Name: Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted; ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar; ⅓ cup (67 g) light brown sugar, packed; ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 ¾ cups (200 g) cake flour; 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour; ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, cold, cubed; 1 large egg, room temperature; ¾ cup (183 g) unsweetened applesauce; ½ cup (168.5 g) molasses; ⅓ cup (82 g) buttermilk, room temperature; ¼ cup pure maple syrup

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Nothing feels quite as special and inviting as waking up to the spicy-sweet aroma of a Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning. This delightful treat combines soft, tender cake bursting with warm fall spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, perfectly sweetened with molasses and maple syrup. Topped with a buttery, crunchy crumble, it’s the perfect centerpiece for a festive holiday breakfast, instantly making your family and guests feel cozy and cherished.

Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning plays an important role in creating its unique balance of flavor, texture, and festive color. The blend of spices offers warmth, molasses and maple syrup supply rich sweetness, and the buttery crumb topping adds that irresistible crunch.

Unsalted butter (1 stick / 113 g, melted for crumb): Adds richness and helps create the perfect crumb texture on top.
Granulated sugar (⅓ cup / 67 g for crumb): Provides subtle sweetness and helps the topping caramelize.
Light brown sugar (⅓ cup + ¼ cup total): Adds moisture and deep molasses notes enhancing the cake’s flavor.
Ground cinnamon (¾ tsp for crumb + 1 tsp for cake): Warms the recipe with its classic spice hint.
Kosher salt (¼ tsp crumb + ½ tsp cake): Balances the sweetness and amplifies flavor complexity.
Cake flour (1 ¾ cups / 200 g for crumb): Creates a tender, delicate crumble topping.
All-purpose flour (2 cups / 240 g for cake): Provides structure while keeping the cake tender.
Baking soda (1 tsp) and baking powder (½ tsp): Ensure the cake rises perfectly fluffy.
Ground ginger (1 ½ tsp): The star spice that delivers that unmistakable gingerbread taste.
Ground cloves (½ tsp) and ground nutmeg (½ tsp): Add layers of aromatic warmth and depth.
Cold cubed unsalted butter (1 stick / 113 g for cake): Helps create tender pockets within the batter before baking.
Large egg (1, room temperature): Binds ingredients and lifts the texture.
Unsweetened applesauce (¾ cup / 183 g): Keeps the cake moist and adds natural sweetness without heaviness.
Molasses (½ cup / 168.5 g): The heart of gingerbread flavor, imparting rich dark sweetness.
Buttermilk (⅓ cup / 82 g, room temperature): Adds tang and tenderizes the crumb.
Pure maple syrup (¼ cup): A special touch of sweet complexity enhancing the cake’s warmth.

How to Make Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Let the paper overhang the sides for easy removal later. Don’t forget to spray the dish with nonstick cooking spray; this will make sure your beautiful cake slides out effortlessly and keeps its shape.

Step 2: Mix the Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl, blend the melted butter with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir these together until just combined—this starts building that irresistible crumble texture. Then fold in the cake flour carefully, making sure not to overmix. Set this crumb topping aside while you move on to the cake batter. Trust me, that golden crunch is worth the wait!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients for the Cake

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and your warm gingerbread spices: ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This fragrant blend sets the tone for the whole Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning. Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures the spice and leaveners are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Cut in the Butter

Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture and mix on medium-low speed until small pea-sized pieces remain visible. This step creates a tender crumb structure because the butter melts during baking, leaving little buttery pockets. No stand mixer? No worries! Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips—just be sure to keep that butter cold for perfect results.

Step 5: Whisk Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, applesauce, molasses, buttermilk, and maple syrup until you have a smooth, glossy mixture. This combination adds moisture, sweetness, and that unmistakable deep flavor that defines this Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning. Using room temperature ingredients makes incorporating everything much easier and yields a more even batter.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly pour the wet mixture into the flour and butter mixture while running your mixer on low speed. The batter will be slightly chunky—that’s perfectly normal and actually desirable to give you a tender crumb. Once combined, beat the batter gently for about 2 minutes, just until you see no dry flour patches. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and spread it out evenly with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.

Step 7: Add the Crumb Topping and Bake

Break the crumb topping into small pieces using your hands or a fork, then sprinkle it evenly over the cake batter. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the crumb topping turns golden brown and a toothpick poked into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs, but no raw batter. Let the cake cool in its pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing—this helps everything set and makes serving easier.

How to Serve Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning

Garnishes

A dusting of powdered sugar over this Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning adds a delicate, frosty look and a touch of extra sweetness that complements those warming spices beautifully. If you’re feeling a little indulgent, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of cream cheese glaze pairs wonderfully and takes each bite to a new level of festive delight.

Side Dishes

Serve a warm slice alongside a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee, chai tea, or hot cocoa to emphasize the cozy vibe. Fresh fruit like orange slices or a small bowl of spiced cranberry compote can offer a bright, refreshing contrast to the cake’s rich, molasses sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn the presentation into an experience by serving the cake on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly for a Christmas feel. For a brunch gathering, cut the cake into squares and arrange on a tiered dessert stand alongside mini muffins and cinnamon rolls. Adding little festive touches makes this Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning feel like a special holiday highlight.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The flavors will meld beautifully overnight, and the cake will remain moist and delicious, ready to enjoy with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Freezing

If you’re preparing ahead for Christmas morning, you can freeze the cooled cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil or place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep well for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Reheating

Warm slices gently in the microwave for about 20 seconds or pop them in a toaster oven for a few minutes to refresh that cozy fresh-baked feeling. Reheating brings the spices and buttery crumble back to life with every bite of the Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning.

FAQs

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose and cake flours with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, and consider adding a teaspoon of xanthan gum to help with structure. The spices and moist ingredients will still work beautifully for a gluten-free Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No worries! You can easily make a buttermilk substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a ⅓ cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then use it as your buttermilk in the recipe. This ensures your cake remains tender and flavorful.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

Yes, swap the unsalted butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and replace buttermilk with dairy-free milk plus a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. The texture might vary slightly, but the gingerbread flavor will still shine in this Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The best test is to insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out with just a few moist crumbs and no wet batter, your cake is perfectly baked. Also, the crumb topping should be a beautiful golden brown, giving you that satisfying crunch.

Can I double this recipe for a larger cake?

Definitely! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan, but keep an eye on baking time—it may increase by 10 to 15 minutes. Use the toothpick test regularly to check for doneness. This makes enough to share your Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning with more friends and family.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you’ve made this Gingerbread Coffee Cake for Christmas Morning, it might just become your holiday go-to. The rich spices, tender crumb, and buttery topping make it feel like a warm hug on a chilly morning. It’s easy to prepare, wonderfully fragrant, and perfectly festive—so why not treat your loved ones this year? Give it a try and watch how quickly it becomes a cherished Christmas tradition.