APRIL BLOOMFIELD'S GINGER CAKE

April Bloomfield's Ginger Cake image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup unsulfured light molasses (not blackstrap)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup finely grated fresh ginger

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees with a rack set in the center. Generously butter an 8-inch round, 3-inch high springform pan. Line bottom with parchment paper and place on baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. In a small saucepan, stir together boiling water, molasses, and baking soda until molasses has completely dissolved.
Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. Reduce speed to medium-low and add egg; mix until combined. Add grated ginger and mix to combine.
Add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the molasses mixture, scraping down sides as necessary. Batter will be very wet. Pour batter into prepared pan and transfer to oven. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool slightly before removing ring from springform pan; serve warm.