Ingredients
- 180 g whole-wheat flour
- 80 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 160 ml pure Québec maple syrup
- 120 ml unsweetened applesauce
- 60 ml plain yogurt
- 60 ml canola oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
Method
- Heat the oven to 175 °C and line a 20 cm square pan.
- Whisk the flours, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Beat eggs, maple syrup, applesauce, yogurt, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture, spread in the pan, and bake 30–35 minutes.
- Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Conversion and rationale
Original sweetener (classic version): 200 g granulated sugar
Conversion used: Replace the sugar with 160 ml maple syrup; reduce the original milk or other liquid by 60 ml and lower the oven by 15 °C.
Why Quebec maple syrup: Unