Ingredients:

  • 250g All-Purpose Flour
  • 150g Coconut Sugar or Dark Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
  • 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cardamom
  • 120ml Grapeseed or Avocado Oil
  • 120g Plain Greek Yogurt (Full fat or 2%)
  • 120g Unsweetened Applesauce
  • 2 Large Eggs (Room temperature)
  • 1 tbsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven. Set your rack to the middle position and heat to 350°F (175°C) to ensure an immediate rise when the pan enters.
  2. Prep pan. Grease an 8 inch square or 9 inch round pan with oil and dust with a light coating of flour until the surface is completely matte.
  3. Whisk drys. Combine the 250g flour, sugar, leaveners, salt, and all spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom) until the color is a uniform sandy brown.
  4. Mix wets. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the 120ml oil, 120g yogurt, 120g applesauce, 2 eggs, and 1 tbsp vanilla until the mixture is glossy and smooth.
  5. Combine ingredients. Pour the wet mixture into the dry base and use a spatula to fold gently until no white streaks remain.
  6. Transfer batter. Pour the thick, fragrant batter into the prepared pan and tap it twice on the counter to release trapped air bubbles.
  7. Bake cake. Place in the oven for 35 minutes until a wooden skewer comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Internal check. For precision, use a digital thermometer to confirm the center has reached 205°F (96°C).
  9. Cooling phase. Let the cake sit in the pan for 10 minutes until the edges slightly pull away from the sides.
  10. Final rest. Turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely before applying any frosting or glaze.