You are in for a wonderful treat today! I am featuring guest blogger who is honestly, one of the best cooks I know................
............ my sweet sister, Annie! I've never been to Annie's house without coming home with a beaucoup of wonderful recipes and the sensation that I had been to the best bed and breakfast ......... ever!
Unfortunately, we live many miles apart and don't get to see each other as often as we'd like. It was so fun when Annie sent me this recipe and the photos she had taken - it was almost as good as sitting down together and sharing coffee and a slice of this delightful seasonal bread. I miss you Annie!
~
It's that time of year again where I can hardly wait to make a stop at Starbucks for a piece of their Gingerbread Loaf Cake. I'm actually glad that it only appears in their food case during the Christmas holiday or I would be working out twice a day every day because I so.... enjoy this sweet treat! However, I was delighted one day while perusing the Restaurant Recipe Blog site and came across THE recipe. It tastes and looks just like Starbucks. And the best part........it freezes beautifully (with or without the frosting) so....now you can have your cake and eat it too..... anytime of the year!! ~ Annie
Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf
Ingredients for the gingerbread:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 1/4 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract, optional
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon baking soda
Ingredients for the frosting:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
2 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
Directions for gingerbread:
1. Preheat your oven to 350˚ F. Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt, then set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in orange extract.
4. Mix baking soda into applesauce and stir into creamed butter mixture. Add flour mixture. Mix until smooth.
5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
6. Bake at 350˚F for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
Directions for frosting:
1. Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and orange extract. Slowly beat in confectioner’s sugar.
2. Once the cake has cooled, evenly spread the frosting on top. Decorate with chopped candied orange peel or candied ginger.
1. Preheat your oven to 350˚ F. Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt, then set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in orange extract.
4. Mix baking soda into applesauce and stir into creamed butter mixture. Add flour mixture. Mix until smooth.
5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
6. Bake at 350˚F for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
Directions for frosting:
1. Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and orange extract. Slowly beat in confectioner’s sugar.
2. Once the cake has cooled, evenly spread the frosting on top. Decorate with chopped candied orange peel or candied ginger.
Annie told me about your site! And yes, she is one of the greatest cooks alive!
ReplyDeleteOhh, this looks so divine! These flavors are great!
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful; love that chopped candied ginger on top.
ReplyDeleteRita
Mmm this really sounds good. I wonder if I could turn one recipe into two mini loaf pans to give as gifts? I think anyone would like to get this as a gift. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound amazing without leaving home.
ReplyDeleteWow! Great idea! My son loves this gingerbread from Starbucks, thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI want to go to Annie's Bed and Breakfast with you the
ReplyDeletenext time. I love gingerbread - but I'm the only one in
my family -maybe this will entice them to join me so I don't have to eat the whole loaf.
I miss you and love our little morning visits over coffee or tea. I can't look at your blog and just smell the gingerbread and keep sippin. Come see me:-)
geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenie
Wow does that look amazing. I love gingerbread anything!
ReplyDeleteSisters . . . are so fun, and when they can bake Starbuck's Gingerbread . . . even better. :-)
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Glenda
Looks like Annie could start a blog of her own--she already takes blog-worthy photos of food! Great job and write-up, Annie! I've never had Starbucks Gingerbread loaf cake--I'll have to try this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteShe definitely could! But I'm afraid she would put me to shame! :)
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe the coincidence... I popped in to Starbucks earlier today for my usual double matcha and what was I gawking over but their beautiful gingerbread loaves...!! And here they are in perfect form. Wonderful job Annie, these look positively scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteI am tickled pink to have this recipe. I wait all year for this treat to appear in Starbuck's pastry case. The combination of gingerbread spices and that yummy cream cheese frosting is out of sight. Can't wait to make this.
ReplyDeletewow...droooooooooling dish...cant wait to try this tempting loaves..;)
ReplyDeleteTasty Appetite
Chris I wish you would stop posting such delicious-looking sweets. I can't help but make them myself. I'm not going to fit into my wedding dress!
ReplyDeleteYet another fabulous looking recipe. You must have good cook blood running in your family.
oh my goodness thanks for sharing.. few days ago I went to starbucks, only to have a piece of this, and the girl told me that they are not currently serving it..
ReplyDeleteI have 2 questions: when you say "applesauce" is it the same if I cook apples, and mash them? (there is no applesauce in jar where I live) and which apples should I choose? red or green?
oh.. there were 3 questions: the cream cheese: you would say it's salty, or more like cream? dont want to spoil it!!
thanks a lot!!
vivi from argentina
You could definitely used cooked, smashed apples in lieu of applesauce, I would use the green variety and add a bit of sugar while cooking. As far as the cream cheese goes, I'm not sure what to tell you. Cream cheese is a bit tangy and thick and it has a consistency and flavor totally it's own. I wish I could give you a better answer than this, sorry! You might want to try googling it :)
ReplyDeleteI have come just to say thanks again: I did the loaf yesterday,and it was as good as the "real" one
ReplyDeleteit made me remember too of one I used to do some time ago, but instead of apples, i used mashed squash, and sunflower oil instead of butter; if you want to try it, let me know, I could send you the recipe
the one you share here is more tasty,I went for more apples already, I will definitely make it again this week
Hi Vivi - I'm so glad you enjoyed this - I would love your recipe - thanks for getting back to me!
ReplyDeleteDo you use a loaf pan or a 9 inch square pan. The instructions are confusing. Thanks.
ReplyDelete