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Gingerbread Loaf with Frosting

Gingerbread loaf with white frosting, topped with chopped pecans, cranberries, and rosemary sprigs, on a rustic white board.

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This Gingerbread Loaf with Frosting is a festive holiday dessert made with warm spices, moist cake texture, and topped with rich cream cheese frosting. It’s perfect for gatherings, gifting, or enjoying with a cup of coffee.

  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (9x4 inch)
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 120g unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • Zest from 1 orange
  • 170g brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 30g vegetable oil
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 120g milk
  • 2½ tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 210g all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 100g pecans, toasted and chopped
  • 100g cream cheese
  • 4½ tbsp icing sugar
  • 1½ tbsp whipping cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F. Butter and flour a 22×11 cm (9×4 inch) loaf pan.
  2. In a bowl, cream together butter, orange zest, and brown sugar until fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition.
  4. Whisk in vanilla, vegetable oil, milk, and honey.
  5. In a separate bowl, combine flour, spices, salt, and baking powder.
  6. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula.
  7. Stir in the chopped pecans.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
  9. Bake for 60 minutes, checking doneness at 45 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil.
  10. Remove from oven, let cool completely before frosting.
  11. For the frosting, mix cream cheese, icing sugar, and whipping cream until smooth.
  12. Spread frosting on the cooled loaf and top with optional garnishes like chopped pecans or sprinkles.

Notes

  • Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature for best mixing results.
  • You can substitute pecans with walnuts or omit entirely.
  • This loaf stores well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze unfrosted loaf for up to 2 months; frost before serving.
  • Optional toppings include chopped nuts, sprinkles, rosemary sprigs, and powdered sugar.