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1
Preheat oven to 350F.
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2
Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray.
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3
Line bottoms with parchment.
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4
Mix flour, crystallized ginger, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in medium bowl.
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5
Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy.
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6
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until well blended after each addition.
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7
Mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions each, scraping down sides of bowl.
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8
Beat just until batter is smooth.
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9
Divide batter between prepared pans.
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10
Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
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11
Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes.
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12
Run small knife around pan sides to loosen cakes.
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13
Turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely.
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14
Peel off parchment.
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15
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy.
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16
Add brown sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger and vanilla; beat until well blended.
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17
Mix in 1/4 cup crystallized ginger.
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18
Place 1 cake layer on platter.
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19
Spread 1 cup frosting over.
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20
Top with second cake layer.
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21
Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
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22
Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup crystallized ginger decoratively atop cake.
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23
(Can be made 1 day ahead.
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24
Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.
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25
Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.)