Nothing says “Christmastime” quite like the taste of gingerbread. Our gluten-free Favorite Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf Recipe is loaded with that distinct warm ginger spice flavor along with a few other spices to warm your tastebuds and your tummy.
This classic recipe, filled with the comforting aroma of warming spices, has been a staple in our family for years. Let’s create this timeless gingerbread loaf, perfect for the Christmas season or whenever you crave the taste of delicious gingerbread.
Speaking of gingerbread, we think you’ll also love our very popular and scrumptious Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls and Gluten-Free Gingerbread Scones. Both excellent for breakfast, brunch or even dessert.
Enjoy a slice or two of this yummy gingerbread with a mug of hot cocoa, coffee, or even eggnog.
Also, feel free to customize this recipe to your own taste. In other words, if you don’t like something, don’t use it!
If dried cranberries isn’t your thing, leave em out. Or, sub out dried cranberries for raisins.
Likewise, with the cream cheese frosting. Now, personally I think the cream cheese frosting completes this gingerbread loaf, but if you don’t want it…it will still be delicious without it.
The thing I also love about this gingerbread recipe is that you can also wrap several slices in plastic wrap and tuck into a gift basket along with some other treats and give as a Christmas gift.
Why you’ll love this Favorite Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf Recipe
- It’s a timeless flavor that brings joy and smiles all holiday season long.
- It makes a wonderful hostess or neighbor gift.
- It’s easy enough to make and bring along for holiday parties and get togethers.
- It freezes well.
- Santa also loves gingerbread…so leave him a couple slices along with your Christmas cookies.
How to make Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf Recipe
- Preheat Your Oven: Heat oven to 350° F. Prepare a loaf pan by greasing it and lining it with parchment paper that folds over both sides (like handles).
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, molasses, milk, and vanilla extract and mix on low/medium speed until just combined. Set aside.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Combine ingredients: Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and blend on medium/high speed until everything is fully combined. Fold in dried cranberries, if desired.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake uncovered for about 50 minutes. Then tent foil over gingerbread loaf and bake again for about 20 more minutes. You’ll know the bread is done when inserting a toothpick in the center comes out clean or with little crumbs on it.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the gingerbread loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: This cream cheese frosting really completes the bread. Combine all of the frosting ingredients together and spread all over top of gingerbread loaf. Slice and enjoy!
This Favorite Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf Recipe is a holiday tradition. The rich ginger flavor, combined with the smell of the warm spices that fill the kitchen, creates the best gingerbread loaf.
Storing & Freezing
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Alternatively, it can also be left in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days.
To freeze, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place in freezer safe ziplock bag. Will stay good for up to 3 months.
Favorite Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9×5" loaf pan
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread:
- 1/2 c. butter, softened
- 3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 c. unsulphured molasses
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 c. milk
- 2 1/2 c. Bob's Red Mill all purpose 1 to 1 baking flour, or regular all purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3 tsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 c. dried cranberries, optional
For the Frosting:
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 TBSP. milk
- orange zest, optional
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Please leave us a comment and 5 star rating below.
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Thank you for stopping by. We wish you a very merry Christmas and hope you enjoy the holiday season with loved ones and take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
Happy holidays and happy eating!
Copyright © The Tickled Tastebud. All content and images are copyright protected. Do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, make sure to re-write the recipe in your own words and only list ingredients making sure to like back to this post for the original recipe and directions.
Copyright © The Tickled Tastebud. All content and images are copyright protected. Do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, make sure to re-write the recipe in your own words and only list ingredients making sure to like back to this post for the original recipe and directions.
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