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–+ servings
Gingerbread cake squares stacked on a red and white striped Christmas plate.

Frank Sinatra's Favorite Gingerbread Cake Squares Recipe

This gingerbread cake recipe combines the old-fashioned flavor of molasses with the warming spices of cinnamon and ginger in a moist and fluffy texture that tastes like the holidays!
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Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup lard
  • ½ cup boiling water
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 2-½ cups all purpose flour sifted
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom and sides of an 8x8 baking pan.
  • Measure lard and place in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add hot water and stir until melted and throughly combined.
  • Stir in molasses and mix.
  • In a separate bowl, sift flour once, then add ginger, cinnamon, and baking soda.
  • Sift flour mixture again, 3 times.
  • Add flour mixture to the shortening/molasses mixture and stir until flour is moistened. Then beat by hand with a wooden spoon for one minute, until mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Pour into the greased baking pan and bake in the center of the oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick or cake tester placed in the center comes out clean and dry.
  • Cool for 10-15 minutes. Remove from cake pan, cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Tips for baking:
    • Sift the flour multiple times. It may be tempting to skip this step, but sifting ensures a smooth consistency to the flour while incorporating air into it for a light and fluffy cake texture.
    • Use fresh spices and baking soda. If you don't bake often, ingredients in your baking cabinet may be past their expiration dates. To ensure fresh and potent flavor and proper rise, make sure your items are not stale.
    • Light molasses is what you should use in this recipe. Molasses is not a terribly common ingredient, so be sure you choose the correct one. 
    • Use a wooden toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness before removing cake. It should come out clean from the center of the cake, with no residue. Mrs. Sinatra said to bake for approximately 25 minutes, but it took about 35 minutes in my oven, so keep your eyes on it. 
Serving suggestions:
Serve warm with apple sauce, stewed fruit, apple butter, jam, or whipped cream cheese. If you prefer to serve it at room temperature, you can sprinkle the top with a bit of powdered sugar for a snow-capped look.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 199mgPotassium: 426mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 76IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!