Ginger Cake with Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 cup buttermilk 
• 2 tablespoons crystallized ginger finely chopped
• 1 large eggs 
• 2.5 cups flour all-purpose
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger 
• 0.5 cup blackstrap molasses 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 10 servings crunch topping 
• 10 servings garnish: strawberries 
• 10 servings strawberry-vin santo sauce 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 0.8 cup butter unsalted softened

Equipment

• oven
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well.
2. Add egg, crystallized ginger, and molasses, beating until blended.
3. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.
4. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 8-inch round cake pans.
5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Cool cake layers in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool on wire racks. Split layers horizontally in half.
7. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Pat Crunch Topping on top and sides.
8. Serve with Strawberry Sauce.
9. Garnish, if desired.
10. Note: Cake can be made up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated.
11. Let stand at room temperature at least 2 hours before serving.