Description
This Gingerbread Loaf with Cinnamon Frosting is a delightful spiced treat perfect for the holiday season or any cozy gathering. The loaf is moist and flavorful, infused with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and allspice, and topped with a sweet cinnamon glaze that adds the perfect finishing touch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Gingerbread Loaf
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons ground ginger
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 1 cup hot water
For the Cinnamon Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when the batter is ready.
- Prepare Loaf Pan: Spray a loaf pan generously with non-stick cooking spray (Pam) and set it aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fully combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract until everything is fully incorporated.
- Combine Molasses and Hot Water: In a medium bowl, stir together the hot water and molasses until the molasses is completely dissolved.
- Incorporate Molasses Mixture: Pour the molasses mixture into the wet ingredients in the standing mixer and mix until fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the mixer, mixing continuously until the batter is smooth and even.
- Pour into Pan and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Loaf: Remove the loaf from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool to room temperature, approximately 45 minutes.
- Prepare Cinnamon Frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, whole milk, and ground cinnamon until you have a smooth glaze.
- Apply Frosting: Carefully remove the cooled loaf from the pan and drizzle or pour the cinnamon glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set for about 10 minutes.
- Serve: Slice the loaf and enjoy this delicious gingerbread treat with its sweet cinnamon frosting.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Using hot water helps dissolve the molasses for better incorporation into the batter.
- You can test the loaf’s doneness by inserting a toothpick; if it comes out clean, it’s done baking.
- For a richer flavor, allow the gingerbread loaf to sit for a day before frosting if possible.
- If you prefer, you can substitute whole milk in the frosting with a non-dairy alternative for a dairy-free version.
