Eggnog Gingerbread Layer Cake #ChristmasSweetsWeek #Sponsored

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sweets & Treats, LorAnn, and Dixie Crystals, 
#ChristmasSweetsWeek sponsors. I received complimentary product for the purpose of review and recipe development, 
but all opinions are honest and they are my own. This page may contain affiliate links.

Well, we're at the end of #ChristmasSweetsWeek! Much gratitude to Terri of Love and Confections and Christie of A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures for coordinating this amazing event. Not only did they keep all of us bloggers organized, but they lined up some great sponsors. Please visit my kick-off post for information about the prizes and to enter the giveaway. You may also enter at the bottom of this post. Good luck!

And now for the final line-up of Christmas Sweets...

Beverages 

• Eggnog Martini from Everyday Eileen
• Frozen White Hot Chocolate from Jonesin' For Taste
• Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
• Salted Caramel White Hot Chocolate from Who Needs A Cape?
• Salted Caramel Mocha Latte from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Candies 

• Christmas Chocolate Coffee Fudge from For the Love of Food
• Cookie Butter Bark from Seduction in the Kitchen
• Eggnog Sugar Cookie Bark from 4 Sons 'R' Us
• Grinch Rice Krispie Treats from Cheese Curd in Paradise
• Homemade Fudge from Juggling Act Mama
• Pecan Rum Balls from Take Two Tapas

Desserts 

• Eggnog Gingerbread Layer Cake from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Butter Rum Glaze from Daily Dish Recipes
• Italian Anise Biscotti from Blogghetti
• Orange Meltaways from An Affair from the Heart

Eggnog Gingerbread Layer Cake

So, I can admit that this is the third gingerbread layer cake I made. The cake part was fine, but the frosting and decorations needed a little work. Thankfully, my tastetesters were game and didn't tire of it! And I finally did make a cake that not only tastes good, but looks good, too.

In this recipe I used sugar from Dixie Crystals, eggnog flavoring from LorAnn Oils, and fun sprinkles from Sweets & Treats*. Again, it's great to have such generous event sponsors.

Ingredients

Cakes (makes two 9" rounds)

• 1-1/4 C butter, room temperature
• 1 C unsulphured molasses
• 3/4 C granulated sugar (prefer Dixie Crystals)
• 3/4 C light brown sugar, lightly packed (prefer Dixie Crystals)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 t pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 t eggnog flavoring (prefer LorAnn)
• 3 C flour
• 1-1/2 t baking powder
• 1-1/2 t baking soda
• 1 T ground ginger
• 2 t ground cinnamon
• 1 t ground nutmeg
• 1/2 t ground allspice
• 1/2 t ground cardamom
• 1/4 t ground cloves
• 1/4 t ground fresh black pepper
• 1 C eggnog

Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

• 12 oz cream cheese, softened
• 12 oz butter, softened
• 1/2 C  light brown sugar, lightly packed (prefer Dixie Crystals)
• 1 t pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 t eggnog flavoring (prefer LorAnn)
• 3-1/2 C powdered sugar (prefer Dixie Crystals)
• 3 T eggnog

To Finish

• sprinkles (prefer Sweets & Treats)
• Spiced Eggnog Sugarmen cookies 

Procedure

Cakes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and line two 9" round cake pans with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until lightened and fluffy. Add in the molasses and sugars. Continue beating until well-combined. Beat in the eggs and extracts.

In medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices until combined. Alternating between the dry ingredients and the eggnog, mix everything together to form a thick batter.

Divide batter between prepared cake pans. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of the pan should come out clean or with crumbs, but not batter.

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

Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese. Beat in the brown sugar until well-combined. Add in the extracts, then gradually add powdered sugar to mixture. Beat until mixture is lightened.

To Finish

Once cakes have cooled, scoop a dollop of frosting between layers. Then apply an even layer on the top of the cake and sides of the cake. Sprinkle to decorate as desired. And, just before serving, press the cookies to the top and sides of the cake. Don't adhere them too early as they will get soggy.

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#ChristmasSweetsWeek products 

included in this recipe...

You may find Dixie Crystals on the web, 

on Twitter, on Pinterest, on Instagram, and on Facebook.

You may find Sweets & Treats on the web, 

on Twitter, on Pinterest, on Instagram, and on Facebook.

You may find LorAnn Oils on the web, 

on Twitter, on Pinterest, on Instagram, and on Facebook.

*DISCLAIMER: Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.