Gingerbread Loaf (Starbucks copy)

Gingerbread Loaf (Starbucks copy)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon orange oil (or substitute 1 teaspoon orange extract)

1 egg

1 cup natural applesauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 7 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add orange extract and egg; mix well. Alternately add the applesauce with the flour mixture to the butter mixture; beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for about 45 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing from pan to continue cooling on wire rack.

Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon orange oil (or substitute 1/2 teaspoon orange extract)

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

Candied ginger, chopped (Optional)

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract and orange oil. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth. Frost top of cooled cake and sprinkle with candied ginger. Store leftover cake and frosting covered in refrigerator.

©Sugar Spice and Spilled Milk

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