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–+ servings
old fashioned gingerbread loaf
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4.54 from 13 votes

Old Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf

Old fashioned gingerbread loaf recipe perfect for the holiday season!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 loaf
Calories: 442kcal
Author: Cheryl Bennett

Equipment

Ingredients

For the gingerbread loaf

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. cloves
  • 3 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 3 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup butter room temp
  • 2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup molasses I used Grandma's brand
  • 1/2 cup boiling water

For the maple bourbon glaze

  • 2 cups powdered/confectioners sugar UK: icing sugar
  • 2 - 3 tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1 - 2 tbsp. bourbon sub milk for non-alcoholic glaze
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • small pinch sea salt optional

Instructions

  • Make gingerbread loaf
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C)
  • Butter and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 loaf pan.
  • In a medium bowl - combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and salt. Set aside.
  • Using a hand mixer, cream butter and brown sugar in a separate medium bowl until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add eggs and beat until incorporated. 
  • Combine molasses and water, then add to batter.
  • Mix until just combined, scrape down bowl.
  • Add flour mixture and beat until just combined - do not overmix.
  • Pour into prepared pan and bake for 45 - 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
  • Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Carefully remove gingerbread loaf from pan. Place on cooling rack to cool completely before glazing.
  • Make maple bourbon glaze
  • In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, vanilla and salt (if using). Adjust to desired consistency, if needed, by adding more sugar or maple syrup.
  • Pour over completely cooled gingerbread loaf. Let icing set for at least an hour to harden before slicing.

Notes

• To glaze the loaf of gingerbread, set the cooling rack inside of a baking sheet to catch the excess glaze.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 595mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 57g