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4.7 from 190 votes

Gingerbread Loaf

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By: Joanna Cismaru •11/14/22 327 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Gingerbread Loaf is a spiced ginger loaf topped with cream cheese icing and makes a perfect treat for Christmas entertaining and gift giving.

Gingerbread Loaf with cream cheese icing and red and green chocolate

Gingerbread Loaf

I want to talk a bit about this gingerbread loaf, which gave me a hard time until I got it just right. Had to make it 3 times before it turned out perfect. My issue with the first 2 was that the middle kept sinking which did not make for a pretty loaf, tasty but not pretty.

Fooled around with the recipe a bit, turned down the temperature in the oven and finally ended up with a beautiful loaf. The first time my batter was a bit too thick, and I kept opening the oven door, which is a big NO NO and I know that, but in all my excitement, I can’t help myself. The second time, everything looked great, but in the last 5 minutes of baking it sunk like the Titanic.

Gingerbread Loaf on cooling rack

Third time was a charm! I reduced the oven temperature, never opened the oven door till the end and added a bit more water and I ended up with a beautiful loaf!

However, I wanted something gorgeous for you guys, so I made this incredible cream cheese icing, which I couldn’t stop licking the bowl, then drizzled it with some red and green chocolate.

What a beauty this was, and definitely tasty, so perfect with a cup of coffee! I was so happy it turned out so great, I didn’t even want to cut into it.

Gingerbread Loaf with cream cheese icing on cooling rack

How to Make the Perfect Gingerbread Loaf

Start by preheating your oven and prepare your loaf pan by spray it with some cooking or baking spray.

Whisk together all the dry ingredients then mix the butter, with the brown sugar until combined. Add the egg and vanilla and blend them in.

In a small bowl whisk together the molasses and the hot water. Alternate between the molasses mixture and the dry ingredients and add to the mixer bowl until all the ingredients are well combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes. DO NOT open the oven door at all during the baking time or your bread my sink. If you need to peek at all, turn on your oven light.

Gingerbread Loaf on a white platter

How to Store Gingerbread Loaf

Store the loaf in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.

Can You Freeze Gingerbread Loaf

Yes, it freezes well. Wrap it up with plastic wrap and place it an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If you’re a fan of gingerbread loaves, you’ll love this bread. You could even make this in little mini gingerbread loaf pans and give them away as Christmas gifts. People will love them!

2 slices of Gingerbread Loaf on a white plate

Looking for More Quick Bread Recipes? Try These:

  • Olive Ham and Cheese Loaf
  • Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf
  • Marbled Chocolate Banana Loaf
  • Cranberry Quick Bread
  • Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

top shot of a sliced gingerbread loaf with cream cheese icing
4.65 from 190 votes

Gingerbread Loaf With Cream Cheese Icing

Prep 15 minutes minutes
Cook 50 minutes minutes
Total 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
10
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This Gingerbread Loaf is a spiced ginger loaf topped with cream cheese icing and makes a perfect treat for Christmas entertaining and gift giving.
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • ⅓ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 egg (at room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup dark molasses
  • ¾ cup hot water (from tap)

For Cream Cheese Icing

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 ounce cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 ounce red Candy Melts
  • 2 ounce green Candy Melts

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 325 F degrees. Coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking or baking spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of your mixer, add the butter and brown sugar, and beat on high speed using your paddle attachment, for about 1 minute. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat together for another 30 seconds or until well blended, scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  • Meanwhile in another smaller bowl whisk together the molasses with the hot water.
  • Add a third of the flour mixture and beat on low until well incorporated, then 1/3 of the molasses/water and continue beating. Repeat this a couple more times, alternating between flour and molasses mixture. Please note that the batter will be quite thin.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 50 minutes or until baked through. To test if the loaf is baked through, insert a toothpick in the center of the loaf, and if it comes out clean, it is done.
  • Allow the bread to cool until it comes to room temperature in the pan, before removing it from the pan.
  • To make the icing, add the powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract and lemon juice to the bowl of your mixer and beat on high using the whisk attachment until smooth. Spread the icing over the loaf, the icing should be quite thick, so it should be easy to spread.
  • Melt the the red and green candy melts, if using, in the microwave. I usually microwave them for 1 min, stir then microwave for another 30 seconds and they should be melted. Drizzle the chocolate using a teaspoon over the gingerbread loaf.
  • Cut into slices and serve.

