Go Back

Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Glaze

Gingerbread loaf with cream cheese glaze is a warmly spiced loaf baked until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. A smooth, drizzleable glaze finishes each slice after the loaf cools completely.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Cooling and setting 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the gingerbread loaf
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground cloves
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.5 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 egg large, at room temperature
  • 0.5 cup molasses unsulphured
  • 0.5 cup water hot
For the cream cheese glaze
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp milk

Equipment

  • 1 9x5-inch loaf pan

Method
 

Make the gingerbread loaf
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
  3. Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves together in a medium bowl.
  4. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until creamy, about 2 minutes.
  5. Beat in the egg until combined.
  6. Beat in the molasses.
  7. Mix in the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the hot water and beginning and ending with the flour mixture; mix just until combined.
  8. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool the loaf in the pan for 15 minutes.
  10. Turn it out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
Make the cream cheese glaze
  1. Beat the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until smooth.
  2. Beat in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and drizzleable.
Glaze the loaf
  1. Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled loaf.
  2. Let it set for about 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

For a smooth glaze, make sure the loaf is completely cooled before drizzling. Refrigerate covered for up to 4 days; freezer-friendly, preferably before glazing. For a dairy-free variation, use plant-based butter, cream cheese, and milk.