Iced Gingerbread Loaf Cake
This easy recipe creates moist and flavorful gingerbread topped with a thin layer of vanilla bean icing. Refrigeration isn't immediately required so these loaves are great for gifting around the holidays or serving as a snack or dessert.
Servings 8
Calories 430kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Gingerbread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses (unsulphured, not blackstrap)
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste (or ¼ teaspoon ginger powder)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste*
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray. - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add molasses and ginger; mix to combine. Scrape down sides of the bowl, as needed.
- Next add eggs and vanilla. Mix to combine.
- With the mixer on low speed, add milk then dry ingredients.Mix just until dry ingredients are combined – don’t overmix or bread will become chewy and stiff!
- Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or just until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow gingerbread loaf to cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove it and move to a wire rack to cool completely before adding the glaze.
Icing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla bean paste.
- Pour glaze over cooled loaf and spread it to the edges so it just barely drips down the sides. Allow glaze to set for 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
*Can substitute with seeds from 1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
If using ginger powder instead of paste, whisk the powder in with other dry spices.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 310mg | Potassium: 432mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 3mg
