Cakes/ Recipes

Frosted Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Loaf

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Gingerbread — real gingerbread — is my absolute favorite holiday treat. I’ve loved it since I was a kid, and I chalk that up to the fact that it’s a rather old fashioned type of treat. Like something they would have eaten on the prairie. You know.

I haven’t done too much holiday baking this year, partly because Grayson has been keeping me so busy, but also because we are leaving in a few days to spend the holiday with my family on the East Coast and I don’t want to waste any treats. However, gingerbread has been an exception. I always bake gingerbread every year in December and enjoy every last crumb of it.

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Yesterday we had an epic storm day here in the Bay Area. So much so that it made the front page of CNN! Lots of rain and very high winds made it almost impossible for us to leave the house. Rather than going crazy being home alone all day with an infant, I decided to make it a baking day. Grayson is now at the age where he is content (for, um, maybe ten minutes) playing at my feet with measuring cups and spoons. It’s the best. He was my little gingerbread sous chef yesterday and although he didn’t taste the outcome, I think he would have liked it. The kid likes to eat EVERYTHING.

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I had never added chocolate to my gingerbread and wasn’t sure if that was weird. However, I texted my friend Audra, who was also busy making her own gingerbread, and she told me “everyone was doing it”. And guess what? It turned out delicious! The combination of spices, fresh minced ginger and semisweet chocolate chips was mind boggling good….especially when you top it with a buttercream frosting. 😉

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This is a wonderful holiday treat that will keep a couple days when wrapped up with tin foil in the counter. If you can make it that long — we surely can’t in this house. It’s a classic revamped and I will definitely not hesitate to add chocolate to my gingerbread again in the future!

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! Like I said, we are gearing up for our big trip back East so this weekend will be filled with lots of odds and ends getting ready for that. We have Adam’s holiday party this evening and, after being cooped up all day yesterday, I can’t wait to get dressed up, drink cocktails and  have some adult interaction. Hah.

gingerbread loaf-9819

Frosted Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Loaf

yields 1 loaf cake

Print this Recipe!

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup molasses

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1 tbsp fresh minced ginger

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup boiling water

for frosting ~

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar

2 drops vanilla extract

fresh lemon zest to top

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray and set aside.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine. With the mixer running, slowly stream in the molasses. Continue to mix until well blended.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, powdered ginger and fresh ginger. Add to the butter mixture and, with the mixer running on low again, stream in the boiling water. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Scoop batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 45 – 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool while you prepare the frosting.

To make the frosting, cream the butter and powdered sugar with the vanilla until very fluffy. This will take about 6-8 minutes on high speed. When your cake is completely cool, slather the cake with the frosting. Top the cake with the fresh lemon zest.

Time:

1.5 hours (includes time to cool)

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  • Bri
    December 12, 2014 at 9:40 am

    Looks delicious Jenna! Hope you enjoy some well-deserved adult time tonight, cheers!

  • Amanda @ Slimplify Life
    December 12, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Looks absolutely delicious! I want to try this!

  • Laurel
    December 12, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    Adding chocolate to gingerbread? Sounds awesome! Gingerbread is my favorite too.
    Enjoy your night out! 🙂

  • Sam @ PancakeWarriors
    December 12, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    Oh chocolate in gingerbread – I’ve got to try it!! Sounds like a wonderful evening tonight – have a great time!

  • Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts
    December 12, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    this loaf looks incredible! love it!

  • Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
    December 12, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    Totally with you. Real gingerbread is one of my favorite holidays treats. This recipe with chocolate looks fabulous!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    December 12, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    Oh my goodness…. I’ve been a terrible blog reader/commenter these days but you have no idea how thrilled I was to finally open up my Bloglovin’ feed and see this recipe. It sounds to die for and I’m practically drooling right now!

  • Christine
    December 12, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    This looks delicious – I’m going to make it tomorrow! My little guy is about a month older than yours, and he likes to sit at my feet in the kitchen and bang on the cabinet doors. Little weirdo.

  • AshleyL
    December 12, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Have you ever tried making gingerbread with coconut sugar? I love the flavor.

    • Alison (Fueling for Fitness)
      December 17, 2014 at 7:30 am

      You’ve intrigued me! Is it worth investing in coconut sugar (I have no aversion to sugar in general… but if there’s a real difference in taste, I could be convinced in buying it!).

  • Free Chat with Gifted Psychics!
    December 13, 2014 at 12:28 am

    I am sure this card reader post has touched all the internet viewers, its really really pleasant paragraph !

  • Sarah @ KS Runner
    December 13, 2014 at 5:16 am

    I love gingerbread, this looks delicious!

    Have fun on the east coast with your family!

  • jan
    December 13, 2014 at 5:59 am

    Mmmm I think the only thing better than gingerbread is gingerbread with frosting! Yum!

  • Katie sB
    December 13, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Looks amazing!

