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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Cake Recipes

    Published: Nov 29, 2020 · Modified: Feb 8, 2021 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

    Gingerbread Forest Cake

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    A photo collage of an easy Gingerbread Forest Cake made in a bundt pan with confectioners sugar dusting and faux trees and deer along with a title text overlay graphic.
    A closeup vertical photo of a Gingerbread Forest Cake on a blue and white background with a blue paint swatch and a title text overlay graphic.

    This whimsical Gingerbread Forest Cake can serve double duty as a centerpiece on your holiday table, and your delicious holiday dessert! It's impressive, yet super easy to make.

    A Gingerbread Forest Cake with confectioners sugar dusting and tall trees with deer.

    I'm hoping this fun recipe for this snow-covered Gingerbread Forest Cake will inspire you to play with your food this holiday season.  

    This charming holiday gingerbread cake will delight both young and old alike.  

    **Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Gingerbread Forest Cake is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.

    This recipe was originally shared in 2014. This post has been updated with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information, but the recipe itself has remained unchanged.

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    A photo collage of an easy Gingerbread Forest Cake made in a bundt pan with confectioners sugar dusting and faux trees and deer along with a title text overlay graphic.

    The ingredient list:

    **Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

    • all-purpose flour
    • ground ginger
    • ground cinnamon
    • kosher salt
    • baking powder
    • baking soda
    • butter
    • boiling water
    • dark brown sugar
    • molasses
    • eggs
    • ginger paste
    • pure vanilla extract
    • confectioners sugar
    • plastic deer or other assorted animals
    • tall trees or bottle- brush trees

    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    • mixing bowls
    • whisk
    • spatula
    • large glass measuring cup
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • bundt pan
    • baking spray
    • sugar shaker or sieve
    • wire cutters (optional for trimming trees)
    • cooling rack

    How this gingerbread forest cake came to be:

    Many years ago I did something similar to this Gingerbread Mountain Cake and used it for our Christmas eve centerpiece.

    This year I knew that I wanted to recreate the design but in a simpler way. Below is a picture of the one I had done previously.

     
    The original inspiration for the Gingerbread forest cake.

    I loved the bottle brush trees that I used on the cake pictured above.

    This year, however, I found the tall trees that I thought would make a very fun and dramatic statement, so I decided to use them in place of the bottle brush trees.

    The choice is yours, of course. Use what you have, or use whatever type of trees you see fit for your gingerbread forest cake.

    A photo collage of two types of Gingerbread Forest Cake along with a title text overlay graphic.

    If this Snow Covered Gingerbread Forest Cake is something you're interested in replicating, you can find the tall, snow-covered trees, along with little plastic deer, in the toy train department of your local hobby and craft store. And you can easily purchase them on-line. 

    From there, the rest is left up to your imagination.

    Or, you can even make the gingerbread cake without the forest embellishment, as it is a delicious cake all on its own!

    How to make a gingerbread forest cake:

    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
    • Pour the boiling water over the butter and allow the butter to melt completely.
    • Transfer the butter/water mixture to a medium bowl, and whisk in the light brown sugar, molasses, ginger paste, and vanilla extract.
    • Add the eggs to the wet ingredients and whisk well to combine.
    • Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk well to combine.
    • Pour the batter evenly into a prepared bundt pan.
    • Bake for 50-60 minutes.
    • Cool completely.
    • Dust with powdered sugar and decorate with trees and deer.
     

    Special Note about cutting the trees and decorating the cake:

    Depending on the kind of trees you choose to work with, wire cutters may be needed.  

    Be careful cutting the branches of the trees and do not let children attempt this task unless supervised by an adult.  

    Hand strength is required so little children should not be allowed to cut the trees.

    Can this holiday bundt cake be made in advance?

    Yes!

    You can make this up to 2 days in advance of serving, and store it, covered, in the refrigerator.

    For best flavor, allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving.

    Serving suggestions:

    You can either serve it plain, or with the following toppings.

    • whipped cream
    • ice cream (your favorite flavor)
    • caramel sauce
    • chocolate sauce
    • crushed gingersnap cookies to gild the lily

    Additional whimsical Christmas recipes:

    *Gingerbread House Recipe and Full Tutorial (shown below)

    This Gingerbread House Recipe and Tutorial is a comprehensive instruction along with tips and tricks so you can learn from our successes, as well as our mistakes.

    A cute decorated Gingerbread House Recipe and Tutorial using peppermint sticks, royal icing, pretzels, and gum drops.

    *Rudolph the BREAD-Nosed Reindeer (pictured below)

    Give your homemade bread baking skills a whimsical twist by making this Whole Wheat Rudolph the Bread-Nosed Reindeer. Or, you can use store-bought frozen bread dough and follow the instructions for forming and shaping.

