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Cozy Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Easy Maple Glaze

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A dense, moist gingerbread loaf cake with warm spices and a maple cream cheese glaze, perfect for cozy days and holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (170g) unsulphured molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) hot water
  • 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, then line it with a strip of parchment paper that hangs over the long sides.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together with a whisk or electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and glossy.
  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
  5. Add about half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir until just combined. Then pour in the hot water and stir again. Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and fold gently with a rubber spatula until no streaks of flour remain.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake for 50–55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil after 35 minutes.
  8. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the parchment sling to lift it out and transfer it to a wire rack. Cool completely.
  9. While the cake cools, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and maple syrup and beat until creamy. If the glaze is too thick, add milk or heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until it reaches a drizzling consistency.
  10. Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the maple cream cheese glaze over the top. Let it set for about 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use unsulphured ‘mild’ or ‘original’ molasses, not blackstrap. Let the cake cool completely before glazing. The cake tastes even better on day two. For extra flavor, sprinkle crystallized ginger on top of the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread loaf cake, maple glaze, easy gingerbread, cozy cake, holiday dessert

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-gingerbread-loaf-cake-with-easy-maple-glaze/