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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. Robin Douglas says

    December 22, 2016 at 9:55 pm

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

    Reply
  2. Nicole B. says

    December 22, 2016 at 8:03 pm

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

    Reply
  3. Laura T says

    December 22, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    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!

    Reply
  4. Cheryl says

    December 22, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    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!!

    Reply
    • Fenne Kieken says

      December 22, 2016 at 5:33 pm

      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.

      Reply
  5. Michelle Willms says

    December 22, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    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.

    Reply
  6. Portia says

    December 22, 2016 at 1:31 pm

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

    Reply
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Joanna Cismaru

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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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