This simple and unpretentious one layer gingerbread cake, filled with raspberry preserves, and topped with a tart lemon glaze is warm, full of spice (from ginger, allspice, cloves and cinnamon), and simply put, tastes exactly how I would imagine fall would taste....that is, if fall was a flavor.
Prepare Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) with a rack in the center position. Grease and flour, tapping out any excess, a 9-inch cake pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. In separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk and vanilla extract.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or hand mixer), combine the butter and brown sugar. Beat over medium high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the molasses and mix over low speed until just combined. Over medium speed, beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the mixer bowl after each addition.
Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with two additions of the buttermilk mixture. Mix until the flour has just been absorbed. Scrape down the bowl with a spatula and ensure that all the ingredients have been incorporated.
Transfer the batter to the greased cake pan and use an offspet spatula to smooth the surface. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean with some moist crumbs.
Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, invert cake onto rack and allow it to cool completely. Make Ahead Tip: Cake can be prepared up to a day in advance and tightly covered with plastic wrap and stored at room temperature.
Assemble Cake: Once cake has cooled completely, use a long serrated bread knife to cut the cake horizontally in half. The easiest way to do this is to go slowly; don’t worry about making it perfect.
Arrange the bottom layer cut side up on a cake plate and using a offset spatula, layer with the raspberry preserves. Place remaining cake layer cut side down on top.
Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, lemon juice, and heavy cream in a small bowl until well combined. The glaze should be easily pourable, but not too thin. Adjust the texture as necessary by adding a touch more powdered sugar or heavy cream.
Using a spoon, drizzle spoonfuls over the top of the cake. Use a clean offset spatula to spread it out, allowing it to drizzle gently over the sides. Serve immediately. Cake can be stored in a covered container at room temperature for up to three days.
Cake recipe adapted from November 1994 issue of Gourmet magazine.