Favorite Old-Fashioned Gingerbread
A warm, nostalgic old-fashioned gingerbread made with molasses, cozy spices, and a tender, moist crumb. Perfect for holiday baking and delicious with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or ice cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment.
- Beat softened butter until creamy.
- Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg, then the molasses until smooth.
- In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the molasses mixture, mixing until incorporated.
- Pour in hot water and mix until the batter is smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Check with a toothpick; if needed, bake an additional 5–10 minutes until done.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.
Notes
Increase cinnamon, ginger, and cloves for a spicier gingerbread.
Add orange zest for brightness.
Stir in raisins or chopped dates for sweetness.
Serve with lemon curd, whipped cream, or caramel sauce.
Freeze well for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
