Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

I got this recipe from my friend Karin. It is a delicious loaf that goes great with a cup of tea. The older I get the simpler I try to make the Christmas Season. I place more value in spending time with people I love than I do spending time in the kitchen trying to leave the stress and hustle and bustle behind me that can often come with this time of year. This loaf doesn't take much prep time leaving me more time for those who matter most to me.

Loaf:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 2 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350 ° F
2. In a separate bowl whisk together all the dry ingredients except the baking soda. 
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 
4. Add egg and beat. 
5. Add orange extract. 
6. Mix baking soda into applesauce, add to butter mixture and beat. 
7. Add flour mixture and stir just until smooth. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake 40-50 minutes or until browned at edges and a skewer comes out clean in the middle of the loaf. 
8. Cool 10 minutes in the pan and invert loaf onto rack to cool completely

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 2 1/2 cups icing sugar

1. Beat above ingredients and ice the gingerbread loaf.