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    Home Β» Recipes Β» Home Baking Β» Home Baking Cakes and Biscuits

    Easy Gingerbread Loaf Cake

    Published: Oct 16, 2018 Β· Updated: Jul 2, 2022 by Neil 12 Comments

    407 shares
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    Jump to Recipe
    Close up of gingerbread loaf cake on a chopping board facing forward with 4 slices cut off.
    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 healthy verion of the classic old fashioned favourite, you'll find this the perfect holiday bake! #recipe #homebaked #gingerbread #loaf #cake #healthy #easy #moist

    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!

    A slice of gingerbread loaf cake on a plate ready to eat with the rest of the sliced loaf in the background.

    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!

    Front view of gingerbread loaf cake with 4 slices cut.

    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!

    Close up front view of gingerbread loaf cake with 4 slices cut from it.

    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!

    View of gingerbread loaf cake sitting on chopping board with 4 slices cut out of it and 2 serving plates in the background.

    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:
    • πŸ₯˜ Ingredients
    • πŸ“– Substitutions
    • πŸ”ͺ Instructions
    • 🍽 Equipment
    • πŸ’­ FAQ's
    • 🍰 Other Popular Loaf Cake Recipes For You To Try
    • πŸ“‹ Easy Gingerbread Loaf Cake Recipe
    • 🧾 Nutrition Label
    • ⭐ Rate The Recipe

    🥘 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:

    1. Pre-heat oven. Grease loaf tin.
    2. Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl.
    3. Mix wet ingredients in another small bowl.
    4. Fold wet mixture ingredients into the dry ingredients to create a batter.
    5. Pour batter into prepared loaf tin. Bake until risen and golden brown.
    6. Use a wooden skewer / cocktail stick to ensure the inside is fully cooked.
    7. Allow tin to cool slightly and then remove and transfer loaf of gingerbread to a wire rack / cooling rack.
    8. Top with chosen topping or leave as it is.
    9. 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

    • Cherry bakewell loaf cake is an easy and delicious budget cake with all the flavours of a bakewell tart. Topped with a layer of icing sugar it’s perfect for sharing with friends.
    • Lighter lemon loaf cake is such a delicious and easy cake to make. It’s based on Starbucks lemon loaf cake so if you love that but want a healthy version with less calories and fat then this is for you! 
    • Lemon blueberry yogurt cake is an easy healthy Greek yogurt cake recipe. Delicious, moist and fluffy. This loaf cake is just packed full of blueberry and lemony goodness!
    A slice of gingerbread loaf cake on a plate ready to eat with the rest of the sliced loaf in the background.
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    5 from 6 votes

    📋 Easy Gingerbread Loaf Cake Recipe

    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!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Home Baking
    Cuisine: British
    Servings: 15 slices
    Calories: 209kcal
    Author: Neil

    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

    • Loaf tin
    • Sieve
    • Measuring spoons
    • Kitchen scale
    • Measuring jug
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Pyrex mixing glass bowl
    • Whisk
    • Wooden spoon
    • Wooden skewers
    • Wire baking rack

    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
    Metric - US Customary

    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.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Notes

    *The topping is optional. You could just spread a little margarine /butter on each slice instead.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1.3mg

    🧾 Nutrition Label

    Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.

    Nutrition Facts
    📋 Easy Gingerbread Loaf Cake
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 209 Calories from Fat 36
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 4g6%
    Cholesterol 22mg7%
    Sodium 98mg4%
    Potassium 160mg5%
    Carbohydrates 38g13%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 22g24%
    Protein 3g6%
    Vitamin A 35IU1%
    Vitamin C 1.9mg2%
    Calcium 43mg4%
    Iron 1.3mg7%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    ⭐ 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! 🙂

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David @ Spiced

      October 16, 2018 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 16, 2018 at 7:42 pm

        A slice of this gingerbread loaf cake with a cup of hot coffee (preferably black) is definately a great start to the day David! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    2. Ron

      October 19, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      5 stars
      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...

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 20, 2018 at 1:10 pm

        Thanks Ron. You've just put me right in the mood for a cup of Starbucks Americano! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    3. Ashika | Gardening Foodie

      October 19, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      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 πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 20, 2018 at 1:13 pm

        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. πŸ˜€

        Hope your weather get's better and have a great weekend yourself Ashika.

        Reply
    4. Mimi

      October 21, 2018 at 6:13 pm

      5 stars
      This is so pretty with the glaze on top! Love the spices. I think I could actually make this!

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 22, 2018 at 5:36 am

        Thanks Mimi. Yes it is incredibly simple. If you get a chance to make it, I hope you enjoy it! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    5. Andy Bishop

      October 27, 2018 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      This one is just perfect for the holidays!

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 28, 2018 at 3:11 pm

        You can't beat a nice slice of Gingerbread can you? πŸ™‚

        Reply
    6. SHASHI AT SAVORYSPIN

      October 29, 2018 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 29, 2018 at 6:38 pm

        Ha ha, now you and your daughter will be able to have a slice each rather than having to share one! πŸ˜€

        Reply

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