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Who doesn’t love a good loaf of sweet bread in the morning? This Apple Gingerbread Loaf is as wholesome as it is delicious, and it’s perfectly spiced with the same ingredients that make gingerbread such a tasty holiday treat. It’s also got a little bit of sweetness from the apple in the dough, but as they say this one’s “not too sweet” which makes it perfect for breakfast or anytime of day.
As usual I’m using metal bulldog clips (also known as binder clips) to secure the parchment paper while the dough is scooped into the loaf pan. Just make sure to remove the clips before baking.
I find that parchment paper is the secret to getting these soft breads out of the pan without any fuss at all.
The dough for this bread is made with lots of yummy spices, including ginger and cinnamon. There’s also some applesauce in this recipe, too, for sweetness and to keep things moist during baking.
To give just a little more sweet flavor you can add a bit of turbinado sugar on top which you can see in the photo below. You could also use a bit of brown sugar if you wanted to. Since there isn’t a ton of sugar in the dough this gives just a hint of sweetness. There’s some molasses for an extra dark color and rich flavor, but it’s not enough to push this into the realm of sugary. It’s just right.
I can also tell you that this was the most amazing smell while it was baking. The house smelled good all day! And, it was a lot easier than getting out the rolling pin and mat and cutting shapes for gingerbread would have been. If you’re craving a festive treat, but don’t feel like going through a heap of effort then this is the bread for you.
I sliced this bread for breakfast and topped it with some apple butter for maximum apple flavor. It’s the perfect way to start the day. It’s also a great snack for the afternoon or anytime you’re feeling peckish.
And it probably goes without saying that this pairs well with hot drinks, especially when the weather is chilly.
For a bit of fun this Apple Gingerbread Loaf is an easy and healthy way to satisfy your gingerbread craving.
Apple Gingerbread Loaf
Yield(s): Makes 8-10 slices
1h 35m prep time
55m cook time
30m inactive
205 calories
Diet: Vegetarian
you're making mealtime meaningful.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350˚F. In large bowl combine molasses, maple syrup, applesauce, egg, coconut oil and milk until smooth. In another bowl combine remaining ingredients. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet, stirring in between each addition.
- Pour batter into a greased and lined 8”x5” loaf pan. Optional: sprinkle with 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean and top is lightly browned.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing. Serve with butter, apple butter, or jam of your choice.
Recipe adapted from The Clean Eating Couple.