Imagine sinking your teeth into a slice of heaven – a perfectly moist gingerbread loaf with a tantalizing cream cheese swirl that promises to transform your ordinary baking routine into an extraordinary culinary experience. This isn't just another holiday recipe; it's a decadent journey of warm spices, rich molasses, and creamy cheese that will have your kitchen smelling like a bakery and your taste buds dancing with delight. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a curious home cook, this gingerbread loaf is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 60 mins
Total Time: 80 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar (for filling)
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves until well combined. Set aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, molasses, and buttermilk. Mix thoroughly until sugar is dissolved.
- Crack the egg into the molasses mixture and whisk until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- For the cream cheese filling, beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, and egg together in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Pour half of the gingerbread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Dollop the cream cheese filling over the batter, then top with remaining gingerbread batter.
- Use a knife to create swirl patterns by gently dragging the blade through the batter and filling.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, slice and serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Room Temperature Matters: Ensure your ingredients like eggs, buttermilk, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
- Don't Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated to keep the loaf tender and light.
- Swirl Technique: For beautiful marbling, use a butter knife and make gentle figure-eight movements when creating the cream cheese swirl.
- Check for Doneness: Use the toothpick test – it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs when the loaf is perfectly baked.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing to help it set and prevent crumbling.
- Storage Tip: Wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg