I am thrilled to share this recipe with all of you!
Celestial Seasonings Sweet Harvest Pumpkin tea was the inspiration for this recipe. This black tea is infused with a combination of spices, including cinnamon, ginger, chicory and cloves, as well as, natural pumpkin flavor. It’s absolutely delicious and the perfect beverage for these brisk fall days.
This tea is not only great for drinking, but it’s also amazing in desserts. I can think of a plethora of desserts to make using this tea…ice cream, creme brulee, pumpkin-based treats; but I decided to go with a ginger-molasses cake.
And boy, was I happy with this decision. This rich, moist cake is flavored with a combination of fresh and dried ginger, as well as, a combination of spices to highlight the flavor of the tea. Molasses gives this cake a distinct flavor, which is balanced perfectly with Celestial’s Sweet Harvest Pumpkin Tea. Instead of adding hot water or coffee as is common with many cakes, I used an extra strong batch tea. The flavor just can’t be beat.
To top off this tea-infused cake I decided to go with cream cheese frosting, but not just any cream cheese frosting. It’s flavored with honey and lightened up with whipped cream. It’s fluffy, flavorful and not too sweet. I love topping the cake with chopped pecans for just the right amount of crunchy texture. Walnuts would be great too. The magic of tea is real, guys. You have to trust me and try this cake!
PrintPumpkin-Ginger Black Tea Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1, 9 inch cake 1x
Description
This rich, moist cake is flavored with a combination of fresh and dried ginger, as well as, a combination of spices to highlight the flavor of Celestial’s Sweet Harvest Pumpkin Tea used in this cake. Molasses plays off the tea flavor and pairs well with the rich, cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 陆 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 陆 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 录 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8聽tsp ground cloves
- 2/3聽cup water
- 4 Celestial Seasonings Sweet Harvest Pumpkin Black Tea bags
- 陆 cup unsulphured molasses
- 陆 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 录 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger*
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 陆 cup vegetable oil
Frosting:
- 戮 cup cold heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 录 cup light honey
- Dash of vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 戮 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 录 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped, for topping
Instructions
- Heat oven & prep pans:聽Preheat oven to 350掳F. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan, line the bottom with parchment and butter again.
- Mix dry ingredients:聽In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour through cloves).
- Steep water:聽Add water and tea bags to a small pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Mix wet ingredients:聽While water is coming to a boil, whisk together molasses, sugar, sour cream, grated ginger and vanilla in another bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Slowly stream in oil, while whisking constantly. Remove tea bags from boiling tea, squeezing out any liquid. Slowly pour hot tea into wet ingredients, while whisking constantly.
- Mix wet & dry:聽Whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients in 2-3 additions. Incorporate fully, but do not overmix. Pour batter into prepared cake pan.
- Bake:聽Bake on the center rack of the oven for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the cake is springy to the touch.
- Cool:聽Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. When cooled, run a knife around the sides to loosen the cake, and invert onto a plate. Peel away parchment paper, and invert onto another plate, so the cake is top-side-up.
- Make frosting: Whip heavy cream on high-speed in a standing mixer, using the whisk attachment, for about 1-1 陆 minutes, or until soft peaks form. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use. Add cream cheese and butter to the mixing bowl. Using the paddle attachment, whip together until smooth. Add honey, vanilla and salt, and blend until well-combined. Add powdered sugar in 2-3 additions, and mix on low-speed until incorporated. Remove bowl from the mixer. Gently fold whipped cream into the frosting base, in 3 additions, until combined. Transfer to the fridge until ready use.
- Frost cake: Use an offset spatula and frost the top, leaving the sides bare, if desired. Sprinkle chopped pecans around the rim of the cake. Enjoy.
Notes
- You will need about 4-5 inches of fresh ginger to yield 2 tablespoons of finely grated ginger.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of cake
- Calories: 393
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 276mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Protein: 4g
Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
This cake sounds and looks amazing, love all the spices in this dessert and the frosting sounds just perfect!
sabrinarusso136@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Hein says
This cake! So divine Sabrina
sabrinarusso136@gmail.com says
Thank you, Hein!
Coley | Coley Cooks says
What a beautiful cake!! I love the flavors you have going on here. So interesting and unique!
sabrinarusso136@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Nicole!
Julie Yates says
Looks wonderful!
sabrinarusso136@gmail.com says
Thanks, Julie!
Nithya says
Love that ???? sounds delicious !!
sabrinarusso136@gmail.com says
Thank you, Nithya 馃檪