Gingerbread Loaf Lemon Glaze (Printable)
Warm spiced loaf topped with tangy lemon cream cheese glaze for festive or cozy occasions.
# Ingredient List:
→ Gingerbread Loaf
01 - 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
11 - 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
12 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
13 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
14 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze
15 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
18 - 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
19 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
20 - Pinch of salt
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter with the light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate the molasses until fully combined.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
05 - Add half of the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently. Pour in the milk and mix. Fold in the remaining dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 48 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
07 - Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until smooth. Adjust lemon juice to achieve desired consistency.
09 - Once the loaf is fully cooled, drizzle the lemon cream cheese glaze evenly over the top. Let the glaze set before slicing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The molasses gives it a deep, rich flavor that feels fancier than the effort required.
- That lemon glaze is the secret weapon—it keeps the loaf from feeling heavy and adds this bright finish that makes people ask for seconds.
- It's honestly foolproof, even if you're new to baking.
02 -
- Room-temperature eggs and milk actually matter here—they incorporate more smoothly and create a better texture than cold ingredients pulled straight from the fridge.
- Don't skip the cooling step before glazing; a warm loaf will make the glaze melt right off instead of settling into that pretty, glossy finish.
03 -
- Sift your powdered sugar for the glaze to avoid lumpy texture—it's a small step that makes it silky smooth.
- If your cream cheese glaze becomes too thick, thin it with lemon juice a teaspoon at a time; too thin, add a touch more powdered sugar.