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Spiced Holiday Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 10 slices
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger (for rich festive kick)
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup dark unsulphured molasses (like Grandma's)
  • 3/4 cup boiling hot water (blooms spices & activates crumb)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 1 cup powdered confectioners' sugar (for frosting)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (for frosting)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper with overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, fine sea salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and packed brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the egg and dark molasses until completely smooth.
  4. Add the dry ingredients in two additions alternately with the boiling water, mixing gently with a spatula just until combined (the hot water blooms the spices and creates an ultra-tender crumb).
  5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
  6. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then lift out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  7. Prepare frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until thick, creamy, and spreadable.
  8. Spread cream cheese frosting generously over cooled gingerbread loaf, dust with cinnamon or candied ginger bits, slice into thick pieces, and enjoy!

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

Calories: 285cal (14%) Carbohydrates: 42g (14%) Protein: 3.5g (7%) Fat: 11g (17%) Saturated Fat: 6.5g (41%) Cholesterol: 45mg (15%) Sodium: 210mg (9%) Potassium: 280mg (8%) Fiber: 1.2g (5%) Sugar: 26g (52%) Vitamin A: 8IU (0%) Vitamin C: 0mg (0%) Calcium: 6mg (1%) Iron: 12mg (67%)

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