Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan, and line with parchment paper. Set aside.

Step 2

In a small bowl, stir together the candied or crystallized ginger with 1 tablespoon of the all-purpose flour. This will prevent the ginger pieces from sticking together and help keep them from all sinking to the bottom of the cake.

Step 3

In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, applesauce, sugar, and eggs until light and creamy. Add the molasses and buttermilk.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and stir until just combined. Fold in the ginger pieces.

Step 5

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Baked for 25-35 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with only a few crumbs clinging to it.

Step 6

Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan. Using the parchment as a sling, remove the cake from the pan and cut into pieces. Serve dusted with powdered sugar or with lightly-sweetened whipped cream.