I’m back with yet another holiday baking recipe for ya today!
So obviously Christmas cookies are the best thing ever. But there’s definitely a point for me when I just can’t take the pure butter/sugar/frosting combination anymore.
That’s why you gotta switch it up and remember there is more to the holiday dessert selection than cookies (gasp!).
I am, to many people’s surprise, more of a savory person than a sweet person. I have a much lower tolerance for sugar than I do for carbs.
(Homegirl can do justice to half a bag of pasta #noshame)
So sometimes amid all the indulgent sugary holiday cookie goodness, I need to slip in something a little less sweet. This gingerbread loaf is packed with complex flavors: rich molasses, brown sugar, coconut sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and of course, ginger.
The rich and not-too-sweet cake is topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that is definitely decadent. Luckily, the frosting:cake ratio is like 1:10, so you’re not going into a sugar coma anytime soon!
This vegan gingerbread is also perfect to make ahead, because the flavors deepen and the loaf becomes softer and richer overnight! Enjoy xx
- 2½ cups unbleached flour
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 3 tsp. ground allspice
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup vegan butter (=1 stick)
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup vegan cream cheese
- ¼ cup vegan butter (=1/2 stick)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease your loaf pan.
- Cream butter with electric mixer until smooth. Gradually incorporate brown sugar and mix until well combined and creamy. Gradually add flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and salt and beat on low until just combined.
- Combine molasses and vinegar in a separate bowl and gently stir boiling water into molasses mixture. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, incorporate molasses mixture into batter.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until gingerbread begins to pull away from sides of pan and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.
- Beat together frosting ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth and use a spatula to frost cooled loaf.
**PS!! If you make a recipe of mine, post a photo on social media and tag #whiskandshout! I love to see my recipes in action!**
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
This looks perfect Medha! So moist and I bet it tastes heavenly with that cream cheese frosting!
Medha says
Thanks, Sarah!
Mir says
Wow. You need to open up your own vegan bakery, girl! That frosting looks so amazing!!
Medha says
Haha thanks, Mir!
Sues says
Yum!! Gingerbread has totally been my flavor of the season and I am loving this cake and frosting!
Medha says
Yay! Thanks 🙂
David @ Spiced says
I’m loving the cream cheese frosting addition here! Looks perfect for the holidays!
Medha says
Thanks, David!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
This gingerbread looks so tasty, Medha! I bet the frosting is finger lincking!!
Medha says
It is! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Well, thank God for vegan cream cheese right?!!!! This spiced gingerbread is gorgeous and LOVE that cream cheese frosting! Beautiful!!! Hooray for holiday baking!
Medha says
Seriously! Thanks, Alice!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I have been on holiday cookie overload, so something other than cookies is much welcome in my life! This spiced gingerbread loaf looks fabulous! And I happen to LOVE cream cheese frostings! Need this loaf in my belly.. ALL of it! 🙂 Cheers!
Medha says
Aw yay 🙂
Adri says
This sounds so good, and I must say your photographs just add to the temptation!
Medha says
Thanks so much for the photo love!
mira says
What a beautiful loaf! Love the frosting! Pinning! Happy Holidays Medha!
Medha says
Thanks for the pin, Mira!
Monica says
Your vegan gingerbread looks great! I am with you – love, love holiday cookies but you want to make and eat some variety. I made loaves of chocolate gingerbread as one of my food gifts…it was a nice change of pace. Happy Holidays!
Medha says
Thank you! That sounds amazing 🙂
Linda | The Baker Who Kerns says
I also have very little tolerance for sugary sweets now! I am always cutting down my sugar measurement in half when I am baking and opt for less sweeter and more flavorful sugar alternatives. Coconut sugar and molasses is definitely my go-to! Loving this cake!
Medha says
Thanks!
Rachel @the dessert chronicles says
Oh this looks so good! Like the holidays in one bite. Love this!
Medha says
Thanks, Rachel!
marcie says
I have to admit that I’m tired of looking at Christmas cookies, so this gingerbread loaf is the perfect thing! I baked gingerbread yesterday and it was just what I wanted — spicy and not too sweet like you described this. I love the cream cheese frosting on top!
Medha says
Yay! Thanks 🙂
Amy says
Now this is a holiday loaf for me. Great flavors, no little cookie cutters, and plenty for everyone.
Medha says
True! Thanks 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
The first thing I thought when I saw your photos was ‘how did she get such a deep rich color in that gingerbread’…and then I saw the 1 cup of molasses in the recipe! I’ve got to try this, it has my name all over it 🙂
Medha says
The molasses is ESSENTIAL 🙂
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
I am more of a sweet person than a savory person, so this would be PERFECT for me! I love all the spices in here 🙂
Medha says
Thanks!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Mmm, that cream cheese frosting! Bet it goes splendidly with the gingerbread. Love your photos here! 🙂
Medha says
Thank you! 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Girl, this cake looks delicious and those pics are gorgeous! I agree with Mir – you def need to open a vegan bakery!
Medha says
Aw thanks so much!
Ashley says
I have been allll about gingerbread the last few years for Christmas! This looks awesome!!
Medha says
Thanks, Ashley!
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
These flavours sound just perfect together! I haven’t quite reached Christmas cookie overload yet, but there is definitely room for desserts of all shapes and sizes 😉
Medha says
Thanks!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I love this!! It’s so pretty, and we can definitely all go for something a little less sweet this time of year 🙂 love the cream cheese frosting 🙂 yum!
Medha says
Thank you!
Kelly says
I’m more of a savory person too but love anything gingerbread! This looks so moist & delicious! Love the vegan cream cheese frosting!
Medha says
Thank you 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
this bread looks so moist and perfect Medha, love the frosting! 🙂 Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas to you & your family! 🙂
Medha says
Thanks 🙂
Julia says
Moist and delicious! Made a giant batch for my whole co-op and it was hit! Didn’t even need frosting
Medha says
So glad you enjoyed!