Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

I walked into Starbucks the other day, and eyed their Gingerbread loaf really intensely. But instead of shelling out way too much money for a single slice, I thought “why not make my own?” So I did. And honestly—yes, I might be bias—I think mine came out 10x better, and cost less. I had almost all of these ingredients in my cupboards (the Molasses jar from my Molasses Pound Cake is still halfway full) except for the Philadelphia Cream Cheese which only cost £1.20 (it was on sale, but at full price it would still only cost £2.40).

Here’s the thing. I keep on mentioning prices, because I want this blog to feature easy recipes that anyone can make, without breaking the bank. There are tons of blogs out there that are either sponsored by Ingredients—i.e. flour, sugar—or bake desserts that are beautiful, but also completely unapproachable for the average baker. I feature only recipes I really love and/or have been making for years. I also do all the legwork, so that you wont have to—in terms of researching and trying out loads of different recipes to find the *best* version.

With that said, let's move on to the actual baking!

Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes 1 loaf

Recipe from tastesoflizzyt

Tools

Wax paper

Loaf Pan

Hand Mixer

2 large Bowls

Measuring spoons

Ingredients

Cake

2 cups Flour

1 tsp Baking Soda

1½ tsp Ginger

1 tsp Cinnamon

¾ tsp Nutmeg

¼ tsp Ground Cloves

½ tsp Salt

¼ cup Sugar

½ cup Molasses

½ cup Butter, softened

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

1 cup Buttermilk (OR place 1 tbsp of vinegar in a measuring cup, and fill the rest of the cup with milk. Let sit for a few minutes before using)

Cream Cheese Frosting

227 g/8 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese, at room temperature

1 tsp Vanilla

2 1/2 - 3 cups Powdered Sugar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F, and prepare your loaf pan (either by greasing it, or using wax paper). In a bowl, sift and stir together the Flour, Baking Soda, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, and Salt

2. In another large bowl, beat the Sugar, Molasses, Butter, Eggs and Vanilla all together, until mixed

3. Then add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, stirring just until blended after each addition. Pour the batter into your loaf pan and bake at for 55 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean

4. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, and then remove your loaf from the pan and place on a cooling rack to finish cooling

5. When your loaf is cool, prepare your Cream Cheese Frosting:  Beat the Cream Cheese with the Vanilla. Then add 2 1/2 cups of the Powdered Sugar and beat until smooth and creamy (if you want a thicker consistency, then add a bit more sugar). Spread evenly on your loaf.

As always, the recipe card is below. Don't forget to share with your friends and family!