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To make a delightful gingerbread loaf, gather these key items: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 2 teaspoons ground ginger - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup molasses - 1/2 cup hot water These ingredients work together to create a rich, spiced loaf. The butter and sugars give it a sweet, tender crumb, while the spices add warmth and depth. For the creamy topping that brings it all together, you’ll need: - 8 oz cream cheese, softened - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened - 2 cups powdered sugar - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract This frosting is smooth and rich. The cream cheese gives it a tangy flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the loaf. You can enhance your gingerbread loaf with these optional items: - Zest of 1 orange This zest adds a bright note. It lifts the flavors and gives your loaf a unique twist that everyone will love. Consider adding it to your frosting for an extra burst of flavor. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Grease it well, then sprinkle some flour inside. This helps the loaf come out easily after baking. In a medium bowl, gather your dry ingredients. Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 2 teaspoons of ground ginger. Next, mix in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon each of nutmeg and cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Whisk these together until well blended. Now, take a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to cream together 3/4 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Mix until it looks light and fluffy. Then, add 2 large eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Pour in 1/2 cup of molasses and mix until combined. Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet mixture. Alternate this with 1/2 cup of hot water. Start and end with the dry mix. Stir just until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Check with a toothpick; it should come out clean when done. While the loaf cools, make the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together 8 oz of softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup of softened unsalted butter. Mix until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy. Stir in 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Add zest from 1 orange for a fun twist if you like. Once the loaf is completely cool, take it out of the pan. Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top. Enjoy a slice with tea or coffee to make your day special! For a soft and moist gingerbread loaf, use fresh spices. Old spices lose flavor. Mix the dry ingredients well to avoid lumps. This helps the loaf rise evenly. Add eggs one by one to keep the batter smooth. Do not over-mix; stop when just combined. This keeps the loaf fluffy and tender. Use room-temperature butter and eggs. Cold ingredients don’t blend well, affecting texture. Preheat your oven fully before baking. This ensures even cooking. Check the loaf with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, it’s done. Let it cool in the pan for ten minutes. This prevents breaking when you transfer it. To make your loaf look stunning, use a nice platter. Slice the loaf evenly for a professional look. Spread frosting thickly on top for a gourmet finish. Add candied ginger or a sprinkle of cinnamon for flair. Serve with a warm drink to enhance the flavors. These tips will impress your guests and enhance your baking experience. {{image_2}} You can spice up your gingerbread loaf in many ways. Try adding a pinch of cardamom for a warm flavor. Mixing in some allspice can also give it a nice kick. If you love a bit of heat, consider adding a dash of cayenne pepper. These spices will make your loaf stand out. For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Look for a blend that includes xanthan gum. This helps keep the loaf soft and moist. Be sure to check the other ingredients, too, as some can contain gluten. Enjoy the same great taste without worrying about gluten. You can make your gingerbread loaf even more exciting by adding nuts or fruits. Chopped pecans or walnuts add a nice crunch. Dried cranberries or chopped apples bring sweetness and moisture. Just remember to adjust the flour slightly if you add a lot of extra ingredients. These additions create a delightful twist on a classic recipe. To keep your gingerbread loaf fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. This helps lock in moisture. Place the wrapped loaf in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. Store it at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. To freeze your gingerbread loaf, let it cool completely first. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Then, wrap it again in aluminum foil. Label the package with the date. The loaf can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, just thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat your gingerbread loaf, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the loaf and place it in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. This will warm it up nicely. Alternatively, you can slice the loaf and use a microwave. Heat each slice for about 15-20 seconds. Enjoy the warmth and spice! Yes, you can use different sugars. Brown sugar gives a deep flavor. If you want more sweetness, use white sugar or a mix. Just keep the total amount the same. You can also try coconut sugar for a unique twist. It has a caramel-like taste. Each sugar will change the loaf's texture and flavor slightly. Experiment and find your favorite blend! The gingerbread loaf stays fresh for about one week. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps it moist and tasty. If you want it to last longer, refrigerate it. It can last up to two weeks in the fridge. Make sure you wrap it well to avoid drying out. Yes, you can make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge. It will keep well for about a week. Before using, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This softens it up for easy spreading. You can also whip it again to make it fluffy! In this blog post, we explored the main ingredients for a delicious gingerbread loaf and its cream cheese frosting. I shared step-by-step instructions to help you bake like a pro. We covered tips for a bakery-style texture and variations to suit your taste. Lastly, I provided storage advice to keep your loaf fresh. Now, you can enjoy baking your own gingerbread loaf with fun twists. Happy baking!

Bakery-Style Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

Indulge in bakery-style gingerbread loaf with cream cheese frosting that will elevate your holiday baking! This moist and flavorful gingerbread loaf features the perfect blend of spices and is topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. It's easy to make and perfect for sharing. Click through for the full recipe and impress your friends and family with this delicious treat!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup molasses

1/2 cup hot water

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Zest of 1 orange (optional for a unique twist)

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

      In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

        Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined. Then, mix in the molasses.

          Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the hot water. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.

            Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

              Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

                Once baked, let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

                  For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

                    In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.

                      Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest (if using).

                        Once the loaf is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top.

                          Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Servings: 10

                            - Presentation Tips: Slice the loaf and plate it on a decorative serving platter. Garnish with candied ginger pieces or a sprinkle of cinnamon for an enticing display. Enjoy with a warm cup of tea or coffee!