Explore this recipe
Required Equipment
- 9x13 pan
- Saucepan
- Stand mixer
- Trifle dish
Utilized Devices
Cooking Techniques
- baking
- tempering
- whipping
- layering
Ingredients
- 195 gAll-purpose flour
- 5 gBaking soda
- 2 gGround ginger
- 2 gGround cinnamon
- 0.5 gGround cloves
- 3 gFine salt
- 110 gUnsalted butter — browned
- 110 gBrown sugar
- 160 gMolasses
- 100 gEggs
- 180 mlButtermilk
- 480 mlWhole milk
- 100 gSugar
- 80 gEgg yolks
- 24 gCornstarch
- 5 mlVanilla
- 1 gNutmeg
- 225 gMascarpone
- 240 mlHeavy cream
- 15 gPowdered sugar
- 100 gSugared cranberries
- 35 gCandied ginger — finely chopped
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Whisk flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Stir browned butter, brown sugar, molasses, eggs, and buttermilk; fold into dry ingredients.
Pour batter into a parchment-lined 9x13 pan and bake 20–22 minutes. Cool completely and cut into 1-inch cubes.
For pastry cream: simmer milk and half the sugar. Whisk yolks, remaining sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and nutmeg. Temper, cook until thick, strain, and chill with plastic wrap touching the surface.
Beat mascarpone with powdered sugar, fold in whipped cream for topping.
Layer trifle dish with gingerbread cubes, pastry cream, whipped mascarpone, sugared cranberries, and candied ginger; repeat layers ending with cream and garnish with extra cranberries.
Chef Tips
- ⭐Bake cake a day ahead so cubes slice cleanly.
- ⭐Infuse milk with orange peel before making pastry cream for extra holiday aroma.
- ⭐Chill mixing bowl before whipping cream for stable peaks.
You might also like
Peppermint Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème
Silky dark chocolate custards infused with peppermint, topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes—an elegant make-ahead dessert.
Orange-Cardamom Pavlova with Pomegranate & Pistachio
Crisp-on-the-outside pavlova topped with orange blossom cream, winter citrus, and jewel-toned pomegranate for a showy holiday dessert.
Chestnut & Sage Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash
Roasted acorn squash halves filled with herby wild rice, mushrooms, chestnuts, and tart cranberries—an easy gluten-free Christmas centerpiece.
Nutritional Highlights
- ✓Festive dessert with warm spices
- ✓Make-ahead friendly for stress-free service
- ✓Layers offer textural contrast
Dietary Notes
Compliant With
Allergens
- Contains gluten
- Contains dairy
- Contains eggs
FAQ
Can I make it alcohol-infused?
Brush cake cubes with 1/4 cup bourbon or rum before layering for a boozy twist.
How long does it hold?
Assemble up to 12 hours in advance; keep refrigerated and garnish with cranberries just before serving.
Nutrition
| Calories | 420 |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 18 g |