The Most Delectable Gingerbread Recipe for the Holiday Season

Happy Wednesday Y’all!

 The holidays are officially here Thanksgiving is days away and Christmas is in exactly 39 days. Yes, here at Southern Love we’re  on a Christmas countdown!  Jennifer and I were discussing our favorite treats to enjoy during the holidays and we both came to the conclusion that gingerbread is one of our  all time favorites.  Which is why we wanted to share this absolutely delectable recipe with y’all.

Gingerbread is the quintessential fall and holiday treat. It’s also a great dessert because you can enjoy it virtually guilt- free. If you’re wanting to indulge this holiday season, this gingerbread recipe is perfect for you. There is no white sugar so if you have a sweet tooth, but also are health conscious you’re in the right place. Baking this gingerbread is super easy and I promise that anyone you make this recipe for  will absolutely love it. In fact, I’m almost positive they will be begging you to bake it every year.

The hardest part of the recipe is gathering all of your ingredients, they’re a whopping 15 that you will need for this recipe, and more than half of them are spices.  If you have any small children this is a great recipe for them to help with. So without further ado, let’s get baking so  we can fill our homes with the sweet, spicy, and delicious aroma of gingerbread. As always we will need a list of ingredients, I’ve also included a recipe for homemade cream cheese icing. That is also incredibly easy to make  and extremely delicious.

Ingredients for the Gingerbread Recipe

-1 1/2 cup of All-purpose flour

-2/3 cup of brown sugar

-2/3 cup molasses

-1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes

-1 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

-2/3 cup of boiling water

-1 large egg

-1 teaspoon of ground ginger

-1/4 of ground nutmeg

-1/2 teaspoon of salt

-1/4 teaspoon of pepper

-1 teaspoon of Vietnamese cinnamon (regular cinnamon works just as well)

-1/4 ground allspice

– 1/4 ground cloves

Homemade Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients

-1 8oz Philadelphia Cream cheese

-4 cups of powdered sugar

-1 stick of unsalted butter

-1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract

Preparing the Gingerbread

First, you’re going to need two different sizes bowls. One large  for the wet ingredients and one medium-sized  for the dry ingredients. Slowly, pour  2/3 cup of boiling water into the larger bowl.

Then, add 2/3 cup of molasses and 2/3 cup of brown sugar into same bowl.

Now,  add 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter cut into small  cubes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into the same large bowl. Then, whisk them all together until your butter is completely melted.

You will mix all the ingredients together until your mixture is  brown in color, and then you will add 1 egg. 

Continue to mix and then set aside to begin mixing your dry ingredients together.

Now, you’re going to grab your medium sized bowl, add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/4 of ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of Vietnamese cinnamon (regular cinnamon works just as well), 1/4 ground allspice, and 1/4 ground cloves. 

Then, combine the dry ingredients with your wet ingredients and whisk them all together.

Next, add 1 1/2 cup of all -purpose flour.

Continue to whisk in the flour.

Once your gingerbread mixture is smooth with virtually no lumps, it’s ready to bake.

Next, we’re going to butter and flour a 9 inch pan, then pour the gingerbread mixture into the pan.

Place in the oven on 325 degrees for about 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  

Making the Homemade Cream Cheese Icing

While we wait for our gingerbread to bake, let’s prepare our very own homemade cream icing. First, combine 1 8oz Philadelphia Cream cheese and 1 stick of unsalted butter into your mixer. 

Then, mix together on medium speed until completely mixed.

Next, add 4 cups of powdered sugar, into your mixing bowl.

Slowly add the powdered sugar, while the mixer is on low speed. 

Then, add 1 teaspoon  of vanilla extract, and continue to mix.

Be sure to take a spatula and clean  any remaining icing on the sides of the mixing bowl.

The Most Delectable Gingerbread Recipe

Allow the gingerbread to cool for about 10-15 minutes before cutting the gingerbread into squares.

I recommend placing a knife in  a warm bowl of water, in order to cut your gingerbread it just makes it a little  easier.  Then, I place my  gingerbread squares on parchment paper.

Homemade gingerbread is incredibly  amazing  because it can be eaten so many different ways. You can enjoy it plain, with homemade cream cheese icing, whipped cream topped with cinnamon, with powdered sugar, or  it can be eaten with applesauce. No matter how you choose to eat your gingerbread it will always be a dessert that awakens the Holiday spirit and will bring an immense amount of joy into your home.

I hope y’all enjoyed this recipe!

Happy Holidays Everyone and Happy Baking!!

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