Description
Warm up your kitchen with this delightful Gingerbread Honey Loaf! Bursting with the flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, this loaf combines sweet honey and rich molasses for a cozy, spiced treat. Perfect for the holiday season or whenever you’re craving a bit of warmth in every bite. Top it with a simple vanilla glaze or enjoy it plain with a cup of tea!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger (optional)
- 1/4 cup molasses
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the honey and molasses, and beat until well combined.
Add Eggs and Buttermilk:
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Gradually mix in the buttermilk.
Combine Mixtures:
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the crystallized ginger if using.
Pour and Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake:
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Glaze (optional):
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.
Notes
For an extra touch, sprinkle the loaf with a bit of coarse sugar before baking. This loaf keeps well and can be wrapped tightly for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes