Ingredients

  • CAKE
  • 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12 1/2 ounces)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 16 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 sticks)
  • 2 tablespoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
  • 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar (10 1/2 ounces)
  • 4 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (or finely minced)
  • 3/4 cup robust molasses or 3/4 cup dark molasses
  • 3/4 cup stout beer (I prefer Guinness)
  • GLAZE
  • 1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar (7 ounces)
  • 3 tablespoons ginger ale
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Method

  • FOR THE CAKE: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a 12-cup nonstick Bundt pan. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbling. Stir in the ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice,, and pepper and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  • Whisk the eggs, sugar, and fresh ginger in a large bowl until light and frothy. Stir in the melted butter mixture, molasses, and beer until incorporated. Whisk the flour mixture into the egg mixture until no lumps remain.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and gently tap the pan on the countertop to release any trapped air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan for 20 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; let cool completely.
  • FOR THE GLAZE: Whisk the ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Pour the glaze over the cooled cake. Let the glaze set for 15 minutes. Place cake on a pretty cake plate. Serve!
  • (You can store this cake at room temperature, covered in plastic wrap, for up to 2 days.).