Description
Warm holiday spices dance through this delightful Gingerbread Loaf Cake with buttercream frosting, delivering comforting winter memories. Rich molasses and zingy ginger create a perfect seasonal treat you’ll want to savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups (595 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) molasses
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Leavening and Flavoring:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare a cozy 8×4-inch loaf pan by thoroughly coating with grease and a light dusting of flour, ensuring easy cake removal.
- Sift together dry ingredients including flour, baking soda, aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, with a pinch of salt to enhance flavor complexity.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream butter and rich brown sugar until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like, airy texture.
- Incorporate eggs individually, allowing each to fully integrate before adding the next, creating a smooth, cohesive base.
- Drizzle in robust molasses and pure vanilla extract, gently folding to distribute these deep, warming flavors throughout the batter.
- Alternate adding the prepared dry ingredient mixture and tangy buttermilk to the wet ingredients, mixing with a delicate hand to prevent overmixing.
- Carefully transfer the velvety batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread evenly and create a perfectly level surface.
- Slide the pan into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven, allowing the cake to bake for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then gently release onto a wire rack to cool completely, developing its full flavor profile.
- Whip butter until impossibly creamy, then gradually fold in powdered sugar to create a luxurious buttercream frosting.
- Enhance the frosting with vanilla, a splash of heavy cream, and a whisper of salt, beating until light and fluffy.
- Once the cake has cooled, generously spread the buttercream, creating elegant swirls and peaks.
- Finish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a dusting of cinnamon, and decorative gingerbread cookies for a festive touch.
Notes
- Swap buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk for a vegan version of the gingerbread loaf.
- Reduce sugar content by using coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener for a lower-glycemic option.
- Toast ground spices briefly before mixing to enhance their aromatic flavors and deepen the cake’s warm, complex taste profile.
- Prevent dry edges by covering the loaf with aluminum foil halfway through baking if the top browns too quickly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg