I posted this by request for someone awhile ago on another site. Several people tried it and gave it excellent reviews.
STARBUCKS-STYLE HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD LOAF
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 1/4 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract, optional
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon baking soda
FROSTING:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in orange extract if using.
Dissolve baking soda into applesauce and mix into creamed butter mixture. Add flour mixture. Mix until smooth.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 50 minutes "(I do 45 minutes)" or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out just slightly sticky.
FROSTING:
Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and orange extract (if using). Gradually beat in confectioner's sugar.
Frost cake when it is completely cooled. Decorate with chopped candied orange peel or candied ginger.
Recipe by Veronica Hill / Daily Press
STARBUCKS-STYLE HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD LOAF
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 1/4 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract, optional
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon baking soda
FROSTING:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in orange extract if using.
Dissolve baking soda into applesauce and mix into creamed butter mixture. Add flour mixture. Mix until smooth.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 50 minutes "(I do 45 minutes)" or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out just slightly sticky.
FROSTING:
Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and orange extract (if using). Gradually beat in confectioner's sugar.
Frost cake when it is completely cooled. Decorate with chopped candied orange peel or candied ginger.
Recipe by Veronica Hill / Daily Press