Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

Ingredients

• 11.25 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 large egg
• 2/3 cup molasses
• 1 (4-ounce) container unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through cloves) in a bowl, stirring well.
3. 3. Combine sugar, oil, and egg in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until combined. Stir in molasses and applesauce.
4. 4. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to egg mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon batter into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. 5. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Cut into squares.