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This gluten-free gingerbread loaf is the perfect comforting breakfast or snack for cooler months. Enjoy as is or top with frosting or whipped cream for the ultimate treat. 

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Loaf // thehealthymaven.com

For as long as I can remember I’ve loved to bake. Over the years boxed Betty Crocker Brownies turned into black bean brownies, but the premise is still the same, mix, stir, bake, eat. Baking has become my therapy! I bake when I’m stressed, I bake when I’m happy, I bake for others, I bake for myself. No matter how I’m feeling, baking tends to put me at ease.

I’ve had successes and failures in the kitchen over the years but lucky for you, this gingerbread loaf is a clear win!

Here’s What You Need

  • sparking water – yes, you read that right! Sparkling water helps this bread rise.
  • baking soda and baking powder – also help the bread rise.
  • blackstrap molasses – a key ingredient for the gingerbread flavor. You can swap for honey or maple syrup if you’d like but the flavor will be a bit different.
  • Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour – any gluten-free all-purpose flour works! I used a blend.
  • coconut palm sugar – white cane sugar works too.
  • dried and freshly grated ginger – can’t have gingerbread without ginger!
  • black pepper – I know this sounds odd but don’t be scared! It elevates the other spices in the bread.
  • salt – brings all of the flavors together.
  • applesauce – replaces the oil or butter traditionally found in gingerbread recipes.
  • eggs – helps the bread hold it’s shape and keeps the wet and dry ingredients combined.
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Loaf // thehealthymaven.com

How to Make Gingerbread

STEP 1: Bring the sparkling water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and add in the baking soda. The mixture will foam up!

STEP 2: When the foaming subsides, stir in the molasses and coconut palm sugar. Set aside.

STEP 3: Whisk the flour, ground ginger, baking powder, pepper and salt in a large bowl.

STEP 4: Add the sparkling water-molasses mixture to a large bowl. Whisk in the eggs, applesauce and grated ginger until combined.

STEP 5: Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients in three parts. Stir continuously until the mixture is completely smooth. Transfer the batter to a loaf pan that is prepped with non-stick spray or coconut oil. Tap the pan against a hard surface to pop any air bubbles.

STEP 6: Bake at 350ºF for 35-40 minutes or until the top of the loaf is firm to the touch. Allow the loaf to cool in the pan.

How to Serve Gingerbread

Serve this gingerbread loaf much like you would serve banana bread or zucchini bread! It’s delicious with butter or melted coconut oil spread on top, topped with frosting (dreaming of a cream cheese frosting!) or even with some coconut whipped cream.

How to Store Leftovers

Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap or tinfoil and store at room temperature for up to 5 days. You could also freeze in a freezer safe container for longer storage.

Print

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Loaf

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  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 slices 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup sparking water*
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2/3 cup blackstrap molasses
  • 1 1/2 cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp dried ginger
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup applesauce
  • 1 T freshly grated ginger
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Grease an 8 X 4 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray or coconut oil.
  3. Bring the diet drink to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda (mixture will foam up).
  5. When foaming subsides, stir in molasses and coconut palm sugar. Set mixture aside.
  6. Whisk the flour, ground ginger, baking powder, pepper and salt together in a large bowl.
  7. Transfer the diet drink-molasses mixture to a large bowl. Whisk in the eggs, applesauce, and grated ginger until combined.
  8. Whisk the wet mixture into the flour mixture in thirds, stirring continuously until completely smooth.
  9. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and gently tap the bottom of the pan against a hard surface to pop any air bubbles.
  10. Bake until the top of the loaf is just firm to the touch, about 35-40 minutes.
  11. Leave loaf in pan until cool, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from pan.
  12. Store leftovers in plastic wrap or tinfoil at room temperature for 3-5 days.

*the recipe originally used diet Dr. Pepper which is delicious but not the healthiest. Feel free to swap for pop or use sparking water!

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Loaf // thehealthymaven.com

More gingerbread recipes to try:

Meet the Maven

Hi! I'm Davida and welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm a wellness blogger, yoga teacher, certified herbalist, and green beauty lover.

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96 Comments

  1. Those are some awesome, thick slices! 🙂 I’ve made cake with soda before and it gave such a great texture/flavor. I bet it’s equally good in this gingerbread… bread? Haha. Double the bread, double the fun 😉

  2. Such a cool idea to use pop in this! It looks amazing.

    I’m getting better at letting baking be a relaxing activity for me… but in the past it has usually been a stressful activity for me since I’m such a perfectionist. 😛 Walking, hiking, funny movies, and getting coffee with friends are all my favourite therapies.

    1. I can definitely have my moments with baking but if I’m stress baking I try to follow a recipe so I don’t end up with a kitchen fail that makes everything worse!

  3. I love gingerbread anything, and this looks absolutely delicious! I’m also convinced that soda in baked goods is the greatest trick ever.

  4. Well, you’re awesome at writing inspiring posts and definitely baking delicious stuff! I love how baking gets to make me happy everytime too!

  5. I need some of your baking love. I’ve never been remotely good at baking – in fact, it seems to be getting worse.
    I’m very intrigued by this recipe – I’ve never seen Dr Pepper in something baked – umm…maybe you could come a little south and teach me to bake?!

  6. I LOVE baking and have to say I miss it since I haven’t been doing much during my Whole30. Actaully, haven’t done any! This recipe is so unique and looks amazing! I’ve never added soda to my baking before but have heard it’s good!

  7. I agree 200%! Baking and cooking alone is my therapy! I just love playing music, dancing and cooking all at the same time. : )

  8. I like to cook or bake while listening to Pandora and drinking red wine 🙂

  9. Procrastibake..is probably one of the best terms I have ever heard!! YES!! I am so with you.. I LOVE to bake, and I never really thought I would be good at it!! I love sharing my treats with others! Mainly so I don’t eat them all..but also just because I love to see people smile and it makes me feel damn good that I created something YUM!

    1. I know you’re my baker in crime. And damn am I happy you bake because you seriously come up with the best recipes!