Gingerbread loaf cake is an easy and delicious home baked recipe to make. It's soft, moist and topped with a light covering of icing. A perfect holiday bake!
Gingerbread cake is such a classic British recipe when it comes to home baked cake recipes, don't you think folks?
It was originally referred to as a Jamaica ginger cake but it's actually just a favourite British created cake which used spices grown in Jamaica!
I've got very fond memories of it always being available whenever there were school holidays and in particular at this holiday season time of year.
AAlso, there's no mistaking that unique distinctive smell as it's baking.
The one that makes your whole house smell amazing!
So what I've got for you here is a really easy version of gingerbread cake, in loaf form. Gingerbread loaf cake!
This easy to make gingerbread loaf recipe is made with no butter.
I don't have any issues with using butter in my baking but if I can get away with it and use healthier ingredients without ruining a great original recipe then so much the better!
So I've been able to substitute butter here with a little oil and some Greek yogurt.
That helps to keep the calorie count down to only 209 calories a slice.
Compare that to Starbucks gingerbread which is 400 calories per slice!
In making the batter you'll need two bowls. One to put the dry ingredients in and one for the wet ingredients.
Gently fold the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients until there are no lumps.
Then scoop the batter into the greased loaf tin and bake in your oven until the loaf has risen and smells amazing.
It's really as easy as that.
Then enjoy this ginger loaf cake by sharing with friends and family.
If its too temping to have lying around then cut it into slices and freeze it.
Take it out slice by slice when needed, like when unexpected guests arrive!
The iced topping on this ginger loaf cake is optional.
I think it gives this gingerbread loaf cake a perfect sweet finishing taste but my other half prefers it without the topping and just likes to spread a little margarine on her slice!
Or you could top your homemade gingerbread loaf with a cream cheese topping as I did with my gingerbread muffins. Just follow the topping part of that recipe!
However you choose to top your loaf this traditional old fashioned gingerbread loaf will suit all gingerbread lovers and make an excellent holiday treat.
You'll definitely want to add this gingerbread recipe to your baking list of easy recipes!
Jump to:
🥘 Ingredients
- Plain Flour / All Purpose Flour
- Wholemeal Flour / Wholewheat Flour
- Light Brown Soft Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Bicarbonate Of Soda
- Cinnamon Powder
- Ground Ginger Powder
- Eggs
- No Fat Greek Yogurt / Natural Yogurt
- Milk
- Treacle
- Sunflower Oil / Vegetable Oil
- Vanilla Extract / Vanilla Essence
- Icing Sugar - optional for the iced topping
- Lemon Juice - optional for the iced topping
See recipe card for the actual quantites of the ginger cake recipe ingredients.
📖 Substitutions
- Plain Flour / All Purpose Flour
- Wholemeal Flour / Wholewheat Flour - if you can't get these you can just use an equal amount of plain / all purpose flour. This will change the nutritional label though.
- Light Brown Soft Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Bicarbonate Of Soda
- Cinnamon Powder
- Ground Ginger Powder
- Eggs - use large eggs. Good quality free range eggs if possible.
- No Fat Greek Yogurt / Natural Yogurt
- Milk
- Treacle - dark corn syrup or molasses will also work.
- Sunflower Oil / Vegetable Oil
- Vanilla Extract / Vanilla Essence
- Icing Sugar - optional for the iced topping
- Lemon Juice - optional for the iced topping
🔪 Instructions
Detailed instructions for this easy gingerbread loaf recipe are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this traditional British ginger cake:
- Pre-heat oven. Grease loaf tin.
- Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients in another small bowl.
- Fold wet mixture ingredients into the dry ingredients to create a batter.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf tin. Bake until risen and golden brown.
- Use a wooden skewer / cocktail stick to ensure the inside is fully cooked.
- Allow tin to cool slightly and then remove and transfer loaf of gingerbread to a wire rack / cooling rack.
- Top with chosen topping or leave as it is.
- Store in an airtight container or slice into 15 individual slices wrap in plastic wrap and freeze.
🍽 Equipment
For This Gingerbread Loaf Cake Recipe You May Need….
The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.
This means that if you click on it and then buy that product, I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
If you do click through, then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!
This is the basic loaf tin I use. As you can see it's relatively inexpensive and its perfect for loaf cake recipes. Plus it's teflon coated and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
💭 FAQ's
What Is The Difference Between Ginger Cake And Gingerbread Cake?
Ginger cake is a cake enthused with particular spices like ginger and cinnamon. Gingerbread cake is a form of quick bread recipe baked as a cake.
Why Has My Loaf Cake Cracked On Top?
Don't worry if your loaf cake cracks on top. This is nomal and you can easily cover over the cracks with your chosen topping if you want to.
