• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
    • Recipes
      • Pies + tarts
      • Brownies + bars
      • Cakes + cupcakes
      • Cocktails + drinks
      • Ice cream
      • Breakfast + brunch
  • About me
  • In your kitchen
  • services
  • Family life
  • My friends

Kate the baker

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Meet Kate
  • In Your Kitchen
  • Services
  • My friends
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Meet Kate
    • In Your Kitchen
    • Services
    • My friends
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Cakes + cupcakes

    Published: Dec 7, 2020 · Modified: Jan 11, 2021 by Katie Beck · Leave a Comment

    Gingerbread cake soaked in simple syrup

    The third day of Christmas 2020 has gingerbread cake soaked in simple syrup. And not just any simple syrup...

    A vanilla bean poached pear simple syrup

    This entire dessert is warm, comforting and just a touch spicy from a good amount of ginger and a deep molasses.

    I am going to keep this one short and sweet, because I don't really know what else to say here, other than that this is really delicious - the cake and the simple syrup.

    What is a simple syrup?

    Simple syrup in its most basic is sugar and water cooked together until it becomes a thick, literal, syrup. It is often used on cakes to help keep them moist, and is something I infuse and use in cocktails all the time. Look here for a quick read on simple syrup and how to use in cocktails.

    This vanilla bean poached pear simple syrup came about from wanting to poach pears for a cocktail (you'll get the recipe later this month). When I pulled the pears out, I stuck my finger into the syrup for a quick taste and OH. MY. GOD. it was amazing. So full of vanilla and pear essence. I was in love and svaed that shit right away.

    And just like that, I soaked a cake.

    Well not actually. I was cooking for a small private dinner event earlier in November, and was serving these super cute, tiny gingerbread cakes. For some reason, they just looked boring. And I mean, they didn't taste boring, but they didn't taste outstanding, like they needed something. The lightbulb went on in my blonde brain and I thought, what the hell, soak that lil cake in some of the simple syrup. And well, I will be damned, gingerbread cake with simple syrup was a huge hit that evening and at the other three private dinners I cooked since then.

    The gingerbread cake couldn't be simpler. The simple syrup makes it almost seem like a version of a sticky toffee pudding, but better if you ask me. I like the spiciness and it is absolutely perfect for the holiday.

    Quick tip: I made a sheet pan of this and cut out small circles (as seen in my pictures), specifically for the private dinners. The recipe is the same, but the instructions I am giving are for an 9-inch round cake. If you prefer to make individual cakes, bake in a 13x9 pan and cut out small circles for your guests.

    Gingerbread cake with simple syrup

    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
      

    For the gingerbread cake

    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 1 cup melted butter
    • 1 cup molasses
    • 2 eggs
    • ¼ cup hot water with 2 teaspoon baking soda added to it
    • 2 cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ginger
    • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 cup hot water

    For the simple syrup

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup of water
    • 1 vanilla bean
    • 1 bosc pear ripe and gently peeled, and cut in half lengthwise
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • cinnamon stick

    Instructions
     

    To make the simple syrup

    • In a saucepan combine the sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, and stir until combined. Add the vanilla bean and cinnamon stick and bring to a boil. Add the pear and reduce heat to low and simmer until the liquid has reduced a little and the pear is soft, but not turned to mush. This will take about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool about 10 minutes. Carefully remove the pear (DO NOT THROW AWAY - put in container in fridge for the cocktail you will later be making, or see my tip below) and pour the simple syrup in a mason jar and store in the fridge.

    To make the cake

    • Heat the oven to 325, spray 9-inch round cake pan or 13x9 pan with cooking spray.
    • In a small bowl whisk together the dry ingredients.
    • In a large bowl cream sugar, oil, molasses, and eggs. Add water and soda mixture. Then add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Throw in the cup of hot water to the batter. The batter will be shockingly thin, that is ok, this is what you want...something magical happens when you bake (science comes in I am sure) and it works.
    • Bake this about 50 minutes, maybe an hour. Insert a toothpick in the center, when it comes out clean the cake is done.
    • When the cake is still warm, drizzle some of the simple syrup over the cake to soak it in. You need to do this when it is warm or the cake will not absorb the syrup as good.
    • When ready to serve warm the remaining simple syrup slightly and drizzle over the cake as you serve it.

    Notes

    Want to make this even more awesome? Take the pear halves, thinly slice the lengthwise and place a small slice of pear on top of each cake or slice of cake.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Looking for a cocktail recipe with simple syrup? Here is my personal fave.

    More Cakes + cupcakes

    • Chocolate loaf cake, sour cream fudge frosting being spread with a spatula and a small white bowl on the side.
      Chocolate loaf cake
    • Slice of red velvet bundt cake on plates with a fork.
      Red velvet bundt cake
    • Side view of slice of cherry cheesecake on a plate held in a hand.
      Cherry cheesecake recipe - no bake
    • Slices of Baileys chocolate cake with buttercream frosting on plates with forks
      Easy Baileys chocolate cake

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Tell me whatcha think Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kate! My mission is to bring life to amazing food and recipes with a few tips and humorous stories (and a few swears) about life with a big, loud and crazy family. My recipes are accessible, adaptable and designed for any home cook to prepare and enjoy.

    More about me →

    My favorite recipes

    • Overhead crispy greek fries with toppings.
      Crispy Greek fries
    • skinny spicy margarita pour in a glass with a jalapeno and a lime
      Skinny spicy margarita recipe
    • Three scoops of oreo ice cream in a glass dish with crumbled oreos and a spoon.
      Oreo ice cream
    • overhead view of a bowl of irish seafodd chowder with a spoon.
      Irish seafood chowder

    Never miss a thing

    Sign Up!
    Subscribe and get my once a month email with tips and additional recipes!

    March favorites

    • Guinness beef pot pie
    • Closeup of sliced strawberry brownies with chocolate drizzle.
      Strawberry brownies recipe
    • piece of chocolate brownies with dulce de leche drizzle down the side
      Dulce de leche brownies recipe
    • Irish coffee blondies

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Recipe Index

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Services
    • Meet Kate

    Copyright © 2023 Kate The Baker

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required