

Sweet and spicy notes intertwine, promising a sensory experience that feels like home.

Why Gingerbread Wreath Works

• Savor Spicy-Sweet Symphony: This gingerbread wreath delivers an incredible flavor explosion with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves dancing together in perfect harmony.
• Create Festive Showstopper: The elegant ring shape and decorative elements like cinnamon sticks and star anise transform this dessert into a stunning centerpiece that will impress guests at holiday gatherings.
• Enjoy Luxurious Texture Contrast: Experience the soft, moist cake interior balanced by delicate whipped cream frosting, providing a delightful interplay of smooth and light textures that melt in your mouth.
• Master Easy Baking Adventure: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels to craft a professional-looking dessert without stress or complicated techniques.

What’s in the Gingerbread Wreath

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft, fine base that provides structure and texture to the gingerbread cake.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake achieve a tender crumb and enhances browning.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, Ground Nutmeg: Warm, aromatic spices that create the classic gingerbread flavor profile and provide depth to the cake.

• Butter: Softened, unsalted butter adds richness and a smooth, creamy texture.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Provides moisture, deep caramel-like sweetness, and a darker color to the cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and richness.
• Molasses: Gives a deep, robust sweetness and characteristic dark color to gingerbread.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, complex sweetness and rounds out the flavor.
• Buttermilk: Adds tenderness and a slight tanginess to the cake.

• Heavy Cream: Whipped to create a light, airy frosting with a luxurious texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream.
• Cinnamon Sticks, Star Anise, Candied Ginger Slices, Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: Decorative elements that enhance visual appeal and provide additional flavor and aroma.

Create a Gingerbread Wreath

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch Bundt pan and line with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Ground ginger
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and dark brown sugar until fluffy and light. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 4: Incorporate Liquid Flavors

Gently stir molasses and vanilla extract into the creamy butter mixture until well combined.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Start and end with dry ingredients. Fold in baking soda last.

Step 6: Bake Gingerbread

Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

Step 7: Whip Cream Frosting

In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

Step 8: Decorate Wreath Cake

• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise
• Candied ginger slices
• Fresh rosemary sprigs

Finish by dusting with powdered sugar.

Gingerbread Wreath Tips

• Perfect Flour Measurement: Spoon flour into measuring cups gently and level off with a knife to avoid dense, heavy cake.
• Activate Spice Flavors: Warm spices like ginger and cinnamon in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mixing to enhance their aromatic profile.
• Monitor Moisture Balance: Use room temperature buttermilk and eggs to create a smooth, even batter that prevents dry or crumbly texture.
• Check Cake Doneness: Insert a toothpick at a slight angle near the center to ensure accurate testing without creating large holes in the cake.
• Whip Cream Like a Pro: Chill your mixing bowl and whisk beforehand to help heavy cream reach stiff, stable peaks faster and maintain structure.

Store and Serve Wreath Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store leftover gingerbread cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
• Freeze: Slice the cake before freezing for easier portioning. Place individual slices in freezer-safe bags or containers, separating layers with parchment paper. Frozen cake maintains quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheat: Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for best flavor. Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Top with fresh whipped cream after reheating to refresh the dessert's appearance and taste.

What Pairs with Gingerbread Wreath

• Pair with Warming Winter Whiskey: Complement the rich gingerbread flavors with a smooth bourbon or spiced whiskey that echoes the cake's warm spice profile.
• Match with Creamy Chai Latte: Enhance the dessert's aromatic spices by serving alongside a hot chai tea with steamed milk, creating a cozy flavor harmony.
• Serve with Caramel Apple Cider: The sweet-tart notes of mulled apple cider will beautifully balance the dense, spicy cake and provide a festive holiday beverage experience.
• Accompany with Dark Chocolate Port: A rich, slightly sweet port wine will highlight the cake's deep molasses undertones and provide a luxurious dessert pairing.

Gingerbread Wreath Variations

• Winter Wonderland Wreath: Transform the gingerbread cake by adding white chocolate shavings and edible silver pearls for a frosty, elegant look that captures winter's magical essence.
• Nutty Harvest Celebration: Incorporate toasted pecans and walnuts into the batter, then garnish with caramelized nut clusters and a drizzle of warm maple syrup for a rich, autumnal flavor profile.
• Spiced Chocolate Embrace: Mix dark cocoa powder into the dry ingredients and top with chocolate ganache, sprinkled with crushed peppermint candies for a decadent, festive version of the original recipe.
• Citrus Ginger Fusion: Fold orange zest and candied orange peel into the batter, then create a citrus glaze with fresh orange juice and garnish with thin orange slices and crystallized ginger for a bright, zesty rendition.

Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Delight Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Delight brings holiday warmth with classic German flavors and intricate design. Molasses, cinnamon, and ginger weave through this festive bread, inviting friends and family to gather around a delicious centerpiece.

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Ingredients

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Flour and Dry Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients and Sweeteners:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1.5 cups dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Whipped Cream and Garnishes:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise
• Candied ginger slices
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Meticulously coat a 9-inch Bundt or ring-shaped pan with butter and line with parchment paper to ensure effortless cake removal.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt, creating a harmonious blend of aromatic spices.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream softened unsalted butter and dark brown sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
4. Gently fold molasses and pure vanilla extract into the creamy butter mixture, allowing the rich, deep flavors to meld seamlessly.
5. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Begin and conclude with the dry ingredients. Delicately stir in baking soda to activate the leavening process.
6. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and dry.
7. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack. Permit the cake to cool completely, enabling its flavors to develop and intensify.
8. In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff, glossy peaks form, creating a luxurious frosting.
9. Artfully pipe the whipped cream around the cake’s edges using a star-shaped piping tip. Embellish with cinnamon sticks, star anise, candied ginger slices, and fresh rosemary sprigs for a festive presentation.
10. Finish by delicately dusting the decorated cake with a light layer of powdered sugar, creating a wintery, elegant appearance.

Notes

• Create this festive gingerbread wreath during holiday seasons for a stunning centerpiece dessert that combines warm spices and elegant decoration.
• Handle molasses carefully as it can be sticky and measure precisely to achieve the perfect rich, deep flavor characteristic of traditional gingerbread.
• Choose high-quality ground spices like fresh ginger and cinnamon to enhance the cake’s aromatic complexity and ensure a vibrant taste profile.
• Allow cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent whipped cream from melting and maintain the beautiful decorative piping design.
• Garnish with edible botanical elements like rosemary and star anise for a sophisticated, rustic presentation that elevates the dessert’s visual appeal.
• Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days to preserve moisture and spice intensity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 418 kcal
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg