The Easiest Refined Sugar–Free Gingerbread

Why This Gingerbread Recipe Works

• Naturally sweetened with coconut sugar, molasses, and applesauce

• Coconut oil keeps the dough soft without making it greasy

• Balanced dry ingredients = dough that’s easy to handle

• No fridge time = less waiting, less mess, more fun

You mix, roll, cut, and bake — all in one go.

Ingredients (Small Batch – Yields about 1 baking sheet of gingerbread men cookies)

Wet Ingredients

• 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted

• 3 tbsp coconut sugar

• 3 tbsp molasses

• 2 tbsp applesauce

• 1 egg

Dry Ingredients

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp baking powder

How to Make It

1. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, molasses, and applesauce.
If the coconut oil starts to solidify, microwave the mixture for about 20 seconds, just until smooth again.

2. Add the Egg

Make sure the mixture is warm, not hot — then add the egg and mix well.
(If the mixture is too hot, it can scramble the egg.)

3. Add the Dry Ingredients

Sift together the flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
Add to the bowl and mix until a dough forms.

4. Knead & Roll

Use your hands to gently knead the dough until smooth.
Roll it out right away on a lightly floured surface — no chilling needed.

5. Cut & Bake

Cut into your favorite shapes and bake according to your preferred gingerbread timing (until set and lightly golden).

Tips for Success

• If the dough feels slightly soft, add a sprinkle of flour — it should feel smooth, not sticky

• Roll between parchment paper for extra-easy cleanup

• This dough holds detail beautifully for gingerbread people and houses

Perfect For:

• Gingerbread cookies

• Gingerbread houses

• Decorating with kids

• Stress-free holiday baking

This is the gingerbread recipe I come back to every year — reliable, forgiving, and actually fun to work with.