Ginger Bread

Spicy, aromatic, warm gingerbread with a hot cup of tea...

What is it about fresh baked gingerbread that warms you from the inside out? Most people wait until winter holidays before they pull their gingerbread recipes out, but, I think its worth a nod year round. This bread isn't overly sweet, but with fresh, natural, and wholesome ingredients, it makes a yummy breakfast when paired with a hot beverage, or a nice after dinner sweet when paired with something lemon.

Gingered bread

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cloves

1/2 cup water

2 egg whites (1/2 cup egg substitute)

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup brown sugar (or agave)

1 apple, diced (or applesauce)

1/2 inch think piece fresh ginger, chopped (more if you love it)

preheat oven to 350

1. Stir together first six ingredients in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

2. Put water, egg whites, molasses, sugar, apple chunks, and ginger in a blender or food processor. Puree, increasing speed until high, until smooth, about a minute.

3. Pour wet mixture into dry, folding in gently. If adding crystalized ginger for extra punch, fold in now.

4. Pour batter in greased 8x8 pan. Also, you can use a loaf pan or two mini (6x2) cake rounds

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Makes 12 servings

per serving:

98 cal

2 g fiber

10 g sugar

*Serve with a drizzle of lemon glaze, lemon curd, lemon sorbet, vanilla ice cream, or sweetened yogurt and fresh berries.

• White whole wheat flour is both white and a whole wheat- it is not enriched, bleached, or brommated. This kind of flour is made from a different kind of wheat. Normal whole wheat flour is made from hard red winter wheat; this kind is made from white wheat grains. White whole wheat boasts the same nutrients as the other whole wheat, but has a lighter texture, less carbs, and more fiber, making it a great baking alternative.
• Molasses is a by-product of making refined sugar. Ever wonder where all the nutrients and minerals go when sugar cane is processed and refined into the white stuff? Molasses! It is high in iron, copper, manganese, potassium, and magnesium.
• Ginger has been used forever for its many health benefits, such as a cure for upset tummies and nausea (hello first trimester of pregnancy), a digestion aid, an immune system aid, and an anti-inflammatory.