Cozy Gingerbread Loaf
A dark, moist one-bowl gingerbread loaf rich with molasses and warm spices, with a crackled top and a tender crumb.
Servings: 10 slices
Calories: 340kcal
Cost: 2
Equipment
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
- parchment paper
- 2 mixing bowls
- whisk
- rubber spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- wire cooling rack
- skewer or toothpick for testing doneness
- aluminum foil optional, for tenting while baking
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup hot water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with a parchment paper sling.
- Whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a second bowl, whisk together the melted butter, dark brown sugar, and molasses until smooth.
- Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract into the molasses mixture until glossy and fully combined.
- Pour in the hot water and whisk again. The batter will become thin.
- Fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients with a spatula, mixing only until the last streak of flour disappears.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Tent loosely with foil after about 40 minutes if the loaf is browning too quickly.
- Cool the loaf in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment sling and cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 4 days; the flavor deepens overnight. To freeze, wrap in plastic wrap followed by foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight on the counter while still wrapped.