This moist Pumpkin Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf recipe is a delicious and healthy seasonal treat. It is made with whole wheat flour and no refined sugar - even that glorious icing drizzle is made from clean ingredients.
This chocolate Gingerbread Loaf recipe is an amazing treat to make for the holiday season - or anytime of year - when the gingerbread cravings hit you!
But because this ginger loaf has both pumpkin and gingerbread flavors I think it is actually a great transitional treat. We've got pumpkin paired with gingerbread, which is perfect for the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Have any leftover pumpkin puree from the Thanksgiving pie? This gingerbread loaf is a great way to use it up.
The pumpkin puree is mainly used for moistening this quick bread. Chocolate and gingerbread (spices + molasses) predominate the flavor of this loaf cake.
As decadent as this recipe may sound, it is actually quite healthy. It is made with white whole wheat flour.
Also, honey and molasses are the only sweeteners used. Although the icing looks like powdered sugar glaze, it is actually made from coconut cream and honey!
So yes, go ahead and delve into Christmas making and don't feel even a little bit bad about it. This Gingerbread loaf would even be great as a Christmas Breakfast Idea.
More Gingerbread Recipes:
And if you love gingerbread flavors as much as me, you'll also enjoy these recipes
Recipe
Gingerbread Loaf Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or butter
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tablespoon gingerbread spice mix
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips optional
Icing:
- ¼ cup coconut cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° F and line an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper (or grease and flour it).
- In a large bowl whisk together pumpkin puree, honey, molasses, oil, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In another bowl whisk white whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, gingerbread spice mix, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Fold the flour mixture into the wet mixture. Finally fold in dark chocolate chips, if desired. Then pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake the gingerbread loaf for about 25-30 minutes until the top springs back when lightly pressed or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert on a wire rack to let cool fully.
- For the icing whisk together coconut cream, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf just before serving, otherwise the white icing will absorb a brown color from the gingerbread loaf.
Notes
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Common Questions
Gingerbread loaves can become dry if they are overbaked or lack sufficient moisture. To prevent this, make sure not to overbake your loaf and consider using ingredients like pumpkin puree or applesauce to keep it moist.
Yes, gingerbread is made with ginger. It is a traditional spice cake that includes ginger, as well as other spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Gingerbread gets its distinct flavor from the combination of spices, particularly ginger. The spices, along with molasses or honey, give gingerbread its warm and aromatic taste.
Gingerbread can be served on its own as a sweet treat, or you can pair it with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of icing for added indulgence.
Pumpkin bread typically includes ingredients like pumpkin puree, flour, sugar (often brown sugar), eggs, and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It's a moist and flavorful bread with a pumpkin pie-like taste.
Yes, you can freeze pumpkin bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container before freezing. Thaw it at room temperature when you're ready to enjoy it again.
Gingerbread loaves may collapse if they are underbaked in the center or if the leavening agents (like baking soda or baking powder) are not properly balanced with the other ingredients. Make sure to follow the recipe instructions closely and test for doneness with a toothpick before removing it from the oven.
Gingerbread and ginger cake are similar in that they both contain ginger as a primary flavor. However, gingerbread often has a stronger molasses flavor and a denser, more loaf-like texture.
Ginger cake, on the other hand, can vary in texture from moist and cake-like to denser and more like gingerbread. Gingerbread is often associated with the holiday season and may include additional spices like cinnamon and cloves. Ginger cake can be enjoyed year-round and might have a lighter, fluffier texture.
Patricia Russo
The chocolate gingerbread loaf sounds like a great recipe to try & I will very soon. Just wanted to let you know my husband and I totally enjoyed your coconut flour bread. Thanks so much! From now on,it's always homemade coconut flour bread made at home and no purchases from the store.
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Thanks for your comment, Patricia! Homemade bread is definitely so flavourful and healthy compared with many store-bought types of bread. 🙂