Gingerbread Layer Cake | America's Test Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces/298 grams) sugar
• 1/4 cup (1 1/4 ounces/35 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 24 tablespoons (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces/248 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (3/4 ounce/21 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger (optional)