Gingerbread Loaves with Lemon Glaze

Ingredients

• 2 scant cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 10 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 tbs. baking soda
• 1 tsp. ground sea salt
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• (other spice options: nutmeg, allspice)
• 1 tsp. ground mustard
• 3 tablespoons fresh grated ginger soaked in 1-2 tablespoons hot water (or 3 tablespoons ginger paste such as Fresh Gourmet)
• juice of one lemon
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter with sugar. Add eggs and beat until fluffy – about 2 minutes.

2. 2

   Add all other ingredients (except lemon and powdered sugar) and mix until moistened.

3. 3

   Divide the batter evenly between two greased loaf pans and bake for about 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of pan, until golden brown and the tops spring back when touched.

4. 4

   After loaves have cooled completely, stir lemon juice with powdered sugar until a thick glaze forms. Spread over tops of loaves and allow to set.