You never have to ask me twice to make a seasonal dessert! I’ll take any excuse to whip up a batch of winter treats, whether it’s sugar cookies for classic holiday decorating or baking mini loaves to share with friends. This year, I created a copycat Starbucks gingerbread loaf recipe that’s the perfect addition to my holiday baking.
This two-bowl recipe has all the holiday vibes you’re looking for. Served in thick slices with a nice layer of frosting, it’s as delicious with your morning coffee as it is after dinner for a sweet treat.
Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Zest from 1/2 orange
- Optional: Chopped walnuts for topping
For the Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 – 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Zest from 1/2 orange
Tools You’ll Need
- Microplane: This classic kitchen tool is perfect for grating the orange zest and nutmeg in this Starbucks gingerbread loaf, but it will come in handy for all kinds of recipes.
- Offset Spatula: Use this simple tool to make your frosting look like it came from a bakery.
- Silicone Spatula: A sturdy spatula is my most-used kitchen item. You’ll need it for scraping the bowl while mixing and evening out the top of the batter in the pan.
Directions
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and fresh grated nutmeg. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the batter
Using a stand mixer or an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and egg, and mix well. Blend in the applesauce and orange zest.
Gradually add the flour mixture a third at a time, mixing just until combined each time. Pour the batter into the oiled loaf pan and even out the top with a rubber spatula.
Step 3: Bake off loaf
Bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when you test the center of the cake. Let it cool slightly in the loaf pan on a cooling rack. Then run a small knife around the edge of the pan to make sure it won’t stick, and turn the loaf over onto the rack to cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Make the cream cheese frosting
Using the stand mixer or electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the vanilla. Add the remaining orange zest and 1-1/2 cups of the confectioners’ sugar, and beat until smooth and creamy. You can add a bit more sugar if it’s not thick enough.
Spread a heavy layer of frosting over the gingerbread cake, smoothing it out with an offset spatula. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, if desired.
Here’s What I Thought
I can’t wait to make this loaf cake again! It’s easy to make, not overly sweet and delicious.
As with most baked goods, make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature before starting. If you don’t have any room temperature butter, try these tricks to soften butter quickly. And when it comes to mixing the butter and sugar, make sure to whip it long enough that they fully come together and the texture becomes creamy. All of this will help give your loaf the perfect light texture.
This cake smells so good while it’s in the oven that you’ll want to frost it and dig in right away. But you never want to frost a warm cake! The frosting will fall off and melt. While your cake is cooling you can pull out the cream cheese so it has plenty of time to come to room temperature.
This cake is great in slices, and I think it would also be fun to make as mini loaf cakes in a pan like this. You could also get creative with the toppings and try chopped pecans or hazelnuts instead of walnuts, or add in some chopped candied ginger. This recipe is a keeper!
Inspired by: Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
Indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink with this caramel mocha recipe. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired By: Starbucks Coconut Creme Frapuccino Blended Creme
I love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut
Inspired By: Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake
My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Inspired By: Starbucks Berry Trio Yogurt
Expecting brunch company, but short on time? My quick, delicious and beautiful parfaits are the perfect solution. Feel free to mix and match your favorite berries. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Inspired By: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Beverage
The winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois
Inspired By: Starbucks Caffe Mocha
When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel like I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
Inspired By: Starbucks Iced Caffe Latte
This amazing alternative to regular hot coffee is much more economical than store-bought coffee drinks. Sweetened condensed milk and a hint of chocolate lend a special touch. —Heather Nandell, Johnston, Iowa
Inspired By: Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scone
Moist and scrumptious, these scones come out perfect every time. I savor the chewy dried cranberries and sweet orange glaze. There's nothing better than serving these remarkable scones warm with the delicate orange butter. —Karen McBride, Indianapolis, Indiana
Inspired By: Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
An enticing aroma wafts through my house when this tender cake-like pumpkin bread is in the oven. I bake extra loaves to give as holiday gifts. My friends wait eagerly for it every year. —Linda Burnett, Prescott, Arizona
Inspired By: Starbucks Turkey & Havarti Sandwich
This is not your ordinary sandwich! Everyone loves the combination of chutney and chopped peanuts. I like to make this when I have company in the afternoon or at night after a game of cards. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Inspired By: Starbucks Hot Chocolate
This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas
Inspired By: Starbucks Chai Latte
My wife loves chai, but I have never been satisfied with any of the store-bought mixes, so I created my own. —Justin Weber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Starbucks Chocolate Chunk Muffin
Muffins are one of my favorite things to bake, and these are the best. I always keep some in the freezer for breakfast on the run. I can zap one in the microwave before I head out the door. —Kelly Kirby Westville, Nova Scotia
Inspired By: Starbucks Banana Nut Bread
This quick bread is a family favorite, so I always try to have ripe bananas on hand for this recipe. I'm sure your family will love this tasty, nutty bread as much as mine does. —Susan Jones, La Grange Park, Illinois
Inspired By: Starbucks Peppermint Mocha
Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Inspired By: Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwich
I love the versatility of this creamy egg salad. You can serve it on a nest of mixed greens, tucked into a sandwich or with your favorite crisp crackers. —Cynthia Kohlberg, Syracuse, Indiana
Inspired By: Starbucks Everything Bagel with Cheese
Who has time to make from-scratch bagels? You do, with this easy recipe! The chewy golden bagels offer a hint of honey and will win over even the pickiest eaters. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired By: Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee
Coffee ice cubes power up this refreshing drink. Have it morning, noon or—if you dare—night! —Beverly Coyde, Gasport, New York
Inspired By: Starbucks Blueberry Scone
I love serving this blueberry scone recipe to visiting friends and family. I always make sure a have a few in the freezer. Just pop a frozen scone in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. —Joan Francis, Spring Lake, New Jersey
Inspired By: Starbucks Sausage, Cheddar & Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Wake up your taste buds with eye-opening breakfast sandwiches featuring spicy sausage, fluffy egg, tomato and creamy avocado piled high on a flaky croissant.—Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
Inspired By: Starbucks Classic Whole-Grain Oatmeal
There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California
Inspired By: Starbucks Homestyle Chicken & Double-Smoked Bacon
Everyone likes this tasty chicken breast sandwich. Flattening the chicken breasts helps them cook faster, and the mango chutney and other toppings make them better than anything you could order in a restaurant. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Inspired By: Starbucks Caffe Mocha with Cinnamon
Most store-bought flavored coffees are expensive. Here's a special early-morning beverage you can make at home. The aroma of cinnamon and cocoa makes this mocha coffee hard to resist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Starbucks Italian-Style Ham & Spicy Salami
Olive lovers are sure to rejoice over this stacked sandwich! Stuffed and ripe olives are marinated in white wine vinegar and garlic before using them to flavor these speedy salami, ham and provolone subs.—Delores Christner, Spooner, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Starbucks Roasted Tomato & Mozzarella Panini
Why settle for ordinary grilled cheese when this is so easy to fix? Pair the sandwiches with your favorite soup for a fast, satisfying meal. —Arlene Reagan, Limerick, PennsylvaniaThe post We Made a Copycat Version of the Famous Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf appeared first on Taste of Home.
source https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/starbucks-gingerbread-loaf/
0 Response to "We Made a Copycat Version of the Famous Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf"
Post a Comment