Baking · Holiday loaf cakes
Apple Butter Gingerbread Loaf
Apple butter is a concentrated apple spread that adds moisture to this gingerbread loaf. A modest measure of blackstrap molasses deepens the flavor while ginger and cloves give it a Christmas baking aroma.
Illustrative image
- Total
- 105 min
- Active
- 15 min
- Servings
- Calories
- 218 cal / serving
- Difficulty
- Advanced
Ingredients · 10 servings
- 3/4 cup apple butter
Eden Foods Organic Apple Butter Spread - 17 oz17 OZ · $12.41 - 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
Simply Organic - Ginger Organic - 1.64 ounces1.64 OZ · $5.78 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Morton And Bassett 100% Organic Ground Cinnamon - 2.3 oz2.3 OZ · $11.11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Spicely Organics, Organic Cloves Ground, 0.4 oz.4 OZ · $3.52 - 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
Woodstock Organic Brown Sugar - 16 oz16 OZ · $5.55 - 1 1/2 cups spelt flour, spooned and leveled
Arrowhead Mills - Organic Spelt Flour - 22 oz22 OZ · $6.42 - 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup neutral oil, plus 1 teaspoon for the pan
- 1/4 cup waterpantry staple
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon saltpantry staple
Checked items are in your order. Amounts scale with servings; products are sold as whole packages.
Steps
Prepare the loaf pan
Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan and line with a parchment sling.
Blend wet ingredients
Whisk apple butter, molasses, brown sugar, egg, oil and water until evenly combined. Break up any lumps of brown sugar.
Fold the batter
In another bowl whisk spelt flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda and salt. Fold into the wet mixture just until no dry flour remains. Do not taste the raw flour-and-egg batter.
Bake until set
Scrape into the pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a skewer comes out without wet batter and the center reaches at least 160°F (71°C). Tent with foil if the top browns early.
⏱ 45–50 min
Cool before slicing
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift onto a rack and cool another 30 minutes before slicing. This cooling time is included in the 1-hour-45-minute total.
⏱ 10 min⏱ 30 min
Nutrition per serving estimated
1 serving = 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
- Calories
- 218
- Protein
- 3.7 g
- Carbs
- 33.1 g
- Fat
- 8.8 g
- Fiber
- 2.5 g
- Sugar
- 17.4 g
- Sodium
- 197 mg
Estimated from package nutrition labels and USDA FoodData Central values. Actual values vary.
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Read recipe →Tips and substitutions
Measure sticky apple butter and molasses in an oiled measuring cup to help them release.
Spelt flour needs gentle mixing; stop as soon as the batter is combined.
Regular unsulphured molasses can replace blackstrap for a milder loaf; keep the same volume.
For a wheat-free loaf use a tested gluten-free gingerbread recipe rather than swapping spelt flour alone.
Storage, serving and make-ahead
Storage
Keep the cooled, plain loaf airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze wrapped slices for up to 2 months. Thaw wrapped at room temperature.
Serving suggestions
Cut into modest slices for a Christmas baking plate or serve with warm tea.
Make ahead
Bake 1 day ahead, cool completely and wrap tightly. Slice just before serving to keep the cut surfaces moist.
Allergens and product labels
Contains: wheat, egg.
Check each product label for allergen details.
Questions about this recipe
Is apple butter a dairy ingredient?
Apple butter is a thick apple spread, not churned butter. Check your package label; this loaf uses oil rather than dairy butter.
Is spelt wheat?
Yes. Spelt is wheat and is not suitable for a wheat-free or gluten-free diet. The base loaf also contains egg.
About this recipe
Estimates use package labels and USDA data; actual values vary.
By Akechi · Published .
Ingredient amounts are for cooking; products are sold as retail packages and pantry extras may be needed. Browse all recipes.