How Should I Serve my Jamaica Ginger Cake?
You can eat it as it is cold with your chosen topping. Or if you haven't topped it with anything you could serve a slice warmed a little in the microwave with some ice cream.
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🍰 Other Popular Loaf Cake Recipes For You To Try
📋 Easy Gingerbread Loaf Cake Recipe
The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.
This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!
Equipment
Ingredients
For the cake: -
- 150 g plain flour
- 150 g wholemeal flour
- 100 g light brown soft sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 3 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 100 ml Greek yogurt
- 50 ml skimmed milk
- 2 tablespoon treacle
- 50 ml sunflower oil
- 1½ tbsp. vanilla extract
For the topping*: -
- 200 g icing sugar
- 5 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
For the cake: -
- Preheat oven to 180C and grease a 20cm x 12.5cm / 8” x 5” loaf tin.
- Sift all the dry ingredients the flours, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger into a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, add the wet ingredients the eggs, yogurt, oil and vanilla extract. Mix together.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the larger bowl with the dry ingredients. Fold all the ingredients together either using a spatula.
- Pour cake mixture into loaf tin and bake for 35 - 40 minutes until risen and golden brown.
- Check the loaf has cooked by inserting a wooden skewer / cocktail stick into the centre which should come out clean if cooked then remove from the oven.
- Allow to cool slightly in the tin before removing and transferring to a wire baking rack.
For the topping: -
- In a measuring jug make the icing by whisking together the icing sugar and lemon juice and pour on top of the loaf spreading out evenly.
- Store in an air tight container or slice into 15 slices and freeze.
Notes
Nutrition
🧾 Nutrition Label
Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.
⭐ Rate The Recipe
If you’ve made this easy gingerbread recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
David @ Spiced
Gingerbread is seriously one of my favorites, Neil! And I love that you created a lightened up version here. While a bit of butter on top (especially melted) would be excellent, I think I'm going to have to go with Lynne here and opt for the sweet glaze. That's just a requirement for gingerbread! This looks delicious, and I'm thinking a slice of this with a cup of hot coffee would be a great way to start the day!
Neil
A slice of this gingerbread loaf cake with a cup of hot coffee (preferably black) is definately a great start to the day David! 🙂
Ron
Wow, I haven't thought of Starbucks's Glazed Ginger cake sense we moved here (nearest Starbucks is in Copenhagen). I love that loaf. Now, thanks to Mr. Neil I can make the lower calorie version as well. Got to go get that oven going...
Neil
Thanks Ron. You've just put me right in the mood for a cup of Starbucks Americano! 🙂
Ashika | Gardening Foodie
Loaf cakes...my all time favorite. This gingerbread loaf looks just so delicious and I love that topping. It is freezing cold here today (and by the way it is the middle of summer here) so I have no idea whats up with this crazy weather, but I could really do with a slice of this gingerbread loaf with a steaming hot cup of tea right now. Looks amazing and I cannot wait to try.
Thank you for the delicious recipe Neil...have a great weekend 🙂
Neil
Oh dear I'm sorry to hear that its freezing cold there Ashika. Especially when it should be the middle of your summer. How awful!
We are slowly heading into our winter here after such a beautiful and amazing summer. It's dull and grey at the moment. So I tell you what. I will join you for a virtual steaming hot cup of tea right now and a slice of this tasty gingerbread. It's just what the doctor ordered. 😀
Hope your weather get's better and have a great weekend yourself Ashika.
Mimi
This is so pretty with the glaze on top! Love the spices. I think I could actually make this!
Neil
Thanks Mimi. Yes it is incredibly simple. If you get a chance to make it, I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Andy Bishop
This one is just perfect for the holidays!
Neil
You can't beat a nice slice of Gingerbread can you? 🙂
SHASHI AT SAVORYSPIN
I so love gingerbread - it seems synonymous with fall - at least for me. And,seeing you mentioned Starbucks' gingerbread slices, my daughter and I usually share a slice to keep the calories down but seeing this is only 209 calories a slices there's no way I'm sharing! I love your substitutions of oil and Greek yogurt - my kind of loaf!
Neil
Ha ha, now you and your daughter will be able to have a slice each rather than having to share one! 😀
F
Help please!
I followed the recipe as instructed but the loaf cake crust came rather lumpy and "crisp" so just wanted to check if it is meant to be like that. Also it was uncomfortable gingery stinging the tongue and for my taste needs more sugar.
I will attempt another one so please advice.
Thanks
Neil
Thank you for trying the recipe. The crust is meant to be slightly crisp, but the ginger flavour and sweetness can be adjusted based on personal preference. Many have successfully made it as is, so perhaps experimenting with the ginger and sugar levels to suit your taste would be helpful? Happy baking on your next attempt!