Soft & Moist Spiced Gingerbread Loaf with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Icing

A soft and moist gingerbread loaf with a spiced flavor, topped with a creamy vanilla bean cream cheese icing. Perfect for the holiday season.

By @sendnoods

Original recipe source

Cook time: 65 minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 0 13x4x4 Pullman loaf pan
• 0.5 cup butter
• 0.5 cup olive oil
• 0.75 cup brown sugar
• 0.75 cup molasses
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 tablespoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon cloves or nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 teaspoon half & half or milk
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 8 oz cream cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 13x4x4 Pullman loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix ½ cup softened butter, ½ cup olive oil, ¾ cup packed brown sugar, ¾ cup molasses, 3 large eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (optional) until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3½ cups all-purpose flour, 1½ tablespoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon cloves or nutmeg (optional).
4. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 55–65 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness.
7. Cool the loaf in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before icing.
8. For the Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting, beat 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, 1 teaspoon half & half (or milk), 1½ cups powdered sugar, and 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese in a stand mixer until smooth, light, and fluffy.
9. Spread the Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting generously over the cooled loaf.
10. Place the loaf in the fridge for 2+ hours for the icing to set before slicing.