Lemon Swirl Gingerbread
Delightfully spiced and irresistibly moist, this Lemon Swirl Gingerbread recipe is a sophisticated twist on a classic holiday favorite. Featuring deep molasses flavor, warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, and a creamy, tangy lemon swirl made with cream cheese and fresh lemon zest, this loaf is bursting with contrasting yet complementary flavors. The marbled design adds a touch of elegance, making it not only a treat for the palate but also a feast for the eyes. Perfectly balanced between sweet and zesty, this gingerbread is easy to prepare with just 25 minutes of prep time and bakes to golden perfection in under an hour. Serve it as a show-stopping centerpiece for holiday gatherings, or enjoy a cozy slice alongside your favorite cup of tea or coffee.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 0.5 cup molasses
- 2 pieces large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the molasses and mix until fully incorporated. Then add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients and milk in alternating batches, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. This will be your lemon swirl mixture.
Pour half of the gingerbread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Drop dollops of the lemon swirl mixture on top, then pour over the remaining batter. Use a knife to gently swirl the lemon mixture throughout the batter, creating a marbled effect.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then use the parchment overhang to lift it out and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your Lemon Swirl Gingerbread with a cup of tea or coffee!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4329 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 204.4 g | 262% | |
| Saturated Fat | 123.0 g | 615% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 914 mg | 305% | |
| Sodium | 3820 mg | 166% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 587.8 g | 214% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.8 g | 35% | |
| Total Sugars | 389.7 g | ||
| Protein | 54.3 g | 109% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.7 mcg | 23% | |
| Calcium | 1087 mg | 84% | |
| Iron | 23.2 mg | 129% | |
| Potassium | 3601 mg | 77% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