  • Chicago Jogger
    December 13, 2014 at 11:56 am

    Yum, your loaf looks amazing! I have never made gingerbread myself but this sounds like a great recipe to try 🙂

  • Sarah
    December 13, 2014 at 2:49 pm

    Be happy you only were cooped up one day! We are a one car family, in the snow. But you learn to be entertaining and baby doesn’t seem to mind.

  • sarah
    December 13, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    I’ve never been a HUGE gingerbread fan but maybe with the chocolate and icing it would help! Have safe travels – are you planning on blogging while away or doing a racap after??!! If not enjoy your first Christmas as a family of 3!!!!

  • Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
    December 13, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    keyword: REAL gingerbread…that’s exactly what this is! I love how soft and fluffy this loaf looks and the chocolate chips would be magical with gingerbread. I can’t wait to try those two together 🙂 Pinned!

  • Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists
    December 14, 2014 at 7:05 am

    I am in love with anything gingerbread! You always have great gingery recipes! Thanks:)

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    December 14, 2014 at 3:50 pm

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  • Meg
    December 14, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    This looks delicious, Jenna! I’ve been a long time reader and have seen many iterations of your gingerbread, including in your book, and still have not tried a recipe because I’ve been a little intimidated by it. By, I think the chocolate chips in this one will change my mind. 🙂

  • Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks
    December 16, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    I pinned this right away! Love the use of fresh ginger here.

  • Amber @ Homemade Nutrition
    December 16, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    This looks so good! Beautiful color and it looks really moist. I have to try it, thanks for sharing!

  • Alison (Fueling for Fitness)
    December 17, 2014 at 7:28 am

    I tried this out yesterday. I wasn’t sure what size loaf pan to use, so I used a glass 9×5 and the batter ended up exploding over the edge a little (I had a feeling it would since the batter went almost all the way to the top, but I thought perhaps it wouldn’t rise too much). I also baked it for closer to 55 minutes because I felt like the middle was not set (but in hindsight it may have just been melted chocolate that I was catching on my toothpick). So the loaf turned out a little dry which was my fault for leaving it in longer, but the taste was fantastic! Maybe next time I’ll add some cloves and nutmeg as well. Overall, I thought it was a solid recipe and I would totally use it again. 🙂

  • Kelly
    December 17, 2014 at 7:49 am

    I’ve only ever made Gingerbread from a box.. Its my dad’s favorite though so I’m thinking I’ll make some for him over the Christmas Holidays 🙂

  • Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel
    December 17, 2014 at 9:53 am

    A must try for any holiday baker. This is excellent. I remember I made gingerbread loaf a long time ago on my blog but i never thought to add chocolate chips! Well done!! 🙂

  • Creative Be
    December 17, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Mmmmm…. looks delicious! One quick question, how much butter is in one stick? Our butter in Canada does not really come in sticks – lol! At least not the ones I buy.

    Thanks! And happy holidays! 🙂

  • Diana Seeley
    December 17, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    It was good to finally see a recipe on your blog. I must admit I’m sadly disappointed that you’ve changed your format so much so that it’s now become a mommy/baby blog, along with all the products you endorse. I miss your innovative recipes and scriptures you used to quote. Babies are adorable, but not all of us want to read about them in every blog, so I’m sorry I will be leaving yours behind. Best of luck in the future.

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  • Emily @ Life on Food
    December 20, 2014 at 3:02 am

    Gingerbread is a must in December and it has to be in cake form for me. None of this cookie hype. This loaf looks amazing. I love the chocolate chip addition.

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  • Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork
    December 23, 2014 at 11:47 am

    This sounds delicious! I also have not thought of putting gingerbread and chocolate together, but I’ll take your word for it that it’s good. And I just so happen to have all of the ingredients at home. That doesn’t happen much!

  • Lindsay
    December 23, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    I’m going to attempt a gluten free version of this!! Sounds too good not to try! x

  • Lindsay @ Lindsay Lately Blog
    December 23, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    I’m going to attempt a gluten free version of this!! Sounds too good not to try! x

  • Big Kevin
    December 24, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Girl, that gingerbread loaf was delicious. I took it to a work potluck at the casino and the ladies I work with ate it up. One of them said it was giving her hot flashes (and I think she went through menopause back in the late 90s). Anyway, Merry Christmas. Oh crap – I just spilled wine all over my iPad – I’m eating pork tenderloin and getting tipsy while I catch up on my blogs.

  • Magda
    December 26, 2014 at 6:38 am

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  • Nancy C
    December 28, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    Mmmm! I made this last night and it’s curiously delicious! The addition of fresh ginger is a winner! Thank you!

  • Kate @ ¡Hola! Jalapeño
    December 31, 2014 at 5:31 am

    Oh my goodness that looks so good! I adore gingerbread but haven’t made any this year. I guess I’ll put this cake on my list of things to do in 2015! Happy New Year!

  • Matea
    January 3, 2015 at 10:40 am

    Gingerbread is definitely a holiday must-have!

  • Gloria
    January 17, 2015 at 8:48 am

    For 1.5 hours time for cooking, I think it is a great recipe! Thanks for sharing.

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