Step 1

Turn your oven on and preheat to 340°F. Take a 9x5” loaf tin and line it with baking paper.

Step 2

In a large bowl, add the sugar and butter. Beat vigorously, by hand or with a mixer until pale golden and really light. Add the vanilla and the egg and continue to mix until fully incorporated.

Step 3

Add the flour, the baking powder, and your dried spices. Continue to beat together until you have a really smooth batter with no lumps.

Step 4

Pour the entire mixture into your pre-lined loaf tin. Place in the oven and bake for around 50 minutes. Feel free to make the frosting while the cake is baking. To check if your cake is cooked, insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the cake. If your pick comes out clean, then the cake is cooked through.

Step 5

Remove the cake and leave it on a wire rack until it is cooled completely.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, add your cream cheese, vanilla, and powder sugar. Using a fork or spoon, beat vigorously until the ingredients are well mixed. Give it a little taste and add more powder sugar if you prefer it sweeter.

Step 7

Using a spatula (or damp spoon), apply lashings of frosting to your now cooled gingerbread loaf. As a final flourish, sprinkle with chopped walnuts before cutting into thick slices.

Step 8

Enjoy!