Soft, moist, and fluffy, this healthy maple gingerbread loaf is a holiday favorite. Made with white whole wheat flour, applesauce, molasses and warming spices, it’s ideal for breakfast, snack time, or an easy dessert. Dairy-free and soy-free.

Welcome to the season of cozy flavors. With Thanksgiving behind us, the house fills with holiday decorations and baking smells — a perfect time to share this healthy maple gingerbread loaf. It’s tender, lightly spiced, and has a subtle molasses undertone that tastes like Christmas in loaf form.

Soft. Fluffy. Moist. The loaf stays tender thanks to white whole wheat flour and unsweetened applesauce, while maple syrup and a bit of molasses provide natural sweetness and that classic gingerbread depth without overpowering heat.

This is a loaf you can enjoy any time of day. A slice for breakfast — especially with a smear of almond butter — feels perfectly reasonable. For a simple dessert, warm a slice and drizzle with a little extra maple syrup or honey. Pair with a cup of tea or coffee for a truly comforting bite.

Tips & Tricks for the Maple Gingerbread Loaf

Oven temps vary — 50–60 minutes worked well here, but start checking around 50 minutes. A toothpick or cake tester should come out clean when the loaf is done.
Use white whole wheat flour rather than regular whole wheat for a lighter, more tender crumb.
A 9×5 inch loaf pan produces the best rise and texture for this recipe.
Sparking or turbinado sugar on top is optional but adds a pleasant crunch and sparkle to the crust.

Other Quick Breads You Might Enjoy

Pear Bread with Oatmeal Streusel
Healthy Spiced Sweet Potato Bread
Olive Oil Banana Bread
Chocolate Sweet Potato Bread
Pumpkin Olive Oil Bread
Mango Coconut Bread
Dairy-Free Zucchini Bread

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Healthy Maple Gingerbread Loaf

Yield:
1 (9×5 inch) loaf

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
50 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 5 minutes

Soft, moist and fluffy, this healthy maple gingerbread loaf is a holiday season staple! Packed with whole wheat flour, applesauce, molasses and warm spices, it’s perfect for snacking or dessert. Dairy free and soy free.

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups white whole wheat flour
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ cup grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil*
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
¼ cup unsulfured molasses (not blackstrap)
Sparkling or turbinado sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Additional maple syrup or honey, for serving

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda and sea salt.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, eggs, vanilla, oil, maple syrup and molasses until well combined.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with sparkling or turbinado sugar if desired.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool at least 15 minutes before slicing.
Serve slices with an extra drizzle of maple syrup or honey, or spread with almond butter for a hearty breakfast.

Notes

*If using coconut oil, melt it before measuring to avoid using too much. Also bring other ingredients to room temperature before combining; if the applesauce or other ingredients are cold, the coconut oil can solidify.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 209
Total Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 37mg
Sodium: 219mg
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 11g
Protein: 4g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.