Makes 1 (10-inch) Bundt, 10-12 servings; adapted from New York Times’ Gramercy Tavern Gingerbread and The Marrow’s Ginger Stout Cake
Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously butter (use 1–2 tablespoons of softened butter) and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan of standard design. (Cake may stick to the pan if you use baking spray, so I do not recommend using it or an overly detailed Bundt pan with lots of nooks and crannies. Cake can be baked in smaller pans, filling them no more than ¾ full and adjusting the baking time down accordingly.)
Whisk together stout and molasses in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. Carefully whisk in the baking soda—it will bubble up. Set pan bottom into a bowl of ice water and leave to cool to room temperature.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, mix the sugars, eggs, and vanilla for 3 minutes. Add the oil and cooled molassesstout mixture. Mix to combine. While mixing, sprinkle in the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Mix in the candied ginger.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes and then invert onto a cooling rack. Serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream, spiked with several drops of orange bitters, if you have it.