Gingerbread Fantasia

Gingerbread fantasia is a multi layered dessert masterpiece

At first I had a hard time naming this cake because there are no words to describe the absolute wonder of this holiday cake!
But as I kept eating it, Gingerbread Fantasia was the only way to describe it!

Thinly baked gingerbread molasses cake layers, cream cheese icing, cranberry and apple filling and ganache too!

I know it may sound like so much going in inside this cake, but believe me it is perfectly balanced!
My only regret is being so conservative on the chocolate layer! I would definitely double it up next time!

Each separate recipe can be made several days in advance so the day of your cake build it is a breeze!

The gingerbread cookie decor is completely optional

However I’ve crushed up about half the recipe to use as the crunchy garnish to coat the sides and top of the cake!

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Notes for Success:

If you prefer to make a round cake simply bake the cake layers into 4- 7″ round cake pans instead all the other ingredients & recipe quantities stay the same

Apple filling and cranberry compote can be made a week in advance stored in the refrigerator

Alternatively you can buy a canned pastry filling for the apple, but I would highly recommend making my recipe for the cranberry compote
It’s super easy and nothing in the store compares to this flavor!

Gingerbread cake layer is baked in a half sheet pan then cut into 4 equal rectangles for the layers

I made the cake a week in advance and kept it in the freezer until the day of the build

No refrigerator/No Cream Cheese~ Cream Cheese icing is a great recipe that plays so well with these flavors!

Gingerbread dough can be made weeks in advance and the cutouts stored in the freezer

The gingerbread cake is a wacky cake recipe that is mixed up in one bowl and then all the batter is baked into a 12″ x18″ half sheet pan that is then cut into 4 equal strips for the layers

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL YOUTUBE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR HOW TO MAKE THIS CAKE

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Yield: serves 18ppl

Gingerbread Fantasia

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Prep Time 2 hours

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

• Double Recipe Gingerbread Cake + 1X cream cheese icing recipe
• 1 Recipe Ganache
• ½ Recipe Apple Filling

For the Cranberry Compote:

• Cranberries fresh or frozen 1- 12 ounce bag (336g)
• Granulated Sugar 1 cup (200g)
• Cranberry Juice, white wine or water 1 cup (237ml)
• Vanilla Extract 2 teaspoons
• Star Anise Pods 4
• Cinnamon Sticks 2
• 1 Recipe Gingerbread cookies

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. First prepare the gingerbread cake recipe 2X ~ be careful on the measurements~ bake in a greased & parchment lined 12" x 18" sheet pan for approximately 25 -30 minutes or when a toothpick inserted into the center is moist crumb not raw batter
3. While the cake is baking prepare the cream cheese icing recipe from that same recipe post and reserve for later
4. Prepare the apple filling recipe but chop the apples into smaller pieces than shown in the video tutorial, almost minced
5. Prepare the ganache recipe and reserve for later
6. For the Cranberry Compote:
7. In a heavy bottom sauce pot, combine the cranberries with the liquid of your choice along with the sugar and spices and bring to a boil over high heat.
8. Lower the temperature to a simmer for 15 -20 minutes, the sauce will begin to thicken and the berries will begin to pop.
9. Discard the anise pods and cinnamon sticks and then add the vanilla
10. Using a stick blend or a food processor puree the compote slightly leaving it chunky
11. Cool in refrigerator while you prepare the buttercream recipe as per the instructions on that recipe post
12. Roll out your gingerbread dough *if you are making this component of the recipe~ cut out and bake some gingerbread men for decor and the rest will get chopped up in the food processor for the garnish for the entire cake
13. Once the cake is baked and fully cooled assemble the cake as shown in the video tutorial
14. **I would have doubled the ganache layer and not added the double buttercream layer

Notes

Gingerbread Fantasia cake can be stored at room temperature for 1 day

For longer storage keep refrigerated for up to 10 days wrapped loosely to prevent drying