Lightened Up Gingerbread Cake

Indulge in the warm and cozy flavors of the holiday season guilt-free with this Lightened Up Gingerbread Cake! Crafted with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat pastry flour, unsweetened applesauce, and nonfat Greek yogurt, this cake is a healthier twist on the classic treat without sacrificing its rich spiced flavor. Sweetened naturally with molasses and maple syrup, every bite delivers the perfect balance of warmth from cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a simple one-bowl method, this guilt-free dessert comes together effortlessly. Perfect for festive gatherings or a weeknight treat, serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of decadence. Savor the lighter side of holiday baking with this moist and flavorful gingerbread delight!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 9

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened applesauce
• 0.5 cup Molasses
• 0.25 cup Maple syrup
• 1 Large egg
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup Nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 0.5 cup Low-fat milk (or plant-based milk)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easier removal of the cake later.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt until well-combined. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, molasses, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 4

Add the Greek yogurt and milk to the wet mixture, and stir until fully incorporated.

Step 5

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense.

Step 6

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 8

Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Step 9

Optionally, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream or Greek yogurt for extra flair.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(831.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1573.7

Total Fat 10.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 197.1mg	0%
Sodium 2678.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 339.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.6g	0%
Total Sugars 195.7g
Protein 49.2g	0%

Vitamin D 101IU	0%
Calcium 749.3mg	0%
Iron 15.7mg	0%
Potassium 3611.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 5.9%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 82.2%