This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate if you purchase through those links I earn a small commission. Thank you!
Have you had Gingerbread from a real gingerbread recipe? Not a cookie, biscotti, house, or latte but real honest to god Gingerbread Cake Loaf?
Try this gingerbread cake recipe once and you’ll be converted
It’s indeed something worth baking up just for the scent of it baking. Your house will be fragrant with the wafting scent of ginger and molasses even after it’s done baking.
James Beard’s Gingerbread Cake Recipe
I found this recipe in the James Beard on Bread cookbook, if you haven’t read that book check it out. It’s very informative and as always you understand that James Beard was also a master storyteller too.
Sometimes referred to as Gingerbread Loaf Or Gingerbread Cake
It is like a cake but baked in a loaf pan. And sliced. So cake or loaf, it all works! I like the fact that you can slice because it makes for an easy way to send it in lunches.
About this Real Gingerbread Recipe:
- makes One 9×5 loaf, you can double it but it’s tricky mixing it like that
- yes the recipe is correct it doesnt have any added sugar (trust the process!)
- this gingerbread recipe uses dried ginger
- cut the butter in chunks small enough to melt quickly with the boiling water
- best eaten sliced with butter like a banana bread but also good cold
Gingerbread Cake
This warm Gingerbread Cake er loaf was taste tested by hungry teachers who groaned and told me how their grandmother used to make something similar.
I’ve ALSO got this gorgeous Frosted Gingerbread Cake if that’s more your style!
This is a great gift to make and give to friends. I included it in my Big List of Handmade Homemade Edible Food Gifts. Check it out if you like to make and give non-cluttering gifts.
Light or Dark Molasses for Gingerbread?
For this recipe either one will work! In general, I think either kind will work in most recipes. Keep in mind I haven’t tried most recipes. Dark molasses is just going to give more flavor overall.
If you love Gingerbread
Try this recipe for Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls! Perfect for Christmas morning or any other time you want a fun and festive breakfast!
Gingerbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup molasses
- 5 Tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 salt, more if you use unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 cups flour
Instructions
- butter a 9x5 loaf pan
- preheat the oven to 375˚
- put molasses in a mixing bowl, cut the 5 Tablespoons of butter in chunks, and add it to the bowl
- add the 1/2 cup boiling water to the bowl and stir until the butter is melted
- mix the 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger together
- add to the molasses and stir, it will bubble up and get thick
- add 2 cups of flour and stir until it's smooth
- pour in the prepared loaf pan, bake for 30-35 minutes until the loaf bounces back when you poke it
- cool for 10 minutes then remove from pan and cool completely OR slice it warm
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Rhubarb Cookies
- Biscoff Cookie Butter Cookies
- Cherry Dump Cake
- Old-Fashioned Iced Molasses Cookies
- Easy Candied Pecans Recipe
- Easy Strawberry Dump Cake
- BROOKIES From Scratch
- Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Bars
- Sweet Cherry Cobbler
- Kitchen Sink Cookies
- Fresh Strawberry Cake
- Refreshing Strawberry Crunch Cake
- Fresh Strawberry Cobbler
- Sweet and Simple Frosted Gingerbread Cake
- Magic Rhubarb Dump Cake
- Refreshing Lemon Brownies
I can’t belive how easy this recipe is! It takes literally 5 minutes to make and bakes up really quickly as well. The results are delicious. I like mine with a touch more ginger so I’m going to add a bit more next time. Thanks so much for sharing!
Yum!! Looks much easier than the recipe I used! Trying this ASAP!!
Enjoy this easy old fashioned Gingerbread! We LOVE it!