Easy Gingerbread Loaf

Have a delicious holiday treat- Gingerbread Loaf topped with pillowy clouds of cream cheese frosting. This impressive bread recipe is easy to bake, customizable and perfect to eat any time of the day!

Looking for more holiday-themed desserts? Try my Fan-favorite Peppermint Oreo Cookies, Easy Cookie Dough Bites, or my easy Magic Cake.

What is Gingerbread Loaf?

Gingerbread refers to baked goods typically flavored with ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon with honey, sugar, or molasses as sweeteners. The term “gingerbread” is originally derived from a Latin word “zingiber” which refers to “preserved ginger”.

Eventually, it referred to a confection made with honey and spices. The first known recipe for “Soft gingerbread to be baked in pans” comes from American Cookery in 1796 by Amelia Simmons.

This deliciously spiced gingerbread loaf is topped with a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting which adds a decadent touch to this simple cake. Try baking this easy gingerbread loaf recipe and your house will smell so good and put you in a completely festive holiday state of mind.

It is absolutely great for all occasions, but especially for holidays like Christmas. It is lovely and rich enough to serve as breakfast, snacks or dessert!

Health Benefits of Ginger:

• Lowers blood sugar level
• Eases menstrual period pains
• Lowers cholesterol
• Protects against chronic diseases
• Relieves indigestion
• Fights germs
• Soothes sore muscles
• Curbs cancer growth

Tips and Procedures:

• Feel free to adjust the proportions of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and applesauce to suit your taste.
• You may naturally sweeten your gingerbread loaf using honey or molasses.
• You can sprinkle cinnamon, cranberries or chopped walnuts on top for a better look.
• Alternatively, you can top this loaf with orange icing or vanilla icing instead of cream cheese icing.
• Storage: Tightly wrap the gingerbread loaf or put in an airtight sealed container then place in the fridge, and it will last up to 7 days. Just keep in mind that the longer it is in the fridge, the faster it will dry out.

How to Make Gingerbread Loaf:

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

Gingerbread Loaf

• unsalted butter
• granulated white sugar
• vanilla extract
• egg
• applesauce
• all-purpose flour
• cinnamon
• ground ginger
• nutmeg
• baking soda

Cream Cheese Frosting

• cream cheese
• unsalted butter
• vanilla extract
• powdered sugar
• salt 

Preheat oven to bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease the sides and bottom of a 9×15 bread loaf pan with oil spray. Sprinkle sides and bottom of the baking pan with flour. Or use an oil spray with flour. Set aside. 

In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, blend the softened butter and sugar until it becomes light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla, egg, and apple sauce until well combined:

Gradually sift in the dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and baking soda). Beat with the mixer on low each time you add in some of the dry ingredients. Once you have sifted in all the dry ingredients and they are starting to come together, mix on high for 2-3 more minutes, scraping the side of the bowl as you go with a baking spatula. 

Pour gingerbread batter into the prepared bread loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the baked gingerbread loaf immediately to a cooling rack and let cool completely for at least one hour before putting cream cheese icing on top: 

Cream cheese Frosting:

While the gingerbread loaf is baking in the oven, begin preparing your icing. In the bowl of your stand mixer or with a hand mixer, whip the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla on a medium-high speed for 2 minutes or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Gradually add in the icing sugar starting at a low speed and moving up to high speed once all the ingredients are starting to come together. Whip on high speed until the icing becomes light and airy (approximately 3 minutes). Cover bowl with cling wrap and chill in the refrigerator until gingerbread loaf is done baking and cooled:

When gingerbread loaf is completely cool, spread the cream cheese icing evenly on top of your loaf. Cut into 12 even slices with a serrated knife and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions: