Name: Broonie Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Scottish
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp ground ginger; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (*softened to room temp, plus 1-2 tsp. for greasing baking pan); 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 whole egg; 2 egg yolks; 1 cup unsulfered molasses; 1 cup hot water (*about 130-150℉)

Jump to Recipe

If you adore old-fashioned bakes with warming spices and a comforting, dense crumb, you absolutely must try Broonie. This classic Scottish treat blends wholesome oats, rich molasses, and gentle spices into a cake that’s as perfect for teatime as it is for sharing with friends. Broonie is known for its golden color, unique texture, and nostalgic flavor—each bite is like a cozy hug from the Highlands. If you’ve never made it before, get ready for a delightful new baking tradition!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Broonie comes from a short list of pantry staples, each pulling its weight to create a fabulously moist and flavorful cake. These ingredients work in harmony to deliver sweetness, warmth, and just the right tender chew.

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates a rich, velvety base—don’t forget a bit extra for greasing your baking pan!
Granulated Sugar: Balances the deep, earthy tones of molasses and ensures a lovely crumb.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for Broonie, providing structure and a neutral canvas for the other flavors.
Baking Soda: Reacts with molasses to give the cake a gentle lift and tender texture.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds cozy warmth and a sweet hint of spice that complements the other flavors beautifully.
Ground Ginger: A must for Broonie’s signature zing and depth—you’ll taste the difference!
Salt: Just enough to heighten the cake’s complexity and balance the sweetness.
Quick Cooking Oatmeal: Brings authentic Scottish heartiness and a satisfying bite to every slice.
Whole Egg: Essential for binding the batter and ensuring moisture throughout the cake.
Egg Yolks: These make the cake extra rich and help with binding and color.
Unsulfered Molasses: Provides Broonie’s signature color and bold, nostalgic flavor profile.
Hot Water: Helps to dissolve the molasses, creating a smooth, pourable batter for an evenly baked cake.

How to Make Broonie

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350℉ and generously grease the bottom and sides of a 9 1/2 x 12 inch (or similarly sized) rectangle baking pan with 1-2 teaspoons of softened butter. This step ensures your Broonie releases flawlessly and gets a lovely golden edge—no sticky situations here!

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and oatmeal. Mixing the dry ingredients thoroughly at this stage evenly distributes the leaveners and spices, so every bite of Broonie tastes as it should—perfectly balanced.

Step 3: Cream the Butter, Sugar, and Eggs

Add the softened butter and sugar to your stand mixer and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes several minutes. Then crack in the whole egg and the two extra yolks, beating again. This step gives Broonie its irresistibly rich and tender crumb.

Step 4: Incorporate Molasses, Water, and Dry Mix

With your mixer on low, add about a quarter each of the molasses, hot water, and dry ingredient mixture to the egg and butter base. Scrape down the sides and repeat this process in thirds until everything is smoothly combined. Alternating the additions helps keep the batter silky and prevents lumps, ensuring the Broonie bakes up even and beautiful.

Step 5: Bake Your Broonie

Pour the prepared batter into your greased pan, smoothing the top gently with a spatula. Slide it into your preheated oven and bake for around 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—your kitchen will smell utterly amazing!

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let the Broonie cool in the pan so it sets up nicely and is easy to slice. It truly shines when served with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon. You’ll love the contrast between the spiced cake and creamy topping.

How to Serve Broonie

Garnishes

For a classic finish, top each slice with a cloud of freshly whipped cream and a dusting of ground cinnamon or ginger. If you want a little extra sparkle, try a drizzle of golden syrup or a scattering of toasted oats—simple touches that make Broonie feel extra special.

Side Dishes

Broonie pairs wonderfully with hot black tea, milky coffee, or even a spiced chai latte. For a fun afternoon spread, serve it alongside fresh berries or sliced apples, which accentuate the cake’s warm spice notes perfectly. For a Scottish-themed treat, try it with sharp cheddar on the side—the salty cheese brings out the molasses’ beautiful sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

You can cut Broonie into generous slabs, elegant squares, or even use cookie cutters for fun shapes—perfect for children’s parties or holiday trays. Stack the slices on a wooden board for a rustic effect, or arrange them with seasonal fruits and nuts for a chic dessert platter that celebrates the spirit of Scottish baking.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Broonie will keep beautifully at room temperature for up to three days if stored in an airtight container. The crumb stays moist, and the flavors become even more pronounced, making this an excellent treat to enjoy over several days.

Freezing

To freeze Broonie, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-top freezer bag. It keeps in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready for a taste of nostalgia, let the slices thaw at room temperature—you’ll hardly notice any change in quality.

Reheating

If you prefer your Broonie warm, simply microwave slices for about 10-15 seconds or heat gently in a low oven. This revives the cake’s tender texture and enhances the heady aroma of spices, making it irresistible all over again.

FAQs

Can I use regular oats instead of quick-cooking oatmeal?

Yes, you can use regular rolled oats, but a quick blitz in the food processor breaks them down for the best Broonie texture. Quick-cooking oats blend seamlessly, giving the cake a tender bite and ensuring it doesn’t turn out too chewy.

What’s the difference between Broonie and gingerbread?

While they share some warm spices, Broonie is denser due to oats and molasses, giving it a distinctly Scottish character. Gingerbread typically uses more flour, less oatmeal, and sometimes includes different spices or sweeteners.

Can I substitute treacle for molasses in Broonie?

You can substitute dark treacle for unsulfered molasses, but keep in mind that treacle is a bit more bitter and robust. The cake will still be delicious, just a touch deeper in flavor and color—a fun twist on classic Broonie!

Is Broonie suitable for making ahead?

Absolutely! In fact, Broonie’s flavor improves after a day as the spices settle and deepen. You can bake it a day or two before serving, wrap it tightly, and let the magic happen overnight.

What pan size works best if I don’t have a 9 1/2 x 12-inch pan?

If you don’t have the exact pan size, any similarly sized rectangle or even a 9×13-inch will work for Broonie. Just watch the baking time; thinner or thicker layers may cook a bit faster or slower, so check with a tester before removing from the oven.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of spices and molasses, Broonie is the cake to bake. Every bite is a delicious nod to Scottish tradition, and it’s simple enough to become an old favorite in your own home. Gather your ingredients, invite over a friend (or two), and treat yourself to the warm, comforting joy of homemade Broonie!

Broonie Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 17 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 1 cake (about 12 servings) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Broonie is a traditional Scottish cake that is rich with the flavors of molasses, cinnamon, and ginger. This dense and moist treat is perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350℉ and grease a 9 1/2 x 12 inch rectangle pan with butter.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and oatmeal.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer, cream together softened butter and sugar. Add egg yolks and egg, beat until light and fluffy.
Combine Ingredients: Gradually mix in molasses, water, and dry ingredients into the butter mixture, scraping down the sides after each addition.
Bake: Pour batter into the greased pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
Serve: Let cool, then serve with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.