Description
Gingerbread loaf with lemon icing is a moist, spiced loaf cake made with warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, topped with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze. It combines the earthy, comforting taste of gingerbread with the zingy freshness of lemon, making it a delightful treat for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, or a simple dessert to enjoy at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Gingerbread Loaf
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 3/4 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup hot water
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger (grated, optional for extra kick)
For the Lemon Icing
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Prepare for Baking
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Prepare pan: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt
Make the Gingerbread Batter
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes)
- Add molasses and egg: Beat in molasses and egg until well combined
- Add fresh ginger: If using, stir in grated fresh ginger
- Alternate wet and dry:
- Add 1/3 of flour mixture, mix until just combined
- Add 1/2 cup hot water, mix gently
- Add another 1/3 flour mixture, mix
- Add remaining 1/2 cup hot water, mix
- Add final 1/3 flour mixture, mix until just combined
Bake the Loaf
- Pour batter: Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan
- Bake: 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
- Cool: Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely
Make the Lemon Icing
- Sift sugar: Sift powdered sugar into a medium bowl
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in softened butter, lemon zest, and salt
- Add lemon juice: Gradually add lemon juice, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached
- Adjust: Should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle
Finish and Serve
- Ice the loaf: Once completely cool, drizzle or spread lemon icing over the top
- Set: Let icing set for 15-20 minutes before slicing
Notes
For a cozy twist, serve the gingerbread loaf slightly warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The lemon icing adds brightness, but you can also dust with powdered sugar for a lighter finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: Moderate
Keywords: Gingerbread Loaf with Lemon Icing Recipe