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Home / Recipes
1 hour 5 minutes
4.65 from 190 votes
327 Comments

Gingerbread Loaf

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  • 263
by: Joanna Cismaru

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

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top shot of a sliced gingerbread loaf with cream cheese icing

Gingerbread Loaf With Cream Cheese Icing

4.65 from 190 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 1 hr 5 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 10
Print Pin Rate
This Gingerbread Loaf is a spiced ginger loaf topped with cream cheese icing and makes a perfect treat for Christmas entertaining and gift giving.

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
  • â…“ 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
US Customary – Metric

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.

Recipe 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%)
Course:Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine:American
Keyword:christmas recipes, gingerbread loaf, quick breads
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
The content for the Kitchen Aid mixer that originally accompanied this post has been removed from this post because the Giveaway has finished.
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Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Margaret St Germain says

    December 22, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    3 stars
    Christmas Caroling

    Reply
  2. Heather S says

    December 22, 2016 at 12:15 pm

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

    Reply
  3. Vivian L says

    December 22, 2016 at 11:29 am

    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 !

    Reply
  4. Bee says

    December 22, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Painting Christmas cookies!

    Reply
  5. Bee says

    December 22, 2016 at 11:02 am

    Painting Christmas cookies with my sisters!

    Reply
  6. Kayla says

    December 22, 2016 at 9:57 am

    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!

    Reply
  7. Rebecca McAfee says

    December 22, 2016 at 9:55 am

    Making gingerbread men with my dad

    Reply
  8. Donna says

    December 22, 2016 at 9:46 am

    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.

    Reply
  9. Maude Nosky says

    December 22, 2016 at 9:37 am

    5 stars
    My favorite tradition is family & friends!

    Reply
  10. Lea says

    December 22, 2016 at 8:52 am

    5 stars
    Spending time with family

    Reply
  11. Pam Westrom says

    December 22, 2016 at 8:37 am

    My favorite part of Christmas is getting the family all together enjoying meals together, playing games, hearing about their lives – just enjoying each others company.

    Reply
  12. Jeri Tschappat says

    December 22, 2016 at 8:33 am

    5 stars
    my tradition was and wish it still was but it was Christmas Eve service at church, the family, music and of course message from the preacher. People age, we lose them. Families change, sad. I truly loved that for Christmas Eve. I follow you on Facebook and enjoy your blog very much. Love the Santa hat on JoCooks.

    Reply
  13. Kathleen Jones says

    December 22, 2016 at 8:24 am

    5 stars
    Our favorite Christmas tradition is watching, “The Christmas Story” with our leg light on while I bake the turkey and all the trimmings. We play games and once we are finished with the balloons as reindeer antler building we shoot them at each other for a great laugh. We have a smallish family and don’t get together very much so this day means a lot to us.

    Reply
  14. Brenda Brown says

    December 22, 2016 at 8:23 am

    My favorite Christmas Tradition is 2 things. 1) we ALWAYS get a present to open on Christmas Eve. It’s always a near pair of PJs for Santa. 2) We have Fried Tacos for Christmas Dinner. YEAH!!

    Reply
  15. Ruth Walton says

    December 22, 2016 at 8:11 am

    5 stars
    My favorite tradition is wrapping gifts with my son. We get to spend quality time together. I also make alot of goodies and make up bags for friends and family. Everyone comes to my house for Christmas dinner.

    Reply
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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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