Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting{Dairy free, Gluten Free}

This Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect holiday treat to enjoy on Christmas morning with a delicious cup of hot cocoa or a gingerbread latte. It’s got just the right amount of warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and clove. The texture is perfectly moist due to my secret ingredient – Apple Butter! The dairy free cream cheese frosting on top really brings it all together as well. 10/10 definitely recommend!

Why this gingerbread loaf is healthier

This Gingerbread loaf is made with healthy nutrient dense ingredients compared to the average loaf. This one is made without dairy, refined grains, sugars, or oils. Instead this recipe uses paleo flours like almond, coconut, and tapioca. Instead of cane sugar this recipe uses coconut sugar and monk fruit which are lower on the glycemic index(Yay for healthy blood sugar levels!)

The cream cheese frosting is made with an almond milk based cream cheese which tastes like the real deal! Dairy can be very inflammatory for some people so this is a great alternative.

The frosting is also sweetened with powdered monk fruit “sugar” instead of regular powdered sugar. Monk Fruit is native to China and has actually been used for centuries. It’s a zero calorie sweetener similar to stevia but doesn’t have a bitter after taste like stevia can. Monk fruit is an excellent sugar alternative and is great for people with insulin sensitivity.

Molasses is a key ingredient for any gingerbread recipe to get that very specific flavor. It is the byproduct of the sugar making process and is the syrup leftover that contains nutrients. Blackstrap molasses is especially know to have the most nutrients such as calcium magnesium, selenium, iron, and B6.

The spices used in the gingerbread loaf recipe are ginger, cinnamon, and clove. All of these spices have medicinal benefits. Ginger is known to support digestion and also has anti-inflammatory properties. Ceylon cinnamon in particular supports healthy blood sugar levels and also has anti-inflammatory properties. Cloves contain antioxidants and may also help to kill bad bacteria and parasites in the body.

What you will need

For the gingerbread loaf

Gluten Free Baking Flour – You will want to use a 1:1 ratio gluten free baking flour with xanthan gum like this one by Bob’s Red Mill.

Almond Flour – Combing the gluten free baking flour with almond flour helps keep the gingerbread loaf very moist and soft.

Coconut Sugar – You can substitute with maple syrup or monk fruit granules.

Apple Butter – You can substitute with apple sauce but I highly recommend using apple butter because it gives the gingerbread loaf the perfect texture and sweetness.

Molasses – I definitely recommend using blackstrap molasses for the best flavor and nutrition value.

Nut Milk – I use either coconut or almond milk.

Eggs or Egg Replacer – I use the Bob’s Red Mill egg replacer which works amazing! You can use regular eggs as well too.

Coconut Oil – You can also substitute with avocado oil.

Baking Soda and Baking Powder – This is what makes the bread rise.

Vanilla Extract – This gives the bread a delicious sweet note of flavor.

Spices – In this recipe we use ginger, cinnamon, and clove.

For the cream cheese frosting

Dairy Free Cream Cheese – I use the Kite Hill brand which tastes amazing.

Vegan Butter – This helps keep the texture of the frosting more firm.

Powdered Monk Fruit – This is a great sugar free alternative to regular powdered sugar.

Vanilla Extract – I love my frosting to have a slight vanilla flavor!

Nut Milk – Using a little nut milk helps thin out the frosting.

How to make the Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

Make the batter

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then in a bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and spices. In a separate bowl mix together the nut milk, eggs or flax eggs, molasses, apple butter or apple sauce, coconut oil, and vanilla extract.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and then pour into a greased parchment paper lined loaf pan. Bake for 50-55 mins. Once the gingerbread loaf is done baking, let it cool down completely before frosting.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the gingerbread loaf is baking, make the cream cheese frosting. Add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and then use a hand mixer to beat the ingredients together.

Place the frosting in the fridge in a bowl covered so it will firm up a little bit for 30 minutes. Take the cream cheese frosting out of the fridge and add to a piping bag. Pip the cream cheese frosting on top of the gingerbread loaf until the top is covered. (You can also spread it out on top of the loaf with a spatula.)

You can top with festive sprinkles or garnish with fresh rosemary and frosted cranberries if you want a pretty and festive look.

*Store the loaf in the fridge. It should be good for up to a week*

Check out these delicious holiday recipes!

Cranberry Apple Crumble Bars

Gingerbread Truffles

Double Chocolate Christmas Donuts

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to see your creations! Don’t forget to tag @colorful_superfoodie on Instagram and I’ll re-share!