Notes

All ovens are different, so the baking time could vary quite a bit. Do not open the oven door while the bread is baking, this could cause the middle of the loaf to sink.
Store the gingerbread loaf in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap, in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 400kcal (20%)Carbohydrates: 70g (23%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fat: 11g (17%)Saturated Fat: 7g (44%)Cholesterol: 46mg (15%)Sodium: 258mg (11%)Potassium: 445mg (13%)Sugar: 50g (56%)Vitamin A: 370IU (7%)Vitamin C: 0.6mg (1%)Calcium: 86mg (9%)Iron: 2.6mg (14%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

top shot of a sliced gingerbread loaf with cream cheese icing

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Through Jo Cooks, I invite you to join me in my kitchen as we explore delicious recipes from around the globe, celebrate the joy of cooking, and make every meal a memorable one. Happy cooking!

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327 Comments
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Robin Douglas
Robin Douglas
Posted: 6 years ago

5 stars
My favorite tradition is turning all the lights out except the Christmas tree lights and watching Christmas movies with the kids.

0
Reply
Nicole B.
Nicole B.
Posted: 6 years ago

My favorite Christmas tradition is baking for myself and my cat. I love making festive homemade cat treats for him!

0
Reply
Laura T
Laura T
Posted: 6 years ago

5 stars
My favourite Christmas tradition is making a gingerbread village with my sisters and cousins! It’s even more fun now as people start to have their own children bringing extra excitement to our baking and decorating adventures!

0
Reply
Cheryl
Cheryl
Posted: 6 years ago

5 stars
Every year we watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, that has been a tradition of our for quite a while. This year how ever will be the first year our daughter can’t be here for Christmas, so hopefully our new tradition will be having her here as well! Thanks for the chance to win and Merry Christmas. Love your food/recipes!!

1
Reply
Fenne Kieken
Fenne Kieken
Reply to  Cheryl
Posted: 6 years ago

Thank you Cheryl. Watching It’s a wonderful life was part of our Christmas tradition as well for many years. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season and thanks for being a part of our Jo Cooks community and loving our recipes.

0
Reply
Michelle Willms
Michelle Willms
Posted: 6 years ago

My favorite Christmas tradition is cooking for the holidays with my children. My mother did it with me (my sister didn’t like cooking-and still doesn’t), and I’ve always allowed my children to help in the kitchen. Christmas is a time of making treats, dancing (even more) in the kitchen, and singing Christmas carols while cooking. It’s sharing tales, good times, and looking forward to even more in the year to come.

Thank you for all you share with us. May your holidays be filled with beauty and light.

0
Reply
Portia
Portia
Posted: 6 years ago

5 stars
my favorite Christmas tradition is Christmas pajamas and leaving cookies out for Santa with the kids!

0
Reply
Margaret St Germain
Margaret St Germain
Posted: 6 years ago

3 stars
Christmas Caroling

0
Reply
Heather S
Heather S
Posted: 6 years ago

I follow you on all three. My favorite tradition is definitely the special menus!

0
Reply
Vivian L
Vivian L
Posted: 6 years ago

5 stars
Since my parents are Buddhist we have never really celebrated Christmas. I’ve only celebrated Christmas with my friends and their families.
And now that I’m living on my own with my boyfriend, I am happy to see that our tradition is to decorate the tree & just to spend time with our five fur babies 🙂

Your recipes are defiantly going to be making a debut every Christmas/thanksgiving!

I have been making at least 2-3 of your recipies a week and most of them are making it into the books forever <3

Happy holidays !

0
Reply
Bee
Bee
Posted: 6 years ago

Painting Christmas cookies!

0
Reply
Bee
Bee
Posted: 6 years ago

Painting Christmas cookies with my sisters!

0
Reply
Kayla
Kayla
Posted: 6 years ago

5 stars
My favorite Christmas Traditions are going to the tree farm and cutting down our tree and making sugar cookies for Santa with the kids ? Merry Christmas!

0
Reply
Rebecca McAfee
Rebecca McAfee
Posted: 6 years ago

Making gingerbread men with my dad

0
Reply
Donna
Donna
Posted: 6 years ago

5 stars
My favorite tradition is breakfast French toast bake that’s been soaking all night after opening presents, watching all the Christmas parades and then sledding. After that, hanging with the family, smelling the ham cooking and the family dinner that night and just all of the conversations that go with the whole day. Just making great memories with great food with the people I love.

0
Reply
Maude Nosky
Maude Nosky
Posted: 6 years ago

5 stars
My favorite tradition is family & friends!

0
Reply

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I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is the place where I share my passion for easy and delicious recipes. From comforting classics to global flavors, I believe that cooking should be fun, approachable, and most importantly, rewarding. Join me on this culinary journey and let’s get cooking!

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