Gingerbread Loaf with Frosting – Best Holiday Recipe

Warm spices, a moist crumb, and a rich layer of tangy-sweet frosting — this Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting is the ultimate cozy treat for the holidays. Whether you’re looking for a homemade alternative to your favorite café-style slice or something festive to bake on a chilly morning, this recipe delivers. With crystallized ginger adding a delightful chewy bite and orange zest brightening up the creamy frosting, this gingerbread loaf is a seasonal favorite you’ll want to make all winter long.

A Cozy Holiday Classic You’ll Bake All Season

This gingerbread loaf stands out because of its texture and depth of flavor. Made without molasses, it relies on applesauce for moisture and sweetness, while crystallized ginger chips provide a punch of warmth and chewiness. It’s perfect for holiday brunches, gifting, or cozy evenings by the fire. The cream cheese frosting — with a hint of orange — complements the spiced loaf perfectly, making this a well-balanced and irresistible bake.

Ingredients That Make the Magic Happen

Each ingredient plays a specific role in creating the perfect gingerbread loaf with cream cheese frosting. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and structure to the loaf
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the moist crumb
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the warm spice notes
• Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture
• Unsweetened Applesauce: A natural sweetener that keeps the loaf moist without molasses
• All-Purpose Flour: The base structure for the bread
• Baking Soda: Ensures a good rise and soft crumb
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spice
• Ground Ginger: The star spice for warmth
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds sweet, woody depth
• Ground Cloves: Brings a bold, slightly bitter edge
• Nutmeg: Lends a nutty, earthy warmth
• Crystallized Ginger Chips: Chewy bursts of ginger flavor throughout the loaf

For the Frosting:

• Cold Cream Cheese: Creates a thick, tangy base
• Vanilla Extract: Adds sweetness and complexity
• Orange Extract: Brings brightness and a festive note
• Orange Zest: Lifts the flavor and adds aroma
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting

Smart Ingredient Swaps for Flexibility

If you’re missing an ingredient or have dietary preferences, here are a few substitutions:

• Butter: Use plant-based butter for a dairy-free option
• Egg: A flax egg or chia egg can work as a vegan substitute
• Applesauce: Try mashed banana or pumpkin puree for a twist
• Crystallized Ginger: If you can’t find it, finely diced candied ginger or even a touch more ground ginger works
• Orange Extract: Lemon extract or a splash of fresh orange juice can be used

These variations still result in a flavorful gingerbread loaf with cream cheese frosting, so don’t hesitate to experiment.

How to Bake the Perfect Gingerbread Loaf

This recipe is beginner-friendly and comes together in under 90 minutes, including bake time.

1. Preheat and Prep: Set your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set it aside.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream the butter for 2 minutes. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy (about 2 more minutes).
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the vanilla and egg. The batter may curdle — don’t worry! Add the applesauce and mix until smooth.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until combined. Do not overmix.
6. Fold in Ginger Chips: Use a spatula to gently incorporate the crystallized ginger chips.
7. Bake: Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F and bake for another 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool Completely: Let the loaf cool before adding frosting.
9. Make the Frosting: Beat cold cream cheese for 1 minute. Add vanilla, orange extract, and zest. Mix in powdered sugar gradually until smooth and thick.
10. Frost Generously: Spread a thick layer of frosting over the cooled loaf. Garnish with chopped walnuts or extra ginger chips if desired.

Pro Tips to Nail It Every Time

• Use Cold Cream Cheese: This keeps your frosting from becoming runny.
• Cover Loaf if Needed: If the top is browning too quickly, tent with foil to prevent overbaking.
• Don’t Overmix: Gently fold ingredients to avoid a dense loaf.
• Check Doneness: A clean toothpick from the center means it’s ready.
• Chill Before Slicing: For cleaner slices, refrigerate briefly after frosting.

These tips ensure your gingerbread loaf with cream cheese frosting is moist, fluffy, and perfectly spiced every time.

Pair It Right: What Goes with Gingerbread Loaf

This loaf pairs wonderfully with cozy drinks and seasonal flavors. Consider serving it with:

• Hot Apple Cider or Chai Tea Latte
• Spiced Hot Chocolate
• Maple-glazed roasted pecans on top
• A dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent twist
• For a gluten-free variation, use a 1:1 GF flour blend
• Add chopped cranberries or raisins to the batter for extra texture and tartness

Want to make it ahead? The loaf can be baked a day in advance and stored unfrosted at room temperature. Frost right before serving. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Why Gingerbread Is the Flavor of the Season

Spiced baked goods like this gingerbread loaf with cream cheese frosting are synonymous with the holiday season. Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are not only aromatic but also warming — perfect for colder weather. This recipe brings those classic holiday spices into a modern, soft loaf with a luxurious frosting twist, making it both nostalgic and refreshing.

Whether you’re baking for your family, holiday guests, or just for yourself, this gingerbread loaf is the kind of comfort food that never goes out of style.

Conclusion: A Seasonal Bake That Checks Every Box

There’s something deeply comforting about the warm spices of gingerbread during the colder months — and this Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting brings that comfort home in the most delicious way. Moist, flavorful, and topped with a bright, creamy frosting, this loaf is perfect for casual mornings, festive gatherings, or as a homemade gift wrapped in parchment and twine.

It’s a simple recipe that feels special, made with pantry staples and elevated with a few festive touches like orange zest and crystallized ginger. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or treating yourself to a slice of holiday joy, this gingerbread loaf is sure to become a repeat favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Relevant Recipes

• Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins: These moist muffins combine the cozy flavors of spiced pumpkin and apple with a crunchy streusel topping. A perfect complement to the warm spices found in the gingerbread loaf, making them ideal for holiday breakfasts or cozy snacks.
• Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Sourdough Bread: This naturally leavened bread is swirled with cinnamon and features earthy pumpkin flavors. Its spiced profile and comforting texture make it a great alternative or addition to any spiced loaf rotation.
• Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze: Rich, spiced pumpkin bread topped with a sweet maple glaze, this recipe shares the same festive and cozy vibes as the gingerbread loaf, with a focus on moist texture and warming fall spices.

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