11 Must-Bake Breads for Winter Celebrations and Beyond

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Gingerbread

Warm, cozy, and packed with the flavors of the holiday season, this gingerbread loaf is a spiced quick bread that combines the rich depth of molasses with the aromatic warmth of ginger and cinnamon. Whether served as a dessert, breakfast treat, or midday snack, it’s a festive addition to any gathering. Dress it up with a glaze or frosting, or enjoy it plain alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients (for 1 loaf):

For the Bread:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses
• ½ cup whole milk

For the Optional Glaze or Frosting:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk (for a glaze) or 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg until fully combined.
4. Mix in the molasses, followed by the milk. The mixture may look slightly curdled—this is normal.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 min., or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 min., then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. For a simple glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled loaf. For cream cheese frosting, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy, then spread evenly over the loaf.