    Whole Wheat Rudolph shaped bread on a wooden board

    *Grinch Guacamole (shown below)

    With a few simple ingredients and some easy instructions, you can warm the hearts of your family and friends with this gloriously easy to make realistic looking Grinch Guacamole. 

    An overhead photo of a Grinch Guacamole Dip on a platter with crackers and a plaid tablecloth

    *Gingerbread Mountain Cake (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!

    A closeup vertical photo of a Gingerbread Forest Cake on a blue and white background with a blue paint swatch and a title text overlay graphic.

    Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's easy gingerbread bundt cake recipe.

    When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!

     

    Printable Recipe Card

    A closeup of a gingerbread forest cake with faux trees and deer

    Gingerbread Forest Cake

    Renee Goerger
    This whimsical Gingerbread Forest Cake can serve double duty as a centerpiece on your holiday table and your delicious holiday dessert! It's impressive yet super easy to make.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course cake
    Cuisine Christmas
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 321 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 cup 2 sticks butter, cut into ½" pieces
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
    • 1 cup molasses
    • 2 large eggs beaten
    • 1 tablespoon ginger paste found in the fresh herb section of the produce department
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • confectioners sugar for garnish
    • Assorted trees and plastic deer for decorating optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, pour the boiling water over the cut-up butter. Whisk in the light brown sugar, molasses, ginger paste, and vanilla extract.
    • Add the eggs to the wet ingredients and whisk to combine.
    • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk well to combine.
    • Pour the gingerbread batter evenly into a prepared bundt pan sprayed with baking spray.
    • Bake in a preheated oven for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • Remove to a wire rack. Cool 15 minutes and carefully turn the cake out of the pan to cool completely.
    • Place the cake on a serving plate and dust the top with confectioner's sugar.
    • Decorate the gingerbread mountain with assorted trees and deer.
    • *Note - The decorations are NOT edible! Please remove the trees and animals before slicing and eating!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 321kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 7gFat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 530mgFiber: 1gSugar: 46g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

     

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy gingerbread bundt cake recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

     
     

     
     
     
     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      November 30, 2020 at 11:45 am

      You are so clever with all your ideas, I'm sure everyone is excited to see what you create for Christmas each year.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        November 30, 2020 at 2:51 pm

        You are so very sweet, Karen! Thank you. As a matter of fact, I do have some fun ideas up my sleeve for this year.
        Stay tuned!
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Denay DeGuzman says

      November 29, 2020 at 12:16 pm

      This is the cutest gingerbread cake I've seen all season! It's beautiful!

      Reply
    3. Angela {Mind Over Batter} says

      December 18, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      This is your centerpiece?! IT IS breathtaking!! So whimsical. So beautiful! I'd slap anyone's hand who'd try to eat it. LOL.

      Reply
    4. Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says

      December 15, 2014 at 12:19 pm

      Renee - this is stunning!!! What a gorgeous centerpiece for Christmas!

      Reply
    5. Katerina @ Diethood says

      December 14, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      That's your centerpiece?! How beautiful!! I want a seat at your Christmas table!!

      Reply
    6. Erin Dee says

      December 13, 2014 at 6:35 pm

      Wow. This is impressive! It looks absolutely amazing. And so much better than the candle I put out as decoration. 😉

      Reply
    7. The Food Hunter says

      December 13, 2014 at 1:20 am

      Very impressive!

      Reply
    8. Nancy Piran says

      December 13, 2014 at 1:52 am

      This is such a great idea! So festive and I bet the cake is amazing!

      Reply
    9. Brenda@SugarFreeMom says

      December 12, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      The cake is so whimsical, I love it!

      Reply
    10. Paula-bell'alimento says

      December 12, 2014 at 6:33 pm

      What a gorgeous Christmas dessert!

      Reply
    11. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says

      December 12, 2014 at 5:39 pm

      I *love* it! What a gorgeous presentation, Renee! I much prefer the tall trees because they're elegant, yet haunting.

      Reply
    12. Martha @ A Family Feast says

      December 12, 2014 at 5:35 pm

      This cake absolutely looks great - and I LOVE how you've decorated it!

      Reply
    13. Cookin' Canuck says

      December 12, 2014 at 5:29 pm

      That is just so darn pretty, Renee! What a special dessert for the Christmas table.

      Reply
    14. Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says

      December 12, 2014 at 4:17 pm

      I absolutely adore this, Renee! I prefer these trees (though I like the bottle brush ones, too) - I love how the deer look like they are in a winter forest. So pretty.

      Reply
    15. Sue/the view from great island says

      December 12, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      This is magical, I would love to have it on my holiday dessert table!

      Reply
    16. Beth Baumgartner says

      December 12, 2014 at 1:11 pm

      This is SO cute!!!

      Reply
    17. Paula says

      December 12, 2014 at 11:31 am

      This is quite pretty Renee as was your own version you did years ago. They both make nice centerpieces and great conversation starters!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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