Perfect for the holiday season, these Individual Gingerbread Pudding Cake are warm, spicy and comforting. Enjoy them as individual puddings or make as one big one, if you prefer.
These Gingerbread Pudding Cakes are just the thing to enjoy while you sit on the couch watching Polar Express. Or for a festive holiday dessert. Or for a warm treat after an afternoon out tobogganing. Yes, these taste like the season!
Pudding cakes are one of my favourite treats. It's like getting two desserts in one. These have a lovely light and gingerbread spiced cake topping, with a brown sugar "pudding" on the bottom. I love them with a dollop of whipped cream, but vanilla ice cream is lovely, too.
Cook's Notes for Gingerbread Pudding Cake
As you can no doubt see from the pictures, these pudding bubble up and over a wee bit. Be sure to place your baking dishes on a baking sheet.
You can make these as individual pudding cakes in ramekins or any small oven-proof small dish (My teacups here are oven-proof. Most aren't, so be sure before you try with your own cups). This recipe should make 4 or 5 small ramekin-sized puddings. Less with larger ramekins. You can also bake this as one large pudding in a 8-inch-ish baking dish or skillet. If you need more, simply double the recipe. Doubling will get you a 9x13-inch pan, if you're feeding a crowd.
These will puff up above the edge of the dish while cooking, but will settle back down as they cool.
When adding the batter to the dishes, don't fill more than half full with batter. You need to leave room for the hot water/butter on top of that yet, along with a bit of head-room (1/2-inch or so is fine).
Baking time will vary, depending on the size of your dish. The toothpick test is your best gauge for done-ness.
Gingerbread Pudding Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- Pinch nutmeg
- 1/4 cup butter, (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 large egg ((beat egg, then use half))
- 1/2 cup mild molasses ((not blackstrap))
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 Tbsp packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup hot water
- 3 Tbsp butter (melted)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt, allspice and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Place 4-6 small ramekins or 8-inch baking dish on a baking sheet and grease or spray with baking spray.
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup water with 1/2 cup molasses. Stir well and set aside.
- In a medium bowl with an electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and beat until mixed. Reduce speed to low and add the flour mixture alternately with the molasses mixture. Mix just until blended.
- Divide batter between ramekins (or add to baking dish), filling ramekins no more than 1/2 full with batter. Sprinkle with brown sugar (dividing the 6 Tbsp. between your dishes). Combine hot water with melted butter and stir well. Carefully pour over top, dividing between ramekins or adding all to one baking dish. Allow 1/2-3/4 inch clearance at the top of the dish.
- Bake in preheated oven until firm and cracked on top and a toothpick inserted in the top half of cake comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.
Erin B says
I realize I am really late to the party, but these are amazing. The batter divided perfectly into six, 250ml wide mouth mason jars using a #12 - 1/3 cup scoop. The advantage to this was that I could put the lids on them when they came out of the oven and take them to drop off for people who are still not leaving their houses because of quarantine issues. 10/10, perfect delivery dessert!
Jennifer says
I love this idea, Erin! And such a wonderful treat to share that they can re-warm and enjoy anytime. Thanks so much!
Faith Lewis says
These look delicious! Can these be prepped and left in the fridge for half a day before then baking?
Thanks
Jennifer says
Hi Faith, I'd be concerned about mixing then baking later. I haven't done it myself. Particularly, I'd worry that the leavening (baking soda in this case) would lose it's rising power as it sits. I'd be more inclined to bake them earlier, then warm them to serve later.
Colleen says
I have a quick question, Jennifer. Can this be doubled to accommodate a 9x13 dish? Would I just double all of the ingredients? Have you ever tried it with success?
Colleen says
Oops..sorry..just read that it can be done..sorry!
Jennifer says
Glad you found it, Colleen. Enjoy :)
Chris Scheuer says
These certainly look like a perfect way to finish off any holiday meal. I love the flavor of gingerbread and love that you've combined it in a such a fun way!
Jennifer says
Thanks Chris and yes, they are a perfect holiday dessert :)
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Your pudding version of gingerbread sounds great and perfect for the season.
Jennifer says
Thanks Karen!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I love the texture of pudding cakes SO much, these look amazing, as always, Jennifer! Have a wonderful holiday week <3
Jennifer says
Thanks Sue and you, too!!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Pudding cakes are the best! Seriously, who could say no to all that fabulous gooey deliciousness? Drool! I loooove that you made these individual!! So cute and just perfect for the holidays! Cheers, Jennifer!
Jennifer says
Thanks Cheyanne and yes, I have a love of pudding cakes, too :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
How cute are these Jennifer?! They sound so delicious too. I love them in the individual cups.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Mary Ann :)
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Oh now you did it! I thought I was done with desserts for the year :) I adore gingerbread and a pudding cake version is brilliant. Warm, spicy and comforting ... yes please!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia and I do, too! They taste like the season :)
Gerlinde / Sunncovechef says
What great looking gingerbread pudding cakes , just right for the season . Happy Holidays to you.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much and to you as well :)
Colleen says
Jennifer, you have the best recipes! We are gingerbread addicts at this house, so I'm sure I know somebody that would love this! Snow has been coming down here all night, but the temperature is going up. Things are going to get messy! I live between London and Sarnia (Ontario) and we get all the snow coming in off the lake. I don't think Lake Huron froze over last winter, but I think it will this year!
Jennifer says
Hi Colleen and thanks so much :) It has been snowy in Muskoka too this December. It can stop anytime :)