Gingerbread cake

1. In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, flour, salt, baking powder and the spices cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves (sift them twice if possible).
2. Place the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
3. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes until creamy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time while running the mixer on medium speed for one minute to incorporate them well.
5. Add the vanilla extract and molasses and mix to incorporate.
6. Add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk alternately and mix well between each addition until the mixture is smooth.

Baking 

1. Preheat oven to 347°F/ 175°C and prepare 3 round cake pans of 6 inch / 15 cm diameter, greased and lined with parchment paper only in the bottom of the pan. 
2. Divide the mixture between the 3 prepared pans (use an electric scale to check that each pan has the same amount of batter).
3. Bake the 3 pans together in the oven for 30-35 minutes, after 30 minutes check for baking by sticking a toothpick in the center, it should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
4. Remove the pans from the oven and let them cool a bit before turning them out and letting them cool completely on a wire rack, upside down. 
5. When completely cooled, cover the cakes with plastic wrap and store at room temperature until ready to assemble.

Chocolate Trees:

1. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.
2. Place the melted chocolate in a pastry bag.
3. Draw thick Christmas trees on a sheet of parchment paper.
4. Let cool completely before peeling off.

Mascarpone whipped cream 

1. Place mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 1 minute. 
2. Then add the cold heavy cream and mix again with an electric mixer at medium speed for about 2 minutes until you have a thick frosting.

Assembly 

1. If necessary, cut out the bump of the cakes to have 3 layers of cake at the same level.
2. Place a cake board on a turntable and place the first layer of cake on top.
3. Spread a layer of mascarpone frosting and add 1-2 tbsp of orange jam in the center, smooth, and then cover with a little mascarpone frosting. 
4. Repeat this step for the next layer and place the last layer of cake.
5. Cover the cake completely with the mascarpone frosting, smoothing it with a spatula. 
6. Add a bit more frosting on top of the cake and decorate with the trees.
7. Place the cake in the fridge until ready to serve, and sprinkle with a little powdered sugar before serving to create a snow effect.