The perfect healthy gingerbread recipe that does not taste even the slightest bit healthy!
This healthy gingerbread has three secret ingredients.
The cake turns out soft and incredibly moist, with the same deeply rich flavor as traditional gingerbread laden with eggs and butter and sugar…
Yet this is probably the healthiest gingerbread recipe you’ll ever eat!
It is especially delicious with Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting on top.
The Secret Ingredients:
The gingerbread recipe is sweetened with blackstrap molasses – a sweetener that is actually good for you! Unlike regular white sugar, blackstrap molasses is a great source of calcium and iron (20% RDA of each in just one tablespoon!), copper, manganese, magnesium, and potassium.
The recipe also employs Omega-3-rich flaxmeal instead of eggs, allowing this gingerbread to be completely cholesterol-free.
And the final secret healthy ingredient in this gingerbread recipe is…
Carrot Juice.
Did you see that one coming?!
I added the carrot juice in a spell of creativity, believing the sweet and earthy flavor of the carrots would complement both the cinnamon and molasses in the gingerbread.
The carrot juice also adds moisture to the recipe, which keeps the fat content low without sacrificing richness.
Healthy Gingerbread Recipe
Healthy Gingerbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup milk of choice
- 1/4 cup molasses (blackstrap or regular) (50g)
- 1/4 cup liquid sweetener, such as pure maple syrup (60g)
- 1/3 cup carrot juice (80g)
- 1 tbsp white or apple cider vinegar (15g)
- 2 tbsp vegetable or melted coconut oil (20g)
- 2 tbsp ground flaxmeal (12g) (or 2 tsp energ)
- 1 cup ww pastry, white, spelt or bob's gf flour (120g)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp each powdered ginger and cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/4 cup xylitol or brown sugar (45g)
- 1/2 cup raisins, optional
Instructions
Gingerbread Recipe: Preheat oven to 400 F and grease an 8×8 pan. In a large measuring bowl, whisk together the first seven ingredients (all liquid ingredients and the flax). Let sit at least 5 minutes. In a separate measuring bowl, stir together all remaining ingredients. Pour wet into dry, and stir until just evenly combined. Do not overmix. Pour into the pan and bake 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and let sit another 20 minutes to cool and achieve the correct texture. If desired, frost with my homemade cream cheese icing recipe linked below the second photo in this post.
Link Of The Day:
Hmm… I LOVE me some gingerbread. The only problem is, I’ve been trying to drop a couple of pounds. This time of year KILLS me as I have an incredibly large sweet tooth. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this recipe of a healthy version… I will certainly make use of this! (Minus the raisins though! 😉 I’m off to grab my carrots and my juicer!
Now I want carrot cake. 😐
https://lett-trim.today/?s=carrot+cake 🙂
Hi,
I just read your recipe and I’d love to make this gingerbread! I’ve been looking for such a “dark and moist” gingerbread for a loooong time! The problem is I am french so I don’t understand everything well….
Is “flaxmeal” some kind of flour made of flaxseed? I know flaxseed meal but I think I’ve never seen flaxmeal anywhere.
What is “allspice”? A special mix of spices for gingerbread? (We can find something called “4 épices (4 spices)” in France).
Many thanks for your answers! 🙂
Hi Lu,
Flaxmeal is flaxseed (also known as linseed) ground down into a powder (I like to use a coffee grinder for mine!)
Allspice is a spice in its own right, coming from one plant. I think it is what is known as le piment de la Jamique in France.
Hope this helps! 😀
Many thanks!
I’ll test this ASAP!
Hi,
I’m sorry to disturb again, but I’m searching for equivalences on the internet…for flour, they say 1 cup = 140g, you say 120g, should I put 120g as you say? 🙂
And as concerns milk, can you help me? They say 160ml but I’m not so sure ^^ If you could tell me in grams or ml?
Many many thanks!
It depends on if it’s packed or not packed… I wish everyone used food scales, as it would make things a whole lot easier. So yes, 120g. Always go with the gram measurements if they are included. Same with the milk. Go with the grams listed.
Normally flaxseed meal is found in the same aisle as flour often on the top shelf in a box. It can be used as an egg or oil replacement. I am not sure of the substitute measurements, however. Hubby sprinkles it on PB sandwiches, it can go on salads, cereals, breads, cakes, smoothies, just about anything. Flax has omegs 3’s so I buy several boxes and put them in the freezer. The meal itself does not freeze and is usable right out of the freezer. Freezer storage keeps it fresh.
Looks too good to be true! Thanks for the recipe!
Oh my gosh, I am seriously drooling! I was just thinking that I need to look for a vegan gingerbread recipe… the search is over!
This looks seriously amazing! I have been wanting to make a healthy gingerbread for a while, and this looks like the perfect recipe!
Brown sugar, maple syrup and wheat flour…healthy???
i luv it!
This is pure genius! Definitely going to be part of the Christmas Dinner Extravaganza.
I made this this afternoon and it was really yummy. Bolthouse Farms has 100% carrot juice. It was $2.39 for 15 ozs. Since I will definitely be making this again, I am going to freeze the carrot juice. The cake was moist and flavorful. I prepared the recipe exactly as written and loved it! Didn’t put any glaze or topping on it, just to save calories. Thanks Katie for another great recipe!
Carrot juice- what a great idea! An excellent way to slip some extra vitamins into your cake. Moisture is a must in gingerbread cakes and it looks like you accomplished that feat.
I just made this with homemade carrot juice and followed the recipe exactly except I added nutmeg and a lemon cream cheese glaze (and no raisins)! Soooooooo moist and delicious! This was my first time making gingerbread and I’m so happy I used your recipe, thanks Katie!
Wow, just made the gingerbread and it is so easy and delicious. Making again for Christmas. Thank you.
Used buckwheat flour and a little xanthan gum to make gluten free. Worked great and is delicious!
These look and sound amazing, yum!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
I read your intro too quickly and I thought this gingerbread could be made with *ONLY* three ingredients. I was very excited to see how you could make a cake with three things!! The actual recipe looks pretty delicious too. 🙂