This will be my fourth version of the magic cake. Ever since I saw it here I made a vow to turn anything (well, almost anything) I could into some kind of magic cake. Since we’re almost into gingerbread season, I thought that this would be a great addition to the list.
Gingerbread has always been a favorite for me. My mom would bake three or four loaves at a time, and there was always one in the cake tin when I opened it. I’d cut a thick slice and slather it with butter. Back home we use treacle in the recipe, which is the same as molasses here in the U.S., and it tastes very rich and dark like a 90% chocolate bar. I also remember eating it by the spoon straight from the container when I was little – no wonder I love molasses! I like to use Grandmas Molasses, and a little goes a long way so watch here for more molasses treats. I’ll be baking more of the traditional gingerbread soon, but for now I wanted to try the flavors in this magic cake.
It’s hard to describe this cake, but if you’ve never heard of it here’s the skinny: Eggs yolks beaten with sugar are mixed with whipped egg whites to create a runny, curd-like batter. As it bakes in the oven the layers separate, and you end up with a cakey top layer and a custard-flan kind of base. I suppose it would belong to the brownie family if you had to categorize it.
Magic cake should be stored in the refrigerator, but it’s best eaten at room temperature to let those bottom layers get back to being soft and gooey.
Check out my other magic cake creations!

Gingerbread Magic Cake Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 2 cups milk slightly warmed
- 4 tbsp molasses
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 4 eggs separated
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tsp ground ginger
- 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Grease an 8 x 8 brownie pan and set aside. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Melt the butter. Add the molasses to the warm milk and stir until it dissolves.
- In a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks and brown sugar until light and fluffy. While this is mixing, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks.
- Add the melted butter and tablespoon of water to the beaten egg and sugar. Mix on low speed until well combined.
- Mix in the flour and the spices until well combined. On low speed add the milk and vanilla.
- Fold in the egg whites 1/2 at a time making sure there are no large lumps.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and place in the oven.
- Bake for about 50-55 minutes or until the cake is a dark brown on top and the center is not jiggly.
Notes
Nutrition
This is so interesting! I can’t believe I haven’t seen this magic cake idea yet, but now I’m definitely going to have to try it. I also love gingerbread and molasses and feel like they’re an underrated flavor this time of year. Glad to see them getting more love!
This looks delicious! I love gingerbread anything! Perfect for the holidays!
I can’t wait to try this out. I’m loving pumpkin this fall.
Oh my goodness that looks too good!
Thanks Erin, have a great week!
Hey, these look amazing! Do you think I could make them using Gluten-free flour?
Melissa, you could try, but I have a feeling it would be more dense if anything. It depends on the blend of flour you end up using, do you have a favorite?
You can bet I’ll be baking this soon! I love love love gingerbread!
Me too Christina and although this isn’t as dark and deep as an original gingerbread loaf it still has those flavors :)
I too enjoy gingerbread, esp. in this time of the year. These magic bars look divine!
Thanks Angie :)
This looks fantastic. Bison makes a gingerbread beer that would pair perfect with this!
Shut up! Gingerbread beer??
You know I’ve never had a magic cake… MUST change this now. Looks amazing, Gerry!
You are seriously awesome! Love that shot of the powdered sugar raining down on the cake! Beautiful!!
Absolute, freaking perfection.
So cool Gerry! What a great flavor to try too. Your photos are outstanding!~
Thanks Tricia :)
magic indeed! Magic i will make this week for sure!
I love that shot with the dusting of powdered sugar, so good!
Gerry, your pictures are beautiful!! You seriously have some magic skills!
Thanks Lauren :)
Looks delish but could you please post the chocolate version as I am a chocoholic! Thanks! Love the pics!
Hi Deborah, the chocolate one is linked to the recipe :)
We stumbled upon your blog and love this recipe! Awesome!
Glad to have you guys :)
I want all the magic cake. I’m on a huge gingerbread kick right now
When you have the words gingerbread and magic in a title I’m all in. This looks amazing!
I have been wanting to try this magic cake business for so long. This is pretty much fantastic!!
You are the hero of magic cake! I need to try these magic cake recipes sometime soon!
Thanks Kristen :)
Ok so gingerbread and molasses are such a fave flavor combo of mine that I have a board for them. Just pinned this to that. I think this is your most amazing magic cake yet!! But that Guiness one does look pretty dang good & pumpkin too :)
And I love your new board’s title – artsy fartsy. :)
I’ve been wanting to try these magic cakes for a while. I was wondering, is it possible to substitute egg nog for the milk in this recipe? Egg nog and gingerbread seem like a great combination but I don’t know if the properties of the egg nog will change how the cake bakes. What do you think?
I love all things gingerbread too! The spicier the better. This looks just beautiful.
Thanks Eva!
does it matter if i late the molasses out of it i come from holland and i cant find it
yes, the molasses are key for this recipe, sorry..
Great photo with the showering of confectioners sugar.
I tried making these gingerbread magic cakes last night… They were burnt, like bad. I’m trying to figure out what I did wrong? They also were dry. This is the first recipe I’ve ever had difficulty with..(
This is so yummy and interesting gingerbread magic cakes. I tried this kind of recipe before but this is unique.
Wow! This is fantastic. I bet gingerbread magic cakes would be scrumptious amazing for kids. Will definitely try this for my son.
I have never tasted magic cake before. Thank you for this recipe!
gingerbread magic cake my favourite cake .its looks seriously awesome. your recipe interested. i like your recipe.
Gingerbread cake for this Christmas – magic! I didn’t really bake this recipe, but with your kindness, I started to like it. The magic is on how I baked it with loved.