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Gingerbread Loaf with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.5 from 133 reviews

This Gingerbread Loaf recipe delivers a moist, flavorful bread infused with warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, perfect for the holiday season. Topped with a rich, nutty brown butter cream cheese frosting, this loaf balances deep molasses sweetness with a creamy finish, making it an irresistible treat for gatherings or a cozy dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Gingerbread Loaf

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2/3 cup molasses
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons milk

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Loaf Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a one-pound loaf pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, kosher salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a medium bowl. Stir thoroughly to combine the spices evenly.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg with vanilla extract until blended.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the room temperature butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
  5. Add Molasses and Egg: Mix in the molasses until the mixture is smooth, then add the egg and vanilla mixture. Beat on medium speed for about one minute, scraping down the bowl as necessary.
  6. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Remove the paddle from the mixer. Fold in one-third of the dry ingredients by hand, then add one-third of the buttermilk. Alternate adding the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk in thirds, folding gently each time to avoid overmixing the batter.
  7. Bake the Loaf: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the Loaf: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Then, lift the parchment paper to remove the loaf from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Brown the Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir continuously as it foams and sizzles; continue cooking until the butter turns an amber color and releases a nutty aroma, about 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  10. Cool Brown Butter: Transfer the browned butter to a heatproof bowl and refrigerate, stirring every 20 minutes to speed cooling. Continue until the butter solidifies again and reaches room temperature, approximately 40-60 minutes total.
  11. Make the Frosting: With the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add the cooled brown butter and beat until fully combined and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
  12. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture on the lowest mixer speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Once all sugar is incorporated, increase to medium-high speed and beat until smooth. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
  13. Finish Frosting: Mix in vanilla extract and salt. Add milk one teaspoon at a time, beating on high speed until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
  14. Frost the Loaf: Once the gingerbread loaf is completely cool, spread the brown butter cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.

Notes

  • Store the frosted loaf in the refrigerator and remove 20 minutes before serving to let it come to room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.
  • The loaf and frosting freeze well for up to three months. For freezing, slice the loaf, individually wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and store in a freezer bag.

Keywords: gingerbread loaf, brown butter frosting, holiday bread, spiced bread, cream cheese frosting, molasses loaf, gingerbread recipe

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/gingerbread-loaf-with-brown-butter-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/