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Best Ultimate Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Easy Cream Cheese Drizzle

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This ultimate gingerbread loaf cake is tender, moist, and packed with warm spices, topped with a tangy cream cheese drizzle. It’s perfect for any occasion, from holiday brunch to a cozy weekday treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (170g) unsulphured molasses
  • ½ cup (120ml) hot brewed coffee
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg and whisk vigorously for 30 seconds until pale and slightly thickened. Add molasses and vanilla extract; whisk until fully incorporated.
  4. Pour in hot coffee and whisk until smooth. The mixture will be thin.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture in two additions, folding gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
  7. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment handles and cool completely on rack (at least 1 hour).
  8. For the drizzle: Beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat on low, then add 2 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Beat on medium-high for 1 minute until smooth and pourable. Add more milk if needed.
  9. Once cake is completely cool, drizzle cream cheese mixture over the top. Let set for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap) for best flavor. Hot coffee deepens molasses flavor without adding coffee taste. Let cake cool completely before adding drizzle to prevent it from sliding off. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For vegan, use flax eggs, plant-based butter, and dairy-free cream cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread loaf cake, cream cheese drizzle, gingerbread, loaf cake, holiday baking, easy gingerbread recipe

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/best-ultimate-gingerbread-loaf-cake-with-easy-cream-cheese-drizzle/