When you think of gingerbread cake, you’ll remember Christmas and other festive holidays with your friends and family. Do you know that you can make a gingerbread cake mix recipe beforehand to give as a gift or use for yourself in the future?
A jar of gingerbread cake mix includes several dry ingredients such as flour, milk powder, and spices. Mix that with eggs, molasses, and water, and you’ll have a super moist gingerbread cake that everyone loves!
Gingerbread Cake Mix To Give Or Bake
Making this gingerbread cake mix recipe in a jar is a creative way to give as a gift to your loved ones during the holidays. You can put a ribbon as a decoration or include a tag with instructions to show a simple gingerbread cake recipe. Besides that, you can also stock up jars of gingerbread cake mix to use in the future whenever you feel like baking.
If you have a small pantry, you’ll love this ready-to-use gingerbread cake mix. You’ll only need a jar to store all your dry ingredients, saving you space in the kitchen.
Also, preparing this cake mix only takes a few minutes. Simply put the layers of dry ingredients in a jar, and you’ll have a cake mix always on ready!
If you enjoy easy-to-make desserts, then be sure to try my 4-Ingredient Pretzel Christmas Treats or No Bake Oatmeal Cookies.
Ingredients Need To Make This Recipe
Here are the ingredients that you’ll need to make the best gingerbread cake mix!
- All-purpose flour: I use all-purpose flour to give that right texture of the gingerbread cake, which is a right balance of soft and dense. As possible, choose unbleached flour from reputable brands to ensure the best quality.
- Sugar: Choose light brown or dark brown sugar if you want an extra depth of flavor and white sugar for structure. To get the best of both worlds, combine both. To buy at supermarkets, check the sugar’s texture. The brown sugar should be soft, and the white sugar should be granular.
- Milk powder: To extend the shelf life of this dry cake mix, you’ll need to use dry milk powder instead of its liquid form. I choose non-fat milk for lower calories. When buying at supermarkets, make sure that the milk is tightly sealed to ensure freshness.
- Baking powder: This ingredient helps make the cake light and fluffy. Always choose double-acting baking powder because it provides a consistent texture.
- Seasonings and spices: Gingerbread cake packs a lot of flavors, so you’ll need a variety of spices for this recipe. I use ground cinnamon, cream of tartar, ground cloves, ground ginger, and salt to balance the overall taste. To choose the best flavor, make sure that the spices have a strong aroma and vibrant colors.
- Shortening: Your cake becomes moist and crumbly, thanks to this shortening ingredient. Most supermarkets offer vegetable shortening, but you can choose butter-flavored shortening for extra richness or a trans-fat-free one for a healthier choice.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Gingerbread Cake Mix
Now that you’re ready with your ingredients and mason jars, let’s start making that perfect gift for your friends and yourself!
Combine The Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, pour the flour, sugar, and dry milk powder.
- Add the key spices: a tablespoon of salt, 2-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, two teaspoons cream of tartar, 1-1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon ginger.
- Mix thoroughly until fully combined.
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- Add The Shortening
- Spread the shortening in small dollops on top of the combined dry ingredients.
Incorporate All Dry Ingredients
- Pour the mixture into a large stand mixer bowl, add shortening, and mix with the whisk attachment for about 3 minutes. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs.
Fill The Jars
- Using a funnel, fill each jar with the cake mix in portions.
- Seal the jar with a lid and store it for future use.
- If you want to use the gingerbread cake mix, proceed to the next step.
How To Make Gingerbread Cake In A Jar
You can store your jars or give them as a gift. When you are ready to make your gingerbread cake, here are the steps to make it fresh and hot out of the oven.
Prep For Cake Mix In A Jar
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- Lightly beat the egg, water, and molasses together in a bowl.
Bake And Serve
- Add one portion of the gingerbread cake mix (about 2 cups) and stir until well blended
Bake Gingerbread Cake
- Spread the batter evenly into the greased baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool on a wire rack before serving.
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Success
- Be sure to mix in the shortening to create a fine crumble.
- Use a non-stick cooking spray on the baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking to the surface.
- Spoon the flour and level it off to measure properly for that perfect cake mixture.
- Consider using blackstrap molasses to achieve a deep, rich flavor.
- If you would like to make a light, easy frosting for your gingerbread cake, you will want to try my Cool Whip Frosting. It’s easy to make and would be perfect dolloped on this gingerbread cake.
Gift Tags With Instructions
If you would like to give this gingerbread cake mix as a gift, you can print the recipe card at the end of this post. However, if you would like to make it a little more festive, be sure you get your copy of printable gingerbread cake mix gift tags with instructions. The PDF file also comes with a cute copy of the recipe also.
Storing Leftovers
Your gingerbread cake dry mix stays fresh longer when stored properly. Here are some tips you can follow:
Leftovers: For leftover baked gingerbread cake, store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for 3-4 days, 5-7 days in the fridge, or up to three months in the freezer. You can also wrap the leftover cake in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can reheat the cold leftovers in the microwave.
Cake Mix In A Jar: Store the dry cake mix in an airtight container or a jar, tightly sealed, in a cool, dry place for 3-6 months.
Freezing Cake Mix: You can extend the life of the dry cake mix in the freezer stored in a freezer-safe airtight container up to 6-12 months. To use, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Yummy Dessert Recipes
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.
Gingerbread Cake Mix Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 7 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon dry milk powder, nonfat
- 1/4 cup baking powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 cups shortening
Additional Ingredients (for each batch):
- 1 egg, large, room temperature
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup molasses
Instructions
Prepare Mix:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, dry milk powder, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cream of tartar, cloves, and ginger.7 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon dry milk powder, 1/4 cup baking powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pour the mixture into a large stand mixer bowl, add shortening, and mix with the whisk attachment for about 3 minutes. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs.1 1/2 cups shortening
- Using a large mouth funnel fill pint jars with aproximatly two cups of the mix and screw a tight-fitting lid onto the jar. Keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
To Make Gingerbread Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- Lightly beat the egg, water, and molasses together in a bowl.1 egg, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup molasses
- Add one portion of the gingerbread cake mix (about 2 cups) and stir until well blended.
- Spread the batter evenly into the greased baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup molasses
Instructions for Making Gingerbread Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- Lightly beat the egg, water, and molasses together in a bowl.
- Add one pint jar (about 2 cups) of the gingerbread cake mix and stir until well blended.
- Spread the batter evenly into the greased baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool on a wire rack before serving.
