My Vegan Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Icing

This Vegan Gingerbread Cake with lemon icing is the ultimate vegan Christmas sweet treat! It’s light, fluffy, sticky, festive, and so delicious. I say Christmas, but in reality we’re all adults. We can make and eat it whenever.

Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. I’ve been listening to christmas music for a good month now.. I absolutely love getting in the festive mood. Decorating the house, eating mince pies, drinking mulled wine, picking the tree, christmas gift shopping, and of course, making ALL the christmas food. Especially this Vegan Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Icing.

This would be an amazing DIY gift for your friends and family this Christmas. I’m a huge fan of homemade gifts at Christmas, they’re cheap, cute, pretty, and thoughtful. A few squares of this Gingerbread Cake packaged up would be a great addition to a little hamper full of vegan goodies.

I wanted to ensure this recipe had no funny, obscure ingredients. Who can be bothered faffing around trying to find some weird type of flour or vegan egg replacement at christmas? This is an easy, simple, fuss-free bake that everybody can get involved with.

This Vegan Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Icing is sure to get you in the festive mood. Your whole kitchen will have the most gorgeous scent. Think ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Dreamy! Enjoy a slice with a cup of tea with your loved ones this christmas. 

How about having a go at my Creamy Carrot and Ginger Soup or my Soft Gingerbread Cookies this festive season?

If you make this Vegan Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Icing this Christmas, please make sure to comment below or tag me in your recreations over on Instagram using @ginabnutrition or #ginabnutrition – I absolutely love to see them!

What Flavours Go Well with Gingerbead?

Okay, I get it, lemon isn’t for everyone. So here are a few alternative flavours to consider combining with your next gingerbread cake…

1. Cinnamon: Cinnamon complements the ginger in gingerbread, adding an extra layer of warmth and richness to the flavor.
   
2. Nutmeg: Nutmeg’s nutty and slightly sweet notes work well with gingerbread’s spiciness, contributing to a well-balanced taste.
   
3. Cloves: Cloves have a strong, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with ginger, adding depth and complexity to the overall taste.
   
4. Allspice: Allspice combines flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making it a natural partner for gingerbread. It adds warmth and a touch of sweetness.
   
5. Molasses or Treacle: The deep and rich flavor of molasses or treacle complements gingerbread’s spices and provides moisture and depth.
   
6. Citrus: The brightness of citrus, such as lemon or orange, can add a refreshing contrast to the warm spiciness of gingerbread. Citrus zest or juice can be used in the batter or icing.
   
7. Vanilla: Vanilla’s sweet and mellow flavor can balance the spiciness of gingerbread and add a comforting undertone.
   
8. Chocolate: Dark chocolate or cocoa can work well with gingerbread, creating a mix of deep, complex flavors. Consider incorporating chocolate chips or cocoa into the batter.
   
9. Dried Fruits: Chopped dried fruits like raisins, currants, or dried cranberries can add a chewy texture and a touch of sweetness.
   
10. Nuts: Nuts like chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds can provide crunch and a nutty contrast to the soft texture of gingerbread.
    
11. Cream Cheese: A cream cheese frosting or filling can provide a tangy, creamy element that complements the spices in gingerbread.
    
12. Maple Syrup: The rich, caramel-like flavor of maple syrup can pair nicely with gingerbread, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy.
    
13. Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream can add a light and airy texture to the denser gingerbread while providing a mild, sweet counterpoint.

Ingredients for my Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Icing

To make this Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Icing, you’ll need…

1. Plain Flour (1.75 Cups): This is the base ingredient for the cake, providing structure and texture. It contains gluten, which helps bind the cake together.
   
2. Golden Caster Sugar (2/3 Cup): Sugar adds sweetness to the cake and also contributes to its texture, tenderness, and moistness.
   
3. Ground Ginger (3 tsp): Ginger is the main flavor in gingerbread and provides a warm, spicy, and slightly pungent taste.
   
4. Cinnamon (2 tsp): Cinnamon adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile. It pairs well with ginger and enhances the overall taste of the cake.
   
5. Ground Nutmeg (1/4 tsp): Nutmeg contributes a subtle nutty and slightly sweet flavor. It complements the other spices in the mix.
   
6. Mixed Spice (1/4 tsp): Mixed spice typically contains a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. It adds complexity and depth to the flavor.
   
7. Ground Cloves (1/4 tsp, optional): Cloves have a strong, slightly bitter flavor. Using them sparingly adds another layer of complexity to the spice blend.
   
8. Baking Powder (2 tsp): Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the cake rise by producing carbon dioxide gas when mixed with wet ingredients.
   
9. Baking Soda (1 tsp): Baking soda also acts as a leavening agent and helps the cake rise. It reacts with acids in the recipe, such as the black treacle.
   
10. Salt (1 Pinch): Salt enhances the flavors in the cake and balances the sweetness.
    
11. Vegan Butter (3/4 Cup): Vegan butter adds fat and moisture to the cake, contributing to its tenderness and flavor.
    
12. Black Treacle (3 tbsp): Black treacle, also known as molasses, adds deep color, rich flavor, and moisture to the cake. It also reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise.
    
13. Non-Dairy Milk (1 Cup): Non-dairy milk provides liquid for the batter and contributes to the cake’s moisture. It’s used to create a vegan-friendly recipe.

For the Lemon or Orange Icing:

1. Icing Sugar (1 Cup): Icing sugar, also known as powdered sugar or confectioners’ sugar, is used to make the icing sweet and smooth.
   
2. Juice of 1/2 Lemon or Orange: The citrus juice adds tanginess and a fresh, zesty flavor to the icing. It also helps thin out the icing to achieve the desired consistency.

Is Ginger Cake the same as Gingerbread?

Ginger cake and gingerbread are related, but they are not exactly the same (which may be a little confusing in a gingerbread cake with lemon icing recipe. They both feature the distinctive flavor of ginger, but there are some differences in terms of texture, ingredients, and usage.

Ginger Cake:

• Ginger cake is a type of cake that prominently features the flavor of ginger. It can come in various forms, ranging from moist and dense to light and fluffy.
• Ginger cake recipes may use different types of ginger flavoring, such as fresh ginger, ground ginger, or ginger extract.
• The texture of ginger cake can vary depending on the recipe. Some ginger cakes might have a crumb similar to traditional cakes, while others might be more dense and moist.
• Ginger cakes can include a variety of additional ingredients such as nuts, dried fruits, and even chocolate chips, depending on the recipe.

Gingerbread:

• Gingerbread is a specific type of baked good that is often associated with the holiday season and has a distinct texture and flavor.
• Traditional gingerbread is typically denser and more firm than a typical cake. It can be in the form of gingerbread cookies, gingerbread houses, or loaves of gingerbread.
• The spices used in gingerbread often include ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sometimes molasses or treacle, which give it a deep, rich flavor.
• Gingerbread is often cut into shapes and decorated, making it a popular choice for festive occasions like Christmas.