Traditional Gingerbread Loaf

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and dust with flour or line with parchment paper.

Step 2
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg together in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.

Step 3
Combine milk, brown sugar, molasses, oil, applesauce, and eggs in a large bowl; mix together until well blended. Stir into flour mixture until just blended. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Step 4
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 15 minutes. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature, or freeze.