
I enjoy making Copycat recipes. And this Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf recipe is no exception.
This gingerbread loaf is very flavorful thanks to the spices used in this recipe. The addition of applesauce ensures that this loaf is nice and moist.

Copycat Rating
Since the goal of a Copycat Recipe is for it to taste exactly like the original, it’s only natural to rate this recipe against the original. This Copycat recipe rates a solid 8 out of 10 in my opinion.


For more delicious recipes like this one, make sure you check out my other Bread Recipes. My Cinnamon Bread is absolutely delicious and a family favorite.

Recipe Tip
While you can pretty much use any brand of cream cheese, I highly recommend you use Philadelphia brand cream cheese. You will taste the difference.

If you enjoy making copycat recipes like I do, make sure you check out my collection of Copycat Recipes. Our Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf is another great Starbucks recipe.
If you like the taste of gingerbread, you should try my Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting or my Gingerbread Cookies. Yummy!

Gather your Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this Copycat Gingerbread Loaf recipe from Starbucks (see recipe card for quantities): Unsalted Butter, White Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Eggs, Unsweetened Applesauce, All Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Salt, Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, Ground Nutmeg, Chopped Walnuts, Cream Cheese, Vanilla Extract and Powdered Sugar.
How to Make Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla, egg, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
- Stir in applesauce. Gradually add flour a little at a time until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Evenly spread into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the loaf pan for approximately 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack letting it cool completely before frosting.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Spread frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread loaf. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts if desired.
More Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe Card

Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf
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Ingredients
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 cup White Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Egg
- 1 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 ½ cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Ground Ginger, ground
- 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon, ground
- ½ tsp Ground Nutmeg, ground
- ½ Tsp Ground Cloves
- Chopped Walnuts, for garnish
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla, egg, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
- Stir in applesauce. Gradually add flour a little at a time until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Evenly spread into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the loaf pan for approximately 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack letting it cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Spread frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread loaf. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts if desired.
Pretty sure you don’t want to use garlic cloves (if you can even find such a thing). Must be a typo under What Ingredients Do I Need?
You are correct. The recipe Card was correct (Ground Cloves not Garlic Cloves) but the narrative above had a typo. Thanks for pointing that out. I have corrected the typo.
This is so good. While I love a good gingerbread. The taste can sometimes be a little strong and a little goes a long way for me. What I like about this recipe is the mild flavor. The cream cheese frosting is a great combination. I could eat the whole loaf 😋