Gingerbread Loaf Orange Icing (Printable View)
A moist, spiced gingerbread loaf with sweet and zesty orange icing for festive gatherings.
# Ingredient List:
→ Gingerbread Loaf
01 - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
04 - 1½ teaspoons ground ginger
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
07 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - ½ cup packed brown sugar
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - ½ cup molasses
12 - ½ cup milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Orange Icing
14 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
16 - 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer or whisk.
04 - Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
05 - Stir in molasses, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
06 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
07 - Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and pourable; adjust consistency with more juice if needed.
10 - Drizzle the orange icing evenly over the cooled loaf and allow to set before slicing.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It's incredibly forgiving—I've made this half-asleep on early mornings and it's turned out perfectly every time.
- The orange icing adds a bright, unexpected twist that keeps people guessing what makes it taste so special.
- One loaf feeds a crowd, so it's ideal when you want to look like you've spent hours cooking but honestly didn't.
02 -
- Don't overbake this cake—it should be moist and tender, not dry, so pull it out as soon as a toothpick comes clean rather than baking it a few minutes longer.
- Orange juice straight from the fridge can break your icing if it's too cold; let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before whisking it in.
- This loaf actually tastes better the next day, once the spices have had time to settle and deepen.
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients really do make a difference—set out your eggs, butter, and milk about an hour before you start, and your batter will be smoother and more homogeneous.
- If you're in a hurry to eat this, the icing will set faster if you place the loaf in the refrigerator for 15 minutes after drizzling.