Grandma’s Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Sauce & English Cream

A Little Background Info

In 1988 Michael’s grandfather, Robert Frost, found himself needing bypass surgery. Fear of losing her husband, Michael’s Grandmother, Margaret Hidalgo Frost, completely changed her husband’s way of eating by changing the way she cooked. Per the Doctor’s and The American Heart Association’s recommendation, Margaret followed a low fat, low cholesterol diet. Robert now was eating less red meat, more fish and chicken with the skin removed, and low fat milk.

When writing this post, I hesitated to label her recipes as “heart healthy”, even though her self titled cookbook is called Heart Smart Cuisine. Mainly because the idea of healthy seems so subjective. Desperately trying to avoid a great debate as to whether a recipe is “heart healthy”, I decide to honor her memory and efforts and label her recipe as what she saw them as. In my personal opinion, I think it is fair to label her recipe’s a “heart healthy”. Not because my opinion is based on scientific facts and years of research but because of one man and one woman. This is the facts as I know them… Grandpa had a heart attack. Grandma made him change his way of eating. Grandpa never had heart surgery again even though doctors seem to suspect he would eventually need surgery again at some point. Grandpa died in January of 2025. He lived to be 99 years old and continued to follow the diet his wife instilled in him years ago, until his dying day.

With That Being Said…

There’s nothing quite like the warm, spiced aroma of heart-healthy gingerbread cake baking in the kitchen. This recipe is a delightful twist on a classic, made with wholesome ingredients that bring comfort without the guilt. 🍂✨

Moist, flavorful, and rich in warm spices, this heart-healthy gingerbread cake pairs beautifully with a homemade lemon sauce or English cream, making it perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dessert at home. Whether you’re looking for a lighter treat or simply love nostalgic, spiced cakes, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.

Let’s get baking! 👩‍🍳

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Why You’ll Love This Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

✔️ Heart-healthy ingredients – Made with applesauce, egg substitute, and fat-free buttermilk for a lighter touch.
✔️ Warm & spiced – The perfect balance of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice.
✔️ Multiple serving options – Enjoy it plain, with lemon sauce, or as a cream-filled Bundt cake!

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🛠️ Equipment You’ll Need for Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer
• 9×13-inch baking pan (or tube pan for the variation)
• Whisk
• Saucepan for the lemon sauce and English cream

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📋 Ingredients for Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

For the Gingerbread Cake:

• 1 ¼ cups self-rising flour
• 1 ¼ cups reduced-fat Bisquick
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ cup molasses
• ¼ cup applesauce
• ¼ cup canola oil
• ¼ cup egg substitute (such as Egg Beaters)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp allspice
• 1 ⅓ cups fat-free buttermilk
• 2 tsp vanilla

For the Lemon Sauce: 🍋

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup bottled apple juice
• 1 tbsp egg substitute
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 3 tbsp lemon juice

For the English Cream:

• ¾ cup egg substitute
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 cups fat-free half and half
• 1 tbsp bourbon (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Filling (for the Bundt Cake Variation):

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• ⅓ cup flour
• ¼ cup egg substitute

For the Lemon Glaze:

• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar

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🥣 How to Make Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

1️⃣ Bake the Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine self-rising flour, Bisquick, and baking soda.
3. Add molasses, applesauce, canola oil, egg substitute, sugar, spices, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat until the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour the batter into a 9×13-inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick baking spray.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Serving Tip: Enjoy warm with lemon sauce or English cream!

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🍋 How to Make Lemon Sauce for Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

1. In a saucepan, whisk together sugar and cornstarch.
2. Gradually add apple juice, stirring until smooth.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5. Stir in egg substitute, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
6. Return to heat and cook to the desired consistency.

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🥛 How to Make English Cream for Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

1. In a bowl, whisk together egg substitute and sugar. Set aside.
2. Warm 2 cups fat-free half and half over low heat until it simmers.
3. Remove 1 cup of the warm cream and slowly whisk it into the egg mixture.
4. Combine with the remaining cream in the saucepan.
5. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
6. Remove from heat and stir in bourbon (optional).

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🎂 Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

For a special occasion, try making a cream-filled gingerbread cake!

1. Spray a tube pan with nonstick spray.
2. Prepare the cream cheese filling by whisking all ingredients together over medium heat until thickened. Let cool.
3. Pour half of the gingerbread batter into the tube pan.
4. Spoon the cream cheese filling into the center, keeping it ½ inch from the edges.
5. Top with the remaining batter.
6. Bake at 350°F for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. While the cake is warm, drizzle with lemon glaze.

Serve with English cream on the side for a truly decadent experience! 😋

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❄️ Storage Tips for Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

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🙋 FAQs About Heart-Healthy Gingerbread Cake

Can I use regular eggs instead of egg substitute?
Yes! Substitute ¼ cup egg substitute with 1 whole egg in the cake batter.

What can I use instead of molasses?
Try using maple syrup or honey, but note that the flavor will change slightly.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the self-rising flour and Bisquick for gluten-free alternatives and add 1 tsp baking powder.

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🍽️ You May Also Like

• Classic Southern Buttermilk Pie
• Old-Fashioned Apple Spice Cake
• Warm Spiced Pumpkin Bread

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Final Thoughts 💭

Grandma’s heart-healthy gingerbread cake is a nostalgic treat with a modern, lighter twist. Whether you enjoy it plain, with lemon sauce, or transformed into a cream-filled Bundt cake, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Have you tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments! 💬👇

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