4.9 from 51 votes
Healthy Gingerbread Loaf
This Healthy Gingerbread Loaf blends all-purpose and whole wheat pastry flours with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, sweetened by applesauce, maple syrup, and molasses for depth. The loaf is moist and tender, baked until golden and topped with a creamy maple cream cheese frosting that balances the spices with a smooth sweetness. It’s a homey treat that highlights cozy flavors without heavy sweetness.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings:
9
Calories:
217 kcal
Course:
Breakfast, Baked Goods
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cloves ground
- ½ cup applesauce
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup blackstrap molasses
- 2 large egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup almond milk any milk will work, unsweetened
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3 Tablespoons butter softened, unsalted
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9″x5″ loaf pan or line with parchment.
- In a medium bowl, stir together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger and cloves.
- In a large bowl, whisk together applesauce, maple syrup, molasses, eggs, vanilla and milk until combined.
- Add dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir together until just combined (don’t over mix).
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. If you notice the top is browning quickly, cover it with tin foil to prevent burning.
- Let loaf cool for 15-20 minutes before removing from pan and frosting.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or a regular bowl if using a hand mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and maple syrup. Whisk until smooth and fluffy. Spread over gingerbread loaf and serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use a flaxseed egg and vegan cream cheese and butter to make this loaf vegan.
- All-purpose and whole wheat pastry flours can be replaced 1:1 with a gluten-free blend, though it has not been tested.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted loaf for up to 3 months and add frosting after thawing.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1slice
Calories
217kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
52mg
(17%)
Sodium
403mg
(17%)
Potassium
327mg
(7%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 9 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 217
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 217kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 52mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 403mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 327mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.