You’ll love this Old Fashioned Gingerbread with Lemon Glaze recipe. If you’ve only had gingerbread cookies, you’ll be delighted with this moist, light, and cakey old-fashioned gingerbread scented with warm spices and topped with a sweet-tart lemon glaze.
The only good thing about cold weather at this time of the year is that it puts everyone in the Christmas spirit. All our tastiest cold weather recipes start making appearances. Soups, chilis, and stews. Hot cocoa. Mulled wine. And spicy, warm, fragrant Old Fashioned Gingerbread with Lemon Glaze.
If you’ve never had the classic pairing of gingerbread with lemon glaze, you’ll be pleasantly pleased with this delicious combination. The glaze is just a light kiss of citrus on top of the warm, spicy gingerbread. It’s a flavor profile you never knew you were missing until you have it.
The fragrance of gingerbread baking is just delightful as the cinnamon, cloves, and ginger fill the house with holiday cheer. The spices used in gingerbread are truly ancient.
There have been volumes written about gingerbread’s origins, and most experts feel sure it originated in the Middle East. I think, considering the spices involved, that conclusion makes sense. It’s known to have been made in ancient Greece and Egypt, making its appearance in Europe in the 11th century when the Crusaders brought over new spices, including the very exotic ginger.
My gingerbread recipe is probably most similar to British gingerbreads. It’s moist, cakey, and very pungent from the molasses. The spices give it a warm feel in the mouth, and the lemon glaze adds just the right amount of tart sweetness.
— This post was originally published on December 6, 2010. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Oven/Stovetop
Total Time: 1 Hour
Servings: 9
Primary Ingredient(s): Butter, sugar, molasses, flour, spices, lemon
Skill Level: Easy
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I love this recipe. It reminds me of the gingerbread and lemon glaze that they used to serve when I was in school.“
— Alice
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- Gingerbread is a seasonal holiday staple with warm winter spices.
- It has a unique and distinct flavor profile.
- It’s easy to make, and the lemon glaze puts it over the top!
Ingredient Notes
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- All of the ingredients in this recipe are standard pantry ingredients, with the possible exception of molasses (also called black treacle). If you don’t have molasses on hand, you’ll need to pick up some as it is essential to the flavor of gingerbread. Just can’t make it without molasses.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Old Fashioned Gingerbread with Lemon Glaze
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch square baking dish or pan with cooking spray or grease it well with butter.
Mix the Batter
- In a large bowl, beat the butter at medium speed until fluffy.
- Gradually add the sugar, beating well.
- Add the molasses and egg and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.
- Add the flour and spice mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with water, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan or dish.
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Bake the Gingerbread
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Make the Lemon Glaze
- While the gingerbread cools slightly, make the glaze.
- Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar has melted and the glaze is warm.
- Slowly pour over the top of the warm gingerbread.
Pro Tip
Using a thin skewer or toothpick to make holes all over the gingerbread before pouring the glaze over will allow some of the glaze to run down into the gingerbread.
- Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
If you prefer, you can offer the glaze on the side rather than pouring it over the gingerbread. Or offer a choice of lemon glaze or a dollop of whipped cream.
Storage and Make Ahead Information
Gingerbread may be made up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It should keep for about a week.
Questions About Old Fashioned Gingerbread
For this recipe, I recommend unsulfured molasses (such as Grandma’s Original). This is the least refined type of molasses.
Sorry, but no. This recipe is for a soft, old-fashioned gingerbread cake, not to be confused with gingerbread cookies.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to have you here.
Recipe
Old Fashioned Gingerbread with Lemon Glaze
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread:
- ⅓ cup butter softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup hot water
- Cooking Spray
For the Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- Grated rind of one lemon
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the Gingerbread:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch square baking dish or pan with cooking spray or grease it well with butter.Cooking Spray
- Beat the margarine or butter at medium speed until fluffy.⅓ cup butter
- Gradually add the sugar, beating well.½ cup sugar
- Add molasses and egg and beat well.1 cup molasses, 1 egg
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with water, beginning and ending with flour mixture.1 cup hot water
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan or dish.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
For the Lemon Glaze:
- While the gingerbread cools slightly, make the glaze.1 cup powdered sugar, Grated rind of one lemon, Juice of one lemon, 1 teaspoon water, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until warm.
- Slowly pour over the top of the warm gingerbread.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can offer the lemon glaze on the side rather than pouring it over the gingerbread.
- Gingerbread may be made up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It should keep for about a week.
- This recipe is for a soft, old-fashioned gingerbread cake, not to be confused with gingerbread cookies.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
Your Gingerbread looks wonderful.
I made Gingerbread boy and girl cookies a couple weeks ago with my grandkids the weekend of Thanksgiving. Not so much to eat but to transform into Christmas Tree Ornaments. So, I looked for a cookie recipe that was pretty firm and stiff. It made great ornaments – but not so hot when it comes to eating – but that was on purpose.
Yum, Gingerbread! Mama served it with whipped cream and bananas. I am delighted to find your marvelous blog. I know/knew many of your Miller County relatives. We live at the old Campbell Homeplace, about two miles from the Taylor Homeplace just across the county line.
This looks so delicious, Lana. That big ole piece would be perfect with some hot cocoa!
Thank you, Robyn. It was good while it lasted. Might have to make some more when the grandbabies come for Christmas.
I found your blog searching for a recipe my grandmother makes, and I am so happy I found it. Can I come over for dinner? I promise to bring something yummy. don’t you just love people who invite themselves over? Ha ha
Love your style of cooking and your photos are gorgeous!
Thanks, Jenna. Did you find your grandmother’s recipe?
This looks great! I’m loving the lemon glaze…yum!
So pretty….wonderful glaze.
I love the lemon glaze!
Thanks, Maria. To me, the lemon glaze really makes the whole recipe!
I can almost smell it’s wonderful aroma just looking at your pictures… great recipe Lana
Ok that looks amazing! Did you change your header? I love it!
I was going to comment on the green polka-dot dish, too. It certainly brightens up the table. Thank you for the recipe.
Ahhhh….I love gingerbread but have never made it from scratch. I know hard to believe isn’t it!
Darling green polka-dotted baking dish! Love it!
They have those baking dishes at T. J. Maxx-HomeGoods for next to nothing. All sizes, too.
So festive, love this! I bet it makes the kitchen smell fabulous
Yes! Actually it makes the whole house smell fantastic!
This looks so yummy! I remember my mom making lemon sauce to go over the gingerbread when I was little. I loved it!
Thanks, Shelby! I think gingerbread brings back long ago memories for lots of people. It wasn’t something we grew up with in our household but I always think of it around this time of year.
wow Lana – another great recipe! my father-in-law loves, loves, loves gingerbread but i bet he’d be over-the-moon with the addition of that lemon glaze!
I love that sweet-tart lemon along with the spices in the gingerbread. And this simple glaze is easy, easy, easy.
Wow, that looks great. I am saving this one and will try it with some apples/applesauce added it. I love apple gingerbread. :-)
Thanks again.
janet