Yule Ginger & Orange Zest Vanilla Spice Cakes Recipe
Delight in the festive flavors of Yule with these Ginger & Orange Zest Vanilla Spice Cakes. Infused with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, complemented by bright orange zest and honey for natural sweetness, these moist cakes are perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter treats. Soft, aromatic, and gently spiced, they capture the essence of the season in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3 small individual cakes (5" x 3" each) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western, Holiday
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 3/4 tbsp Ground Ginger
- 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 2 Tbsp Orange Zest
Wet Ingredients
- 1 Stick Melted Butter (about 1/2 cup)
- 3/4 Cup Honey
- 3 tbsp Orange Juice (fresh squeezed preferred)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Cup Whole Milk
- 2 Eggs
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dry Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Sprinkle in the orange zest and mix to combine evenly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients and Mix Batter: Add the melted butter, honey, fresh orange juice, vanilla extract, and whole milk to the dry ingredients. Crack in both eggs. Beat all ingredients together until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, ensuring the spices and zest are well distributed.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Grease three 5-inch by 3-inch ceramic baking dishes thoroughly. Pour the batter evenly into these dishes. Place the dishes in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cakes are fully cooked.
- Cool and Remove Cakes: Remove the baking dishes from the oven and allow the cakes to cool completely at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. To remove the cakes from the dishes, carefully invert each ceramic dish and gently wiggle the cake out. If a cake sticks, slide a flat, thin knife around its edges to loosen it before trying again.
Notes
- Using fresh-squeezed orange juice enhances the citrus flavor but bottled juice can be used in a pinch.
- For easier removal, lightly grease and dust the baking dishes with flour or line with parchment paper.
- These cakes pair wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar for serving.
- Store cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Keywords: Yule cake, ginger spice cake, orange zest cake, vanilla spice cake, holiday dessert, festive cakes, ginger and orange cake, Christmas cake, spiced cake recipe
