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Perfectly Spiced Gingerbread Recipe with Deep Molasses Warmth

A deeply spiced molasses gingerbread loaf with tender crumb, cream cheese frosting, and a gingerbread man decoration. Your new holiday baking essential.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Frosting and Decoration 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 10 people/slices
Calories: 345
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • Gingerbread Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1/2 cup hot water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting:
225g full-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Decoration:
1 to 2 gingerbread man cookies with white royal icing
Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting

Equipment

  • 1  9x5 inch loaf pan, greased and lined with parchment paper
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 medium mixing bowl or measuring jug
  • 1 Whisk and silicone spatula
  • 1 Hand mixer or stand mixer for the frosting
  • 1 Wire cooling rack

Method
 

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment.
    Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and all spices together in a large bowl.
      In a separate bowl, whisk butter, brown sugar, eggs, molasses, hot water, and vanilla until smooth.
        Pour wet into dry and fold just until combined. Do not overmix.
          Pour batter into pan, smooth the top, and bake 35 to 40 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
            Cool in pan 15 minutes, lift out, and cool fully on a wire rack before frosting.
              Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until thick and creamy.
                Spread frosting over the cooled loaf in a rustic swoosh. Dust with cinnamon. Press a gingerbread man cookie upright into the frosting to decorate.