Spiced Gingerbread Loaf

• Vegetarian

• Produce

  • 1 1/2 tsp Ginger, ground

• Refrigerated

  • 1 Egg, large

• Condiments

  • 3/4 cup Molasses, unsulphured or dark

• Baking & Spices

  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/3 cup Brown sugar, packed light or dark
  • 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon, ground
  • 1/4 tsp Cloves, ground
  • 1 cup Confectioners' sugar
  • 1/8 tsp Pepper, fresh ground
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract, pure

• Drinks

  • 2 tbsp Orange juice

• Dairy

  • 1 2 cup (115g; 1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature1, unsalted

• Liquids

  • 3/4 cup Water, HOT

Found on sallysbakingaddiction.com

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 3/4 cup (180ml) unsulphured or dark molasses
• 3/4 cup (180ml) hot water (about 100°F (38°C))
• 1/2 cup (115g; 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature1
• 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120g) confectioners sugar, sifted
• 2-3 Tablespoons (30-45ml) orange juice

Directions

• Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt and pepper together until combined. Set aside. In a separate bowl or dish, whisk the molasses and hot water together. In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy - about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat on high speed for 1 minute until creamed together fairly well. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. On medium-high speed, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the hot water/molasses and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing. Batter will be thin. Whisk out any big lumps. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for around 50-60 minutes or until the gingerbread loaf is baked through. All ovens are different and your loaf could take a little more or less time. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the gingerbread loaf. If it comes out clean with only a couple moist (not wet) crumbs, it is done. Allow to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack before removing from pan. Make the icing: Whisk the confectioners sugar and orange juice together. Drizzle over cooled loaf. Leftover loaf keeps well covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavor gets even better after a day or two! Make ahead tip: The loaf can be baked, cooled, and covered tightly at room temperature overnight. Loaf can be frozen up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.