Healthier Gingerbread

• nonstick canola oil cooking spray↗1
• all-purpose flour↗1 1⁄2 cups

  (spoon into cup, then level off)

• whole wheat flour↗1 cup

  (spoon into cup and level off)

• minced crystallized ginger (or more!)↗1 tablespoon
• ground cinnamon↗2 teaspoons
• baking soda↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• ground ginger↗1 teaspoon
• ground cloves↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄8 teaspoon
• hot water1 cup
• molasses↗1 cup
• packed dark brown sugar↗1⁄2 cup
• unsweetened applesauce↗1⁄2 cup
• egg↗1

  large

• canola oil↗2 tablespoons

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Because lowfat recipes are very sensitive, follow all the measuring and mixing instructions exactly, or you may get a heavy, dry result.

2. 2

   Measure flour by spooning it gently into the measuring cup, then leveling off.

3. 3

   Place oven rack at center position and preheat oven to 350°.

4. 4

   Spray 8 x 8" square nonstick baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

5. 5

   Combine flours, spices, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and stir lightly with a fork.

6. 6

   In another bowl, combine water, molasses, brown sugar, applesauce, egg and oil and beat with a mixer on high speed until mixture is frothy (about 2 minutes).

7. 7

   Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients.

8. 8

   Pour the wet into the dry and stir gently, just enough to moisten thoroughly.

9. 9

   Pour batter into prepared pan, level gently, and place in oven.

10. 10

    Bake 50 minutes or until the top springs back when touched gently and edges pull away from the sides of the pan.

11. 11

    Be careful not to overbake.

12. 12

    Serve warm or cold, plain, sprinkled with confectioner's sugar, or with the dessert sauce of your choice.

13. 13

    I like it best warm with some slightly runny fruit preserves on top.