Spiced Gingerbread Loaf (Printable version)

A moist gingerbread loaf rich with warm spices, perfect for cozy tea or coffee breaks.

# List of ingredients:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
05 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
07 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - ½ cup brown sugar
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - ¾ cup unsulphured molasses
12 - ½ cup milk

→ Optional

13 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
14 - ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
05 - Mix in molasses until the batter is smooth and uniform.
06 - Add dry ingredients alternately with milk in three portions, beginning and ending with dry, mixing until just combined.
07 - Fold in nuts and dried fruit if desired, without overmixing.
08 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface.
09 - Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10 - Allow loaf to cool in pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's impossibly moist inside with just enough spice to make you close your eyes and smile.
  • The batter comes together so quickly that you can go from bare counters to golden loaf in just over an hour.
  • One slice pairs perfectly with coffee, tea, or even a quiet moment alone.
02 -
  • Room temperature butter and eggs matter more than you'd think—cold ingredients won't blend smoothly and you'll end up with a dense loaf.
  • Unsulphured molasses tastes completely different from regular molasses, and it's worth seeking out for the depth it brings.
  • Don't open the oven door until at least 35 minutes have passed, or you risk a sunken center.
03 -
  • If your molasses is thick and hard to measure, warm it slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds so it pours smoothly.
  • A loaf pan that's too small will cause overflow and uneven baking, so measure your pan and stick to 9x5 inches.

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