World Famous Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing

I love everything gingerbread! It’s funny because I didn’t grow up eating gingerbread this is all apart of a very new and recent love affair with ginger! Today I am sharing a world famous Gingerbread Loaf recipe with cream cheese icing that will get you in the Christmas spirit in the blink of an eye!

Christmas Gingerbread Loaf Recipe

As winter wraps its icy fingers around us, there’s nothing quite like the warming sensation of a freshly baked Christmas Gingerbread Loaf. This recipe embodies the spirit of the holidays with its robust flavors of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon swirling in a tender, moist loaf. Glazed with a touch of tangy lemon icing and sprinkled with festive sugar crystals, this gingerbread loaf is the epitome of Christmas cheer on a plate.

What ingredients do you need for this gingerbread loaf?

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 Tablespoon of baking powder
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• a pinch of salt
• 1/2 Tablespoon of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1 stick of butter – melted
• 3/4 cup of Molasses
• 1/2 cup of raw natural honey – with the comb in the jar
• 2 eggs – beaten
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla

FAQs

1. Can I substitute the molasses? Yes, you can substitute molasses with honey, maple syrup, or dark corn syrup. The flavor will change slightly, but the result will still be delicious.

2. Can I make this loaf gluten-free? Absolutely! Substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure all other ingredients used are gluten-free.

Tips and Tricks

• Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.
• Don’t overmix the batter; this can lead to a tougher loaf.
• For a more pronounced ginger flavor, try adding some finely grated fresh ginger to the mix.

Variations

• Vegan Gingerbread Loaf: Substitute eggs with flax eggs and butter with coconut oil.
• Gingerbread Loaf with Nuts: Add a crunchy texture by folding in a half cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.
• Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf: Enhance the flavors by adding half a cup of dark chocolate chips into the batter.

Where to Serve

This Christmas Gingerbread Loaf makes a delightful breakfast treat on Christmas morning or a sweet snack during holiday gatherings. It’s also perfect for a cozy afternoon tea during the holiday season.

Storage

Wrap the loaf in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Yield: 8-10 Servings

World Famous Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

This gingerbread load with icing is great for any holiday dessert table!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 Tablespoon of baking powder
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• a pinch of salt
• 1/2 Tablespoon of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1 stick of butter - melted
• 3/4 cup of Molasses
• 1/2 cup of raw natural honey - with the comb in the jar
• 2 eggs - beaten
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla

Instructions

1. Set the oven to 350 degrees, and grease and flour a loaf pan; most are 9 X 5 inches.
2. In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, blend the butter, molasses, honey, cream, vanilla and eggs until smooth and creamy. 
3. Add the sugar, and brown sugar, and mix until smooth.  In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves until well blended. 
4. Add the to mixing bowl a little at a time, mixing between additions.  When all the flour has been added, turn mixer to medium speed, and blend well for about 15 seconds.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and mix again. 
5. Pour batter into loaf pan, and bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
6. Remove from the oven, and place on a wire rack to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then turn the loaf out onto the wire rack, and cool completely. 
7. While the loaf is cooling, make the icing. 
8. Rinse out the mixing bowl, and place the cream cheese in the bowl. 
9. Blend with the whisk attachment until smooth and creamy.  Add the Vanilla and cream, and blend.  Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until all the powdered sugar has been added. If the icing is too thick, add a few drops of the cream, or if it's too thin add a little more powdered sugar.  
10. Place the mixing bowl in the refrigerator until the Gingerbread loaf is completely cool. 
11. When the loaf is cool, place it on a serving plate, or bread plate, and ice the whole loaf with the icing. 
12. Place the left over icing in a small container, and keep in the refrigerator.  When serving the Gingerbread loaf, you can add a little icing to individual pieces if desired.  Serve and Enjoy!
13. Loaf serves 8 - 10

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 405Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 74mgSodium 221mgCarbohydrates 64gFiber 1gSugar 48gProtein 4g

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Have you ever made gingerbread loaf with cream cheese icing? Do you like to get food gifts? If you were to get a food gift, what would you prefer it be?