Molasses Snack Cake With Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

greysangel's Note:

This is more like a cakey bar than a fancy cake...think snack cake or muffin top texture. I think this would make great cupcake batter as well. I love the tart frosting with the spicy molasses. It's a wonderful afternoon snack or light dessert.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 9

Yield: 9.0 squares

Cake

• cooking spray
• 2 cups cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fat-free buttermilk
• ¾ cup molasses
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter , melted
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 large egg , lightly beaten

Frosting

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese , softened

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. To prepare cake, coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray; line bottom of pan with wax paper. Coat wax paper with cooking spray.
3. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
4. Place buttermilk and next 5 ingredients (buttermilk through egg) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.
5. Add flour mixture to buttermilk mixture, stirring just until combined.
6. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack. Loosen cake from sides of pan with a narrow metal spatula; remove from pan. Peel off wax paper; cool completely on a wire rack.
8. To prepare frosting, place powdered sugar, lemon rind, and cream cheese in a bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Spread the frosting over top of cake.
9. Cut into squares.