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Indulge Guilt-Free This Season: Delicious Gingerbread Loaf Made with SPLENDA®
The holiday season is a magical time, filled with warmth, joy, and, of course, delicious treats. Nothing captures the essence of festive cheer quite like a classic Gingerbread Loaf. This year, we’re making it even better – a delightful Gingerbread Loaf crafted with the goodness of SPLENDA®. Imagine the intoxicating aroma of aromatic spices filling your kitchen, the smooth richness of nutmeg cream cheese frosting, and the delightful chewiness of candied ginger. This exquisite loaf pairs perfectly with a steaming hot cup of coffee, providing the ideal fuel to kickstart your holiday shopping spree, enliven your caroling sessions, or make gift wrapping a truly joyous occasion.
Navigating the Holiday Hustle: From Gift Wrapping to Guilt-Free Indulgence
As the holiday season unfolds, I find myself asking the same question in every blog post: “Have you started your preparations yet?” And this time is no exception. So, let me ask you: Have you begun your gift wrapping? I’ll be completely honest – I haven’t. And to be brutally frank, it’s easily my least favorite holiday task. My mother, on the other hand, possesses an extraordinary talent for it. Every single present she wraps is a work of art, expertly adorned with an adorable matching tag, perfectly curled ribbons, elegant bows, and sometimes even a touch of sparkle. Her gift-wrapping prowess truly puts all my haphazardly wrapped packages to shame.
My usual routine involves waiting until the day before Christmas Eve. I’ll barricade myself in my office, frantically tackling the piles of presents while sipping copious amounts of coffee and blasting festive tunes. I’m still not entirely sure what turns me into such a Scrooge when it comes to this particular process. Perhaps it’s the knowledge that my children will tear through those carefully chosen papers and ribbons in less than 36 hours, paying little to no attention to the outer presentation, their sole focus being the treasures hidden within. LOL, yes, that’s probably it. Yet, despite my aversion to the wrapping itself, one of my absolute favorite moments of the season is witnessing the pure delight on their faces. That look of unadulterated joy when they realize they’ve made the “nice list” this year and Santa has brought them exactly what they wished for makes all the effort worthwhile. These are the moments that truly define the holiday spirit, reminding us of the simple pleasures and heartwarming traditions.
The Sweet Temptation: Crafting Healthier Holiday Traditions with SPLENDA®
The holiday season, with its whirlwind of activities and endless to-do lists, is undeniably a busy time for everyone. In the rush, it’s all too easy to forget to eat properly (and yes, I often wonder how this happens!). When I’m out and about and hunger strikes, I often find myself instinctively reaching for convenient, albeit unhealthy, options – a candy bar, a slice of sugary loaf cake from a coffee shop, or even worse, a package of cookies that somehow ends up half-empty before I even realize it. I used to work at one of those very coffee shops, and while I absolutely adored their gingerbread loaf, I certainly didn’t love the excessive amounts of sugar, fat, and calories that came with just one slice. This realization sparked a mission within me: to find a delicious, healthier alternative that would allow me to savor the festive flavors of gingerbread at home without feeling a wave of guilt. During the holidays, sweets seem to be everywhere, and while I want to enjoy them, I certainly don’t want to fall into a sugar coma!
For years, I’ve been a steadfast fan of SPLENDA®. It’s my go-to “sweet swap” for replacing sugar in my coffee and countless recipes. I always keep a bag stocked at home, but recently, I noticed my supply was running critically low. So, I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart to replenish my essential holiday baking ingredients. The holiday aisle, bursting with festive decorations and seasonal treats, conveniently leads directly into the baking aisle. As I strolled through, my belly began to grumble, enticed by the sights and smells of peppermint, gingerbread, and chocolate – all looking utterly heavenly. It was right then that a brilliant idea struck me! I thought, “Why not replace the sugar in a classic gingerbread loaf recipe with SPLENDA®? This way, I can enjoy all the comforting sweetness and rich flavors without the extra calories and guilt.” With a renewed sense of purpose and a slight skip in my step, I confidently made my way to the baking aisle, eager to transform a beloved holiday treat into a healthier delight.
Once in the baking aisle, I easily located and grabbed a box of SPLENDA® Granulated No Calorie Sweetener. Excited to put my “Sweet Swaps™” idea to the test, I headed straight home, eager to see how my healthier Gingerbread Loaf would turn out. The anticipation of creating a delicious, guilt-free holiday treat was palpable.
Baking Brilliance: Crafting Your SPLENDA® Gingerbread Loaf
Upon arriving home, the first thing I did was gather all the necessary ingredients, laying them out meticulously on my kitchen counter. This ritual always signals the beginning of a delightful baking adventure, ensuring every component for my Gingerbread Loaf was at the ready.
I began by creaming together the SPLENDA® and softened butter in the bowl of my stand mixer until the mixture was wonderfully light and creamy. Next, I incorporated the remaining wet ingredients: the egg, applesauce, and a hint of vanilla, mixing until everything was smoothly combined. In a separate bowl, I whisked together the flours and a symphony of aromatic spices, ensuring they were thoroughly blended. Gradually, I added the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the mixer, carefully combining everything until a smooth, luscious batter formed, fragrant with the promise of gingerbread.
With the batter perfectly prepared, I poured it into a greased 9 x 5 x 2-inch loaf pan, ensuring it was evenly distributed. Then, it was off to the preheated 350-degree oven. The Gingerbread Loaf baked for approximately 40 minutes, filling my kitchen with an irresistible holiday aroma. To check for doneness, I inserted a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it came out perfectly clean, indicating it was ready. I allowed the freshly baked loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, giving it time to set, before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely to the touch.
The Perfect Topping: Nutmeg Cream Cheese Frosting with SPLENDA®
While the gingerbread loaf cooled, my attention turned to creating the crowning glory: a delectable nutmeg cream cheese frosting. To keep this topping in line with my “Sweet Swaps™” philosophy, I opted to make powdered sugar using SPLENDA®. I found an excellent recipe for SPLENDA® powdered sugar directly on their website, which you can locate here.
In my stand mixer, I placed the softened cream cheese and beat it until it was wonderfully light and fluffy. Then, I slowly incorporated the homemade SPLENDA® powdered sugar, ensuring it was fully blended before adding the vanilla and orange extracts. These extracts impart a subtle, delightful citrus note that perfectly complements the gingerbread spices.
Once the frosting achieved its perfect consistency – smooth, creamy, and irresistibly spreadable – I generously applied it all over the completely cooled gingerbread loaf. To finish, I sprinkled a delicate dusting of fresh nutmeg over the frosting and arranged pieces of candied ginger on top. The visual appeal was just as tempting as the aroma, promising a truly delightful experience.
Doesn’t that moist, aromatic gingerbread loaf just beckon you to sink your teeth into it? It’s truly a masterpiece of holiday baking! This loaf pairs absolutely perfectly with a hot cup of coffee, making it an ideal way to start your morning on a cozy note. It also serves as a delightful and satisfying afternoon snack, providing that comforting warmth without the heavy feeling. I was genuinely so pleasantly surprised at how wonderfully SPLENDA® sweetened this bread. The flavor was spot on, retaining all the beloved gingerbread taste, and the texture was impeccable. Knowing how many calories I saved by embracing the “Sweet Swaps™” idea made every bite even more enjoyable. It’s truly a testament to how easy and delicious healthier baking can be.
Gingerbread Loaf
Prep
Cook
Total
Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Yield 10
It’s the holiday season and nothing could be more festive than a classic Gingerbread Loaf made with SPLENDA®. Aromatic spices, nutmeg cream cheese frosting and candied ginger pair perfectly with a nice hot cup of coffee to jump start your holiday shopping, caroling or gift wrapping on a joyous note.
Ingredients
- 1 cup SPLENDA® Granulated No Calorie Sweetener
- 4 tablespoon butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cup All Natural Applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
- 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour Whole Wheat Flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces Neufchâtel cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup SPLENDA® powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 cup candied ginger, diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 x 5 x 2″ pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a mixer, add SPLENDA® and butter and cream together
- Add in applesauce, egg and orange extract.
- In a medium size bowl, mix together flours, spices, salt and baking soda.
- In stages, add your dry ingredients into your wet ingredients, in the mixing bowl.
- Mix together until well incorporated and pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 40 minutes and check with a toothpick to make sure it comes out clean. If not, return to oven and check for doneness every 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the gingerbread loaf is cooling, beat your cream cheese in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Slowly add in your *SPLENDA® powdered sugar and when incorporated, add in your extracts.
- Once the loaf is completely cooled, spread your cream cheese frosting on top and sprinkle on your nutmeg.
- Garnish the top with candied ginger.
Notes
*Recipe for SPLENDA® powdered sugar can be found here
Courses Bread
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 10
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 158 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 8 g | 12% | |
Saturated Fat 5 g | 25% | |
Cholesterol 41 mg | 14% | |
Sodium 417 mg | 17% | |
Total Carbohydrates 21 g | 7% | |
Dietary Fiber 2 g | 8% | |
Sugars 6 g | ||
Protein 4 g | 8% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Sweet Savings: Why SPLENDA® is Your Holiday Baking Secret Weapon
Here’s the truly amazing part: by using this SPLENDA® Sweet Swaps™ Recipe for Gingerbread Loaf, you save a remarkable 291 calories, 9 grams of fat, and a massive 48 grams of sugar per slice compared to the original recipe! That is an incredible saving, and the best part is, you don’t sacrifice a single bit of flavor or sweetness. This truly feels like a holiday miracle, allowing us to enjoy our favorite festive treats without the usual guilt or excessive sugar intake. It’s about making smarter choices that align with a healthier lifestyle, especially during a season often defined by indulgence. With SPLENDA®, you can enjoy all the warmth, spice, and sweetness of gingerbread, knowing you’re treating yourself wisely.
Explore the Versatility of SPLENDA® for All Your Sweet Swaps™
Ready to discover more ways to incorporate healthier “Sweet Swaps™” into your life? To explore the full range of SPLENDA® products and their incredible versatility, I highly recommend checking out the Wal-Mart brand page. They offer SPLENDA® in various convenient forms, including large bags perfect for baking, individual packets ideal for your morning coffee, and even minis – which are absolutely perfect for stashing in your purse for on-the-go sweetness. Plus, they now have a brown sugar blend, opening up even more possibilities for healthier baking and cooking!
For a wealth of additional inspiration and countless recipes, from delectable breakfast options to satisfying lunches, hearty dinners, indulgent desserts, and smart snack ideas, all featuring SPLENDA® Sweet Swaps™, be sure to visit this comprehensive page. You’ll find innovative ways to enjoy your favorite foods while managing your sugar intake, not just during the holidays, but throughout the entire year. It’s about making small, impactful changes that add up to a big difference in your overall well-being.
Connect with SPLENDA® and Share Your Sweet Swaps™!
Looking for even more creative recipes, invaluable tips, and clever tricks on how to effortlessly swap full sugar for SPLENDA® Sweetener Products? Whether you’re aiming to save calories this holiday season or looking for year-round healthy eating solutions, SPLENDA® offers fantastic resources. Check out their wonderful YouTube channel for video tutorials and inspiration, explore their visually appealing recipe boards on Pinterest, and join their vibrant community on Facebook. These platforms are brimming with delicious ideas to help you enjoy sweetness without compromise.
How do you plan to incorporate SPLENDA® into your holiday baking and cooking this season? I’m always eager to hear new ideas and gather inspiration from fellow home bakers. Please share your ingenious recipe ideas and “Sweet Swaps™” tips in the comments section below! Your insights could inspire others to embrace healthier, more mindful approaches to their holiday tables.
Enjoy every delightful bite of this Gingerbread Loaf, and if you make this recipe, I would absolutely love to see your creations! Please share a photo on social media and tag it with #strawberryblondiekitchen. I truly ♥ to see your unique versions and how you bring this recipe to life in your own kitchens. Happy Eating, and a very happy, healthy holiday season to all!