One-Bowl Gingerbread Loaf: Easy Holiday Comfort Bake

One-Bowl Gingerbread Loaf
There’s just something inherently magical about the scent of gingerbread wafting through your home, isn’t there? For me, that rich aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses instantly transports me back to chilly November afternoons spent in my grandma’s kitchen, a treasured helper in her holiday baking efforts, always with a special loaf on the counter ready for a warm slice with tea.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This One-Bowl Gingerbread Loaf is my heartfelt modern take on those cherished memories, designed for ultimate simplicity without sacrificing any of that deep, nostalgic flavor you crave during the holidays. It’s truly the ultimate holiday baking dream come true, bringing that cozy, spiced aroma into your home with minimal fuss and cleanup, making it truly your go-to holiday comfort bake.
It’s truly a little piece of edible comfort, perfect for sharing with loved ones (or not, we won’t tell!). If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible scent of the season, you can find the detailed steps for this delightful loaf right here on Taste & Charm, and if you’re a fan of easy, comforting bakes, you might also love my Lemon Ricotta Loaf Cake recipe for another effortlessly delicious bake.
One-Bowl Gingerbread Loaf: Easy Holiday Comfort Bake
Course: BreadsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalThis One-Bowl Gingerbread Loaf is incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and comes together with minimal fuss, making it your ultimate go-to for holiday comfort baking. A truly delightful treat!
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl (or directly in the large bowl if you’re using the one-bowl method carefully), whisk the melted unsalted butter and packed dark brown sugar until smooth.
- Whisk in the unsulphured molasses, then add the large eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are fine.
- Stir in the buttermilk until the batter is smooth and no dry spots remain.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with moist crumbs attached. If the top browns too quickly, you can tent it loosely with foil.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes before carefully inverting it onto the rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
- Slice and enjoy your warm, spiced gingerbread loaf!
Notes
- The Molasses Magic: For that deep, authentic gingerbread flavor, always opt for unsulphured dark molasses, not blackstrap. It’s sweeter and less bitter, giving your loaf that classic, comforting warmth.
- Room Temp is Key: Ensure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify better with the butter and sugar, resulting in a much smoother batter and a more tender, even crumb.
- Don’t Overmix!: Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine! Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to a tough, dry loaf.
