Gingerbread Layer Cake {with Brown Sugared Bourbon Frosting}

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F and prepare 3 9-inch round cake pans by lightly greasing and flouring. Set aside.

Step 2

In KitchenAid, beat the butter on medium-low speed until creamed.

Step 3

Add molasses and sugars, beat until light, fluffy and well combined (pausing to scrape down sides of bowl as needed).

Step 4

Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined after each addition.

Step 5

Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 6

In separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices (ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice) until combined.

Step 7

With the mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture, alternating with the buttermilk (add about ⅕ of the flour, as soon as it is mostly combined add about ⅕ of the buttermilk, continuing in this pattern until all of the flour mixture and all of the buttermilk have been added). Scrape the sides and the bottom of the bowl to be sure ingredients are well-combined.

Step 8

Evenly divide batter between prepared cake pans.

Step 9

Bake on 350F for 30-35 minutes (use a toothpick test to ensure done-ness; a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan should come out clean or with crumbs--not batter). Be sure to check each cake separately, as your oven may not cook evenly.

Step 10

Allow cakes to cool for 10 minutes and then run a knife around the inside rim of the cake pan to loosen from the sides. Allow cakes to cool completely in pan before inverting and icing.

Step 11

In KitchenAid (or with hand mixer) cream together butter and cream cheese.

Step 12

Add brown sugar, stirring until combined.

Step 13

Split the vanilla bean and scrape the seeds from the inside and scoop into cream cheese/butter/brown sugar mixture.

Step 14

Add bourbon and stir until well-combined.

Step 15

Gradually (about ½ cup at a time) add powdered sugar to mixture. Pause occasionally to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl.

Step 16

Increase speed to medium-high and add heavy cream, beat until mixture is lightly whipped.

Step 17

Once cakes have cooled, ice/assemble cakes by generously icing between layers, applying an even layer on the top of the cake, and then applying a scant, semi-naked layer around the outside of the cake.

Step 18

Top with sugared cranberries if desired.