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Heavenly gingerbread with applesauce has a gorgeous crumb, made better for you with Mott’s® Applesauce instead of butter or oil. Grab a cup of coffee and indulge – with a quick bread you can feel good about!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Mott’s® Applesauce. All opinions are my own.

You guys, how have we made it together this long on MBA without someone asking me to post a traditional Gingerbread recipe?!

I’m of the opinion that gingerbread – true gingerbread, should be served warm. Piping hot, even. With a giant dollop of whipped cream, and maybe some salted caramel sauce drizzled on top because I’m ridiculous. But you know this. It’s why you love me, right?

Here’s the thing – when you swap in Mott’s® Applesauce for oil or butter in your favorite recipe, you leave room for the extra indulgence that a drizzle of salted caramel might provide.

Gingerbread Ingredients on My Baking Addiction It had been years since I’d had a deeply rich, molasses-heavy gingerbread. The other day, I walked past a display of seasonal breads at the grocery store, and I knew I could do better than that sad table of dry and unworthy-of-my-holiday-table quick breads.

This – this, friends, is better. Made lighter with the addition of Mott’s® Applesauce, the texture of these sweet little quick bread desserts is perfection. They’re made elegant by simply using a biscuit cutter to create rounds. Gingerbread with Mott’s® Applesauce is the way forward.

Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream, that ribbon of salted caramel I talked about earlier, and don’t forget the adorable little gingerbread man! He is absolutely necessary to make this picture perfect dessert complete.

Gingerbread Cake Recipe on My Baking AddictionDesserts like these aren’t hard to make, especially when you keep a big jar of Mott’s® Applesauce on hand for baking with. It’s quickly becoming a must-have item in my pantry, for making delicious, better-for-you treats that everyone loves.

There are lots of ways to bring a healthy twist to traditional family recipes. Mott’s® has started a fantastic Bake It Better with Mott’s® Pinterest board with all sorts of easy and approachable recipes for the holidays that are made better for you by subbing applesauce for butter or oil, plus plenty of baking tips and tricks. Make sure you check it out, there are so many great ideas!

So go ahead, make this moist, spicy gingerbread for your family this holiday. The only thing missing is a cup of really good coffee.

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Gingerbread

By: Jamie
No ratings yet
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 5 minutes
Total: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Heavenly gingerbread with applesauce has a gorgeous crumb, made better for you with Mott’s® Applesauce instead of butter or oil. Grab a cup of coffee and indulge – with a quick bread you can feel good about!

Ingredients

  • cup granulated sugar
  • cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • ¾ cup Mott’s Original Applesauce room temperature
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • ¾ cup molasses
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup hot water

Garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 9x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat sugars and butter for approximately 2 minutes. Add applesauce, egg and molasses and mix until fully incorporated.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the applesauce mixture and mix until just combined. Whisk in hot water. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
  • Bake gingerbread in preheated oven for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the gingerbread comes out clean.
  • Remove gingerbread from oven and cool completely.
  • If desired, serve topped with whipped cream, salted caramel sauce and/or festive sprinkles.

Giveaway Information: My Baking Addiction’s “Winter Holiday Giveaway” starts on Wednesday, December 3 at 9:00 p.m. EST and ends on Sunday, December 7 at 12:00 a.m. (EST), and is open to all My Baking Addiction readers, subscribers, and/or fans 18 years old and older in the continental U.S. No purchase required. One winner will be chosen randomly and announced soon after the ending date. You must leave your contact information to collect your prize. If a winner does not respond within 3 days, a new winner will be chosen. Allow 3-6 weeks for giveaway fulfillment.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Mott’s® Applesauce; however, the views and opinions expressed on My Baking Addiction are my own, and based upon my experiences with Mott’s® Applesauce products. Thank you for supporting Mott’s® Applesauce and the brands that continue to make My Baking Addiction possible.

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46 Comments

  1. Susan says:

    Cutest dessert, ever. Can’t stop looking at it! I’m in too!

    1. Jamie says:

      I am so glad to hear you like them, Susan! :)
      -Jamie

  2. Teri says:

    Perfect, fun and elegant <3
    Have a fabulous holiday!!! :)

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Teri! :)
      -Jamie

  3. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says:

    Love using applesauce in my baked goods! Gingerbread should definitely be served piping hot with some of that salted caramel sauce. Yes please!

    1. Jamie says:

      Salted caramel makes everything amazing! :)
      -Jamie

  4. Rob Long says:

    Oh my, I must try this recipe…looks absolutely awesome! Pinning!!

    However I am kinda sad that, being in New Brunswick, I can’t enter your contest :-(

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much for pinning, Rob! I really appreciate it! :)
      -Jamie

  5. Suzanne Deschane says:

    I Love Gingerbread-cant wait to make this on Saturday when the girls & hubby come back from getting the Christmas tree

    1. Jamie says:

      I hope you love it as much as we did! Thanks so much for stopping by!
      -Jamie

  6. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says:

    These are adorable . . love!!

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much, Alice! I’m kinda in love with them too!
      -Jamie

  7. Lisa@Cluttercafe says:

    Those are so adorable and look delicious! Thanks for the giveaway. Happy holidays!

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks, Lisa! I appreciate you stopping by!
      -Jamie

  8. Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says:

    Salted caramel with gingerbread? Sign me up!

    1. Jamie says:

      Salted caramel makes everything better! Thanks for stopping by, Jen!
      -Jamie

  9. Karina says:

    Super cute and so beautiful! My kids would love these! Thank you Jamie Xx

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much, Karina! I really appreciate you stopping by to visit and taking the time to comment. :)
      -Jamie

  10. Mary @ bakemeascone says:

    Your presentation is adorable! What a delightful dessert. I love Mott’s applesauce, and this is the perfect way to put that half-empty jar to use!

    1. Jamie says:

      Thanks so much, Mary! I appreciate you visiting and taking the time to comment!
      -Jamie