Description
Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Buttercream Frosting is the ultimate holiday dessert! Spiced, moist, and topped with creamy frosting, it’s perfect for gatherings or gifting. Add festive decorations for a show-stopping holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Gingerbread Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or more for desired consistency)
- Pinch of salt
For Decoration:
- Small gingerbread cookies (trees, stars, etc.)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Ground cinnamon for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×4-inch loaf pan by greasing and flouring it.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add molasses and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top, and bake for 55-60 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat butter until creamy, then gradually mix in powdered sugar. Add vanilla, heavy cream, and salt, beating until fluffy. Adjust cream for consistency.
- Frost the cooled cake with buttercream and decorate with gingerbread cookies, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.
Notes
- Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Freeze the unfrosted loaf for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before decorating.
- Use a piping bag with a star tip for a polished look.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg