Easy Gingerbread Loaf
The apple butter in this ginger loaf cake yields an aromatic, flavorful, and moist treat. Best served with a sweet, creamy apple butter cream cheese spread!
Servings: 24
Ingredients
For the gingerbread loaf:
- 4 cups flour
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup apple butter
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
For the optional apple butter cream cheese spread:
- 3 ounces whipped cream cheese
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple butter
Instructions
For the gingerbread loaf:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.4 cups flour, 1 ¾ cups sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 4 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, apple butter, milk, and maple syrup.2 eggs, ¾ cup apple butter, 1 ½ cups milk, 1 cup pure maple syrup
- Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Pour batter evenly into two 9x5 inch loaf pans then bake for about 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and remove from loaf pan.
For the optional apple butter cream cheese spread:
- Combine the cream cheese with the apple butter.1 ½ tablespoons apple butter, 3 ounces whipped cream cheese
Notes
- Overmixing can cause the loaf to be dense, so mix just until the dry and wet ingredients are combined.
- To reduce the baking time, you can bake the batter in mini loaf pans. These smaller loaves will take about 30-40 minutes to bake.
- Stir in ½ to 1 cup of chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), raisins, or chocolate chips to give the loaf extra texture and flavor.
- Add 1 teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the batter for a citrusy contrast to the spices.
- Add spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves) as desired into the apple butter cream cheese to taste.
Additional Serving Suggestions:
- When serving, microwave a slice for 10 seconds or so to warm it.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or whipped coconut cream for an indulgent treat.
- Decorate the loaf with a dusting of powdered sugar and top with dried cranberries or candied ginger for a festive holiday presentation.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 143mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg
