Gingerbread Loaf w/ Orange Glaze

this morning i met my lovely, favourite girl & bitmogi twin at starbucks for our routine early morning coffee date.  

now that the red cups are out, so are all the seasonal treats; cranberry bliss bars, snowman cookies & gingerbread loaf.  cueing holiday willpower.

you'll be impressed to know i didn't take home a slice of the gingerbread loaf despite the temptation.  nope, instead i made an entire loaf at home as the ultimate challenge in willpower.

aromatic warm spices now fill my entire house and moist gingerbread loaf now fills my belly.

i'm feeling extra festive this fine friday.

Gingerbread Loaf w/ Orange Glaze

ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons ginger
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup buter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

orange glaze

1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice

method:
preheat oven to 350F.  spray 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with non stick spray and set aside.
in large mixing bowl combine the first 6 ingredients and whisk till incorporated.
in bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  add in egg, applesauce and vanilla and mix to well combined.
add dry ingredients and mix till batter just comes together.  do not over mix.
pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  (note: if top starts to brown too quickly, cover with tinfoil)
remove from oven and allow to cool before turning loaf out onto a cooling rack.

to make glaze: whisk together sugar and orange juice.  pour over completely cooled loaf.  allow glaze to set before slicing.