The flavors and texture are reminiscent of traditional gingerbread, but with a healthy twist to make this quick bread practically guilt-free!
The exclamation of joy from the kitchen was all the validation I needed. I looked over and saw the expression on my eldest son's (M) face as he took his first bite of this gingerbread quick bread - eyes wide, then a slow smile spread across his face. To tell the truth, I wasn't sure how this bread was going to turn out, but M's reaction let me know I found the winning formula.
Jump directly to the recipe for Whole Wheat Gingerbread Quick Bread with Maple Glaze
This quick bread started the way most of my baking recipes do - with whole wheat pastry flour, which has all of the benefits of regular whole wheat, but a much lighter texture. When I first starting baking with whole grains, I used regular whole wheat flour, but that produced very dense baked goods. I switched over to a half-and-half mixture of whole wheat and all-purpose flours, but still wasn't happy with the texture (or the fact that I had to give up the extra dose of fiber). When I discovered whole wheat pastry flour, my baking problems were solved. For whole wheat muffins, quick breads and cookies, it can't be beat.
Capturing the gingerbread flavor in the bread was easy, following an age-old formula of adding molasses and various spices, such as ground ginger (of course!), cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. I know that ground cloves are more expensive than the rest of the spices, but I guarantee that even half of a teaspoon makes a difference to the flavor. Hopefully you'll want to make this quick bread more than once to get your money's worth!
As for the fats and sweeteners, I subbed maple syrup (the real stuff) for brown sugar or granulated sugar, and replaced butter with Greek yogurt and a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil. The texture? Tender and moist. The sweetness? Just right, particularly with a brush of maple syrup glaze on top of the bread.
Serve this up with Christmas breakfast or a cup of afternoon tea, or wrap it up to give away as a hostess gift. And hopefully your reaction will be the same as M's when you take the first bite!
Other recipes with ginger:
Cookin' Canuck's Whole Wheat Oat Gingerbread Pumpkin Pancakes
Cookin' Canuck's Crockpot Pear & Ginger Applesauce
Heavenly Healthy's Gingerbread Granola
The Full Helping's Ginger Pear Muesli Creamy Cashew Milk
Petite Canteen's Spicy Asian Turkey Salad with Almond Ginger Dressing
Whole Wheat Gingerbread Quick Bread with Maple Syrup Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup 1% low fat milk
- â…“ cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted & slightly cooled
The Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg. Add the yogurt, milk, maple syrup, molasses and coconut oil, and stir to combine.
- Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Check after 20 minutes. If the top of the bread is becoming to brown, cover with foil.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove and transfer to a rack.
- Brush the glaze on top of the bread. Let cool. Cut into ½-inch thick slices. Serve.
The Glaze:
- In a small bowl, stir together the maple syrup, cinnamon and ginger.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
This looks like the perfect "treat" for holiday baking that I don't have to feel quite as guilty about. Love!
Tonia from TheGunnySack
Wow! Everything about this is fantastic!
Kristyn
This sounds so yummy, and that glaze sounds simply heavenly! Thanks for sharing!
kk
I cannot eat dairy... Any ideas for substitutes?
Thanks!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
What a great idea! This quick bread sounds amazing, and that glaze on top is perfect!
Brielle @ Breezy Bakes
This looks absolutely delicious! And there is nothing better than approval from your family. Glad you found a whole grain flour that works so well. Score!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie
I need to make more quick breads! This looks delicious!
Lynn @Heavenlynn Healthy
What a yummy recipe. The bread must be the perfect addition to any Christmas feast!
Thank you for sharing my recipe, too, Dara.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
xx Lynn
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
This bread looks like it melts in your mouth! I need to make it!
Melanie | Melanie Makes
Love the syrup glaze you've added to this gingerbread, Dara!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
SIGN ME UP! I am all for some guilt free bread that looks that amazing! Can't stop drooling, seriously!