Gingerbread Loaf Cake

The perfect holiday treat: sweet, moist, loaded with warm spices and so easy to make. Double or triple the recipe for a delightful homemade gift for neighbors and friends.

¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup sugar
1 large egg
½ cup molasses
1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves
½ cup hot water (scant)

Icing

1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk or cream
1 dash each of ginger, cinnamon and cloves (optional)

• Preheat oven to 350°. 
• Line an 8½ x 4½ loaf pan with aluminum foil with at least a few inches folded over the top. 
• Grease along sides and bottom.
• In a large bowl, beat oil and sugar for 1 minute on medium. 
• Add egg and mix for 2 minutes on medium. 
• Add molasses and mix until combined.
• Sift flour and then measure in to a medium bowl. 
• Add soda and spices. sift three more times or stir with a whisk for about 30 seconds.
• Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients about ⅓rd at a time, scraping sides of bowl and fully incorporating each time. 
• Add hot water. 
• BATTER WILL BE THIN!
• Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
• Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and lift bread out of the pans using the excess aluminum foil
• Place on a cooling rack to cool completely.
• When loaf is cool, combine powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk until it is thick but able to be poured over the loaf and slowly drizzle down the sides. 
• If desired mix in a sprinkle or two of ginger, cinnamon and cloves.

Recipe: That Recipe