There’s something undeniably cozy about the warm, spiced aroma of a freshly baked Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. This festive favorite brings together rich molasses, warming spices, and a luxurious layer of silky cream cheese frosting for a coffee shop-style treat made right at home. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, gifting homemade bakes, or simply indulging in seasonal comfort, this gingerbread loaf is a must-bake during the colder months.
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Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Loaf Cake
This Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting stands out for its deeply spiced flavor, incredibly moist crumb, and thick swirl of tangy-sweet frosting. Thanks to a generous mix of molasses and holiday spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, each bite is bursting with nostalgic warmth. It’s a great make-ahead dessert too — the flavor intensifies overnight, making it even more delicious the next day. Plus, the frosting layer is rich and creamy, elevating this loaf into a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday dessert table.
Essential Ingredients for Deep Flavor and Perfect Texture
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and a soft, moist texture
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and supports structure
• Eggs: Provide structure and ensure a moist, tender crumb
• Molasses: The star ingredient — gives deep color and bold gingerbread flavor
• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and balances sweetness
• Ground Ginger: Delivers a zesty, spicy punch
• Nutmeg: Lends depth and classic holiday flavor
• Cloves: Intensifies the aroma and adds bold spice
• Allspice: Rounds out the spice blend with warmth
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors
• Baking Powder + Baking Soda: Help the loaf rise and create a soft texture
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the batter
• Cream Cheese: Essential for the rich, creamy frosting
• Confectioner’s Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of both cake and frosting
Smart Substitutions and Dietary Alternatives
• Molasses Alternative: Try dark corn syrup or maple syrup for a milder flavor
• Dairy-Free Butter: Use plant-based butter for a vegan version
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend
• Egg Replacement: Use flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water per egg) for a vegan adaptation
• Lower Sugar Frosting: Reduce powdered sugar or use a monk fruit sweetener blend for a lighter touch
How to Make Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch loaf pan and line with parchment for easy release.
- Cream the butter and sugar together in a stand mixer for 4–5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the molasses.
- Add spices, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, mixing just to incorporate.
- Fold in the flour until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Pour batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 60–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil.
- Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Make the frosting by blending cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a food processor until smooth and silky. Adjust thickness with more sugar or tang with a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Frost generously once the cake is fully cool. Allow frosting to spill over the sides for a decadent finish.
Pro Tips for a Perfect Loaf Every Time
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking
• Don’t overmix the batter once flour is added to prevent toughness
• Bake ahead – the flavor deepens overnight for even richer taste
• Cover loosely with foil in the last 20 minutes if the top starts to brown too quickly
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days
Delicious Pairings and Creative Variations
• Serve with spiced chai, eggnog, or a hot cup of black coffee
• Add-ins: Mix in chopped walnuts or dark chocolate chips for extra texture
• Frosting twists: Add a hint of orange zest or cinnamon to the cream cheese frosting
• Mini loaves: Divide batter into smaller loaf pans for gifting
• Spicy version: Double the ginger and add a pinch of cayenne for heat
• Gluten-free: Use your favorite GF baking blend and check for doneness with a longer bake time
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting actually improves with time. Bake it a day ahead, wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, and store at room temperature. Frost just before serving for best results. To freeze, wrap the unfrosted loaf in plastic and foil, then thaw overnight before frosting and serving.
Whether you’re baking for a festive gathering or enjoying a quiet holiday moment, this gingerbread loaf brings all the comforting flavors of the season into your kitchen — with a rich cream cheese frosting that makes every bite worth savoring.
Wrapping Up: A Slice of Holiday Joy
If you’re looking for a foolproof holiday bake that fills your kitchen with festive aromas and your plate with pure joy, this Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the answer. Moist, rich, and deeply spiced, it’s a perfect balance of nostalgia and indulgence. Whether enjoyed warm with a hot drink or gifted to loved ones, this cake captures the season in every bite. Don’t forget — it tastes even better the next day, so go ahead and make it ahead of time. One loaf, endless comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store the Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
For best results, store the unfrosted gingerbread loaf at room temperature wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 2 days. Once frosted, it should be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container and consumed within 4–5 days. Always allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Can I freeze this gingerbread loaf?
Yes, this Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting freezes beautifully — just freeze the loaf without frosting. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature, then frost before serving. The spices and molasses flavor will deepen over time.
What makes this gingerbread loaf different from other holiday cakes?
Unlike a traditional fruitcake or light holiday sponge, this gingerbread loaf has a dense, moist crumb thanks to the butter, eggs, and molasses. The bold mix of spices — cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice — gives it that unmistakable holiday warmth. The thick layer of tangy cream cheese frosting makes it extra indulgent, setting it apart from simpler gingerbread versions.
More Relevant Recipes
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodles – Fall Cookie Recipe: These soft and chewy cookies blend warm spices with a hint of pumpkin, making them a flavorful companion to any gingerbread-style dessert. Their cinnamon-sugar coating offers a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy notes of the original loaf cake.
- Apple Cider Layer Cake: A rich, spiced cake infused with apple cider and layered with creamy frosting. This recipe delivers the same seasonal comfort and dense texture as the gingerbread loaf, perfect for festive gatherings and cool-weather indulgence.
- Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Sourdough Bread: With its warm spices and tender crumb, this bread mirrors the depth and richness of the gingerbread loaf. The cinnamon swirl adds an extra layer of sweetness that’s ideal for breakfast or dessert, especially when served with a dollop of cream cheese spread.
Gingerbread Loaf Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a richly spiced, moist holiday dessert packed with molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Topped with a thick, tangy cream cheese frosting, this coffee shop-style loaf is perfect for winter mornings, festive gatherings, or cozy treats at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature: adds richness and moisture
- 1 cup granulated sugar: provides sweetness and structure
- 3 large eggs: bind the ingredients and give structure
- 1/3 cup molasses: gives depth and classic gingerbread flavor
- 1/2 tsp salt: enhances overall flavor
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon: adds warm spice
- 1 tsp ground ginger: gives signature gingerbread heat
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg: adds subtle depth
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves: intensifies spice and aroma
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice: balances the spice mix
- 1 tsp baking powder: helps the cake rise
- 1/2 tsp baking soda: provides lift and helps with browning
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: forms the base of the batter
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature: base for creamy frosting
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar: sweetens and thickens the frosting
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: adds smooth flavor to frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 4–5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating for about 30 seconds after each. Mix in the molasses until combined.
- Add salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix briefly.
- Add flour and mix just until incorporated. Finish folding with a spatula to avoid overmixing.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 60–65 minutes, checking with a toothpick. Tent with foil if the top browns too fast.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a food processor, blend cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla until smooth and silky. Adjust thickness or tang with extra sugar or lemon juice.
- Once the loaf is fully cooled, frost with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting and let it drip over the sides if desired.
Notes
- Make a day ahead for deeper flavor; gingerbread gets better overnight.
- Store unfrosted loaf at room temperature, or frosted loaf in the fridge.
- Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing results.
- Freeze unfrosted loaf for up to 2 months; thaw and frost before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 741 kcal
- Sugar: 81 g
- Sodium: 342 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 104 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 151 mg