# Ingredients:
→ Gingerbread Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1 cup brown sugar
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 1 cup buttermilk
13 - 1/2 cup molasses
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
15 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
17 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
18 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt
→ Decoration and Assembly
20 - 1 bag mini pretzel sticks
21 - 1/2 cup assorted candy such as gumdrops or M&Ms
22 - 1 cup mini marshmallows
23 - 1/2 cup crushed gingerbread cookies
24 - Edible glitter or colored sugar, optional
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.
04 - Mix in the molasses and vanilla extract until evenly combined.
05 - Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix just until combined; do not overmix.
06 - Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
07 - In a clean bowl, beat cream cheese and softened butter together until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
08 - Once cooled, level cake layers with a knife if necessary. Crumble one layer into large chunks to resemble fallen pieces.
09 - Place the intact cake layer on a serving platter. Spread a thick layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Arrange crumbled cake pieces on top to create a whimsical collapsed structure.
10 - Insert mini pretzel sticks as support beams. Scatter assorted candies, mini marshmallows, and gingerbread cookie crumbs to mimic festive rubble. Dust with edible glitter or colored sugar if desired.
11 - Present the cake with additional frosting on the side if desired. Slice and enjoy immediately.
