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A homemade version of the Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf, this delightful treat captures the essence of the popular coffee shop offering. The moist and flavorful loaf is a harmonious blend of warm spices, molasses, and ginger, creating a deliciously spiced gingerbread experience. The loaf is typically made with a mix of flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Molasses adds depth and sweetness, while buttermilk contributes to the moist and tender crumb. The batter is often enriched with eggs and butter for a rich and indulgent texture. To mimic the signature Starbucks touch, a simple icing drizzle made with powdered sugar and milk may be added on top. This adds a touch of sweetness and a visually appealing finish. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee or as a standalone treat, this homemade Starbucks-inspired Gingerbread Loaf is a wonderful way to savor the cozy and comforting flavors of the holiday season.
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Starbuck’s Gingerbread Loaf

This homemade version of Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting is even more delicious! It's moist, flavorful, and topped with a thick, creamy frosting.
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Gingerbread Loaf, Starbuck’s Gingerbread Loaf
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

For the loaf:

  • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup apple butter
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp nutmeg

For the frosting:

  • 4 ounces cream cheese 1/2 block, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ – 2 cups powdered sugar
  • chopped walnuts for topping (optional)

Instructions

For the loaf:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray that has flour in it, like Baker's Joy.
  • Using a stand mixer or an electric mixer, mix together the butter and sugar until it becomes fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg, then mix in the apple butter.
  • Gradually add the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg). Once everything is mixed, pour the batter into your loaf pan.
  • Bake for about 55 minutes until the loaf has risen, and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Let it cool completely on a rack before adding frosting.

For the frosting:

  • Whisk the cream cheese with the vanilla, and then mix in 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If it's not thick enough, you can add a bit more sugar.
  • Spread a generous layer of the frosting over the gingerbread cake. Optionally, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top. Now, you can slice it and serve it!