I can’t believe it’s December again already. What a weird year! This is the first Christmas I won’t be in Canada with my family. Moreover, with COVID restrictions still in place in the UK, and a new puppy, our celebrations with Lucy’s family will be different too. But, I’m trying to focus on the positives and make the most of the season – there’s a lot to be thankful for. One of my favourite Christmas traditions is baking (can you tell from my blog?!). I’m excited to share two gingerbread inspired holiday baking recipes with you in time for your Christmas baking, if you’re looking for inspiration.
The recipes I’ve created are Vegan Dark Treacle Ginger Cookies, and a Gingerbread Banana Loaf. Both gingerbread inspired recipes are rich in dark treacle and warming spice flavours, and are relatively healthy for Christmas baking. We don’t have molasses in the UK, so I used dark treacle, which is slightly different. If you’re in Canada or the US, use molasses as a substitute. Happy Christmas baking!

Want more inspiration for cookies and loafs? See: Winter Owl Sugar Cookies, Frosted Snowfall Gingerbread Cookies, and Cranberry and White Chocolate Pound Cake.
Vegan Dark Treacle Ginger Cookies
This first recipe is adapted from one by Making Thyme of Health. The original recipe calls for molasses, which as I mentioned above, we don’t have in the UK. Thus, I substituted dark treacle. The original was also gluten free, using almond and oat flour, which you can do if you want! With these finely ground flours, you will end up with a chewy cookie. I oped for wholewheat flour, and therefore my cookies are chunkier. They are delicious dunked in coffee!

Vegan Dark Treacle Ginger Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. Dark Treacle (or blackstrap molasses)
- 1 Tbsp. Non-dairy Milk
- ¼ Cup Coconut Oil Softened
- 1 Tsp. Vanilla
- ½ Cup Dark Brown Sugar (Muscovado)
- 1 Cup Plain Flour (can use Gluten Free, or Almond)
- 1 Cup Wholewheat Flour (can use Gluten Free, or Almond)
- 1 Tsp. Ground Ginger
- ½ Tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 Tsp. Baking Powder
- 1 Tsp. Baking Soda
- ¼ Tsp. Salt
- White Sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 176°C (350°F).
- Cream together the treacle, milk, coconut oil, and vanilla until well-incorporated. It is best to use an electric mixer.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix with your hands until you get a crumbly mixture.
- Using your hands, press the mixture together to create small tablespoon-sized balls. Roll the balls in white sugar and place on baking tray.
- Bake for 10 minutes. The cookies should seem under-cooked. If you bake them too long, they will go rock hard when cool!
- If your cookies didn't spread out, gently press them with the back of a spoon for a crinkled effect.
Gingerbread Banana Loaf
I was planning on making a standard banana bread to use up some of the many freezer bananas. But, I also wanted to bake something a bit festive. I decided to experiment with a few different recipes and came up with this gingerbread banana loaf.
If you’re looking for even more banana bread recipes, see: Chunky Monkey Banana Loaf Cake and Vegan Banana Bread 🍌


Gingerbread Banana Loaf
Ingredients
- 3 Medium Bananas ripe
- 1 Egg
- ⅙ Cup Neutral Oil
- ⅙ Cup Milk
- 1½ Tsp. Vanilla Extract
- ¼ Cup Dark Brown Sugar
- ¼ Cup Dark Treacle substitute molasses
- 2 Cups Plain Flour
- 1 Tsp. Baking Soda
- ¾ Tsp. Baking Powder
- 2½ Tsp. Cinnamon
- 2 Tsp. Ground Ginger
- ¼ Tsp. Ground Cloves
- ⅛ Tsp. Ground Nutmeg
- ¾ Tsp. Salt
- ½ Cup Raisins
- Demerara Sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C, and oil your loaf tin.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the wet ingredients and dark brown sugar.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients.
- Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
- Fold in the raisins, or nuts if desired.
- Sprinkle the top of the loaf with demerara sugar.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes. The loaf should be risen and set in the middle.
- Turn off the oven and leave the loaf inside for 10 minutes to cool.
Notes

Are you doing any holiday baking this year? If so, what’s your go-to festive baking recipe?