Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread ~ skip the trip to the pricey coffee shop and make your own moist and perfectly spiced frosted gingerbread. It’s just right for breakfast, brunch, coffee break or dessert.
I got a sudden craving for Starbucks gingerbread the other day, but I was way too busy to stand on one of their famous lines, and anyway, it’s been pouring buckets here in California, and I just blow-dried my hair… so there was no way I was going out in that. I wish they’d get that whole drone thing figured out soon, it would really help. But you probably already figured out that this story has a happy ending.
My copycat version is divine. It’s everything you dream of in a gingerbread, plus a heaping layer of cream cheese frosting. I say copycat, but in truth, it’s much much better than anything you could buy. The spicing is fresh and rich, the cake itself is extra moist, and the top heavy load of frosting makes it decadent and a little quirky. Definitely not mass produced. And it gets even better after a night in the fridge, so it’s pretty perfect for Christmas morning.
This recipe has been floating around the Internet for some time, and it’s really very good. It has a similar texture to my Spiced Apple Cake, probably because both recipes rely on fruit puree to create an extra moist crumb. The spice cake uses apple butter, and this recipe calls for applesauce, but I didn’t have any, and because of all that rain, I raided my cabinets for an alternative. I came up with a can of pears, which I drained and pureed in my little food processor…I think it was an inspired choice.
The frosting needs no introduction. It’s a classic cream cheese, dusted with some freshly grated nutmeg. Have I sung the praises of fresh nutmeg enough? I probably have, but I’ll do it again in case some of you are new 😉 I ONLY buy whole nutmeg, never the ground stuff. I use a simple microplane grater to shave off just what I need. The flavor and the scent is out of this world. Taste it in your mind’s eye…I know you can.
You will love this, I have no doubt. Make it with confidence for company. It’s that good. One warning — I don’t think this would be ideal to wrap and give as a gift because all that cream cheese frosting stays relatively soft. I think it would get messed up, just saying. But that’s just all the more reason to treat yourself.
Do you love to copy Starbucks as much as I do?
- Better Than Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bread
- What to Make Now: Starbucks Copy Cat Recipes
- Better Than Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread
- Starbucks Copy Cat Maple Oat Nut Scones
“Oh My Goodness – this is truly the BEST Gingerbread I EVER tasted!! This was fabulous. Will be making this again very soon.”
Bee
Copy Cat Starbucks Gingerbread
Equipment
- standard 9×5 loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup applesauce (also use apple butter)
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
cream cheese frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, plus more if needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 9×5 loaf pan lightly with cooking spray, and then, if you like, line it with parchment paper leaving the ends long so you can lift it out when it's cool.
- Cream the butter and the sugar until fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and the egg, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Blend in the applesauce.
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices and then add it to the bowl slowly. When everything is incorporated, turn the batter into your pan and smooth it out.
- Bake for about 55 minutes, or until it is risen and a toothpick comes out clean. Loaf pans and ovens can vary greatly, use your common sense to tell you when your cake is done. Check it early.
- Let cool completely on a rack before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese with the vanilla and then add 2 1/2 cups of the sugar and beat until smooth and creamy. Add a little more sugar if it’s not as thick as you like.
- Spread a thick layer of the frosting over the gingerbread. Dust with freshly grated nutmeg.
Notes
- If you love the flavor of fresh ginger, add crystallized ginger to the bread, and sprinkle more on top of the frosting.
- If you love gingerbread spices, try my Glazed Gingerbread Bundt Cake or my Gingerbread ice Cream!
- This recipe makes ALOT of frosting…you could probably get away with halving it if you don’t care for such a decadently thick layer.
Gorgeous gingerbread and that frosting is absolute perfection!
Looks great, and I have to say I made your microwave peanut brittle last night and it’s the best I’ve ever had! You were right, it was very easy as well. I bought raw Spanish peanuts and just roasted them myself before putting them into the brittle. Thank you!
Printing now! I made gingerbread cupcakes for my next post – if I can ever get it written – haha. Love this recipe – and will probably make it for Christmas. Thanks Sue!
I think you’ll like it, Tricia, I’m going to make it for my girls when they get here. I look forward to your cupcakes!
I have to admit I’ve never had Starbucks Gingerbread but this looks wonderful and I’d much rather have homemade than stand in a line any day! Sheesh, I know California has been in a drought but that’s a lot of rain you’ve had.
Gingerbread is my favourite this time of year! I’ve never had Starbuck’s version, but this one looks absolutely delicious. Must bake this up this week to enjoy over the holidays.
It’s not Christmas til the gingerbread man sings (or serves cake). GREG
So true 🙂 Have a great one, Gregg!
This will be going to my husband’s work potluck next week after I try one for at home first 🙂 Did you use a standard size can of pears? Thanks for sharing.
Ooop, no, a 15 oz can, I’ll update that, thanks Sharon!
Thanks!
I hate rain and blow dried hair too:)
Must Pin!
Really! And to think I’ve been moaning about how dry it’s been…it never rains, but it pours 😉
Sigh. All I can say, Sue, is that I wish you were my next door neighbor.
Me too, Amy — I seriously need takers for some of this stuff, this one was dangerous to have around.
Oh, yum. It’s like Santa’s kitchen over here, Sue. I think I’ll try this Thursday or Friday. We have 3 holiday potlucks this week, and this would be perfect to bring along.
I know you’ll love this Elizabeth, I think I’m going to make it on Christmas Eve for us to have in the morning. Have a wonderful week!