This year, I wanted to do a slightly different take on a Christmas classic--something grown folks might appreciate a bit more than a typical house or cookie! These loaves of bourbon-glazed gingerbread are baked up in disposable cardboard pans, which make them perfect for gifting. Just add some ribbon and you've got the perfect homemade present for a coworker or neighbor. I found the pans at my local HomeGoods but you can also buy them here in a variety of colors.
If you are baking these up to eat or serve in your own home, this recipe makes one normal-sized loaf of dense, chewy, rich gingerbread. The base of the bread itself is your run-of-the-mill gingerbread recipe, with molasses, ginger, clove, and cinnamon providing the classic flavor and a deep, brown color. The bourbon glaze is very simple but potent: powdered sugar, vanilla, and bourbon whiskey. You can tone down [or amp up] the amount of whiskey as you see fit. I do not recommend this recipe for individuals under 21 as the alcohol is soaked into the bread rather than baked out of it!
The gingerbread on its own is solid, though, so you could omit the glaze or simply leave the bourbon out of it in order to make it kid-friendly. I spent a whole Saturday baking last weekend and imagining I was competing on The Great American Baking show. My sister and I blasted Christmas music and these little loaves of bourbon-glazed gingerbread were definitely in the mix. We also whipped up my candy cane cookies and a fun, new cookie recipe that you'll see here soon. They will all be repeated for Christmas Eve, too. Of the many reasons I love this time of year, near the top of the list is how socially-acceptable it is to just bake and bake and bake!
If this bourbon-glazed gingerbread tickles your fancy, try my spiced banana nut bread, lemon zucchini bread, lemon berry quick bread, or applesauce quick bread! Let me know your thoughts on these below. Thanks for reading!
Classic gingerbread mini loaves soaked in a simple bourbon glaze
- 2 ½ cups flour sifted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter softened to room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground clove
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- ¼ cup bourbon whiskey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add softened butter, egg, and sugar to a large bowl and stir until combined. Then mix in molasses until uniform.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sea salt, clove, ginger, and cinnamon. Add this dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. A very thick, doughy batter will form.
Carefully add in the hot water and mix until batter is uniform. It should become significantly thinner and scoop-able. Scoop or pour batter into four mini loaf pans, dividing evenly.
Place loaf pans onto a sheet pan then transfer to the oven. Bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of each loaf comes out clean.
Meanwhile, mix together the glaze ingredients: powdered sugar, bourbon whiskey, and vanilla extract.
While still warm, poke holes in the tops of the gingerbread and spoon glaze over top.
Recipe by Jazzmine of Dash of Jazz
- Each loaf is approximately three servings. Nutrition facts are per serving, not per loaf.
- To freeze gingerbread loaves, do not frost. Wrap each loaf in plastic wrap this place into an airtight container. Keeps for up to three months. Thaw completely before frosting.
kage2015 says
Just the plain gingerbread would taste great. Adding the glaze on top to cover the gingerbread is over the top delicious.
Belle says
Oh my! This looks amazing! You had me at bourbon! Lol
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Michelle Parkman says
Your photos are phenomenal!! Also, Belle totally stole my comment 😉 You had me at bourbon! 🙂
Jazz says
Thanks so much, Michelle, and thanks for reading!
Courtney Connolly says
Oh this looks amazing! I recently discovered bourbon butter tarts and fell in love so I would probably love that!
La Belle Sirene
ccmartie333 says
Ummmm, this sounds amazing and would LOVE to use this as a guest post on my bourbon blog!
Jazz says
Thanks Courtney! If you'll shoot me an email (dashofjazzblog@gmail.com) we can set that up. I've got another bourbon dessert coming up soon!
Hetal Vasavada says
umm i'll eat anything that is glazed in bourbon 😉
Amanda | My Gluten-Free Miami says
This sounds delicious and not overly boozy. I know a lady who makes rum cakes to sell around the holidays. There was so much rum, it was almost a pudding. Just don't get stopped with one in the car...I bet you could smell it as soon as you opened the window. "No, officer. I haven't been drinking and I don't have an open container of rum in the car...have a piece of cake!"
certifiedpastryaficionado says
I love these cakes for gifting! What a great idea! And I seriously think I've seen those same paper tins at Home Goods. I circle the cooking section like 20 times haha
Jazz says
I do the same! There's just so much stuff, I have to make sure I haven't missed anything.
Amanda @ Anchored to Sunshine says
This looks and sounds delicious! This would pair perfectly with my cup of coffee right now 🙂
Stacy says
Yum! This recipe sounds delicious, and I love the idea of baking and gifting mini loaves!
Shannon says
This sounds SO good!
Veronika says
I don't drink, ever, but lately I've been really craving bourbon in baked goods, hot chocolate etc. so this hits the spot!
Jazz says
Veronika, I have a recipe I think you'll absolutely love going up tomorrow morning! I hope you'll check it out and thanks for reading. 🙂
Elizabeth Edgar says
I agree with basically every comment about bourbon! <3 A major drool-fest!
Kelly says
Home goods is the best for finding cooking and baking items! This sounds amazing, a great take on a holiday classic!
Patricia A Cash says
Awesome! Gave as Christmas gifts and everyone them. Can these be frozen and how long?
Jazz says
Hi, Patricia! I'm so glad these worked for you! Yes, you can freeze them for up 6-8 months. Just be sure to wrap them tightly in layers of plastic wrap and/or store them in an airtight container. Happy New Year!
K T says
What is the bake temp supposed to be? I’m not seeing it posted anywhere. Excited to try these!
Jazz says
Hi Kate--sorry about that! The bake temperature is 350 degrees farenheit. I'll update the recipe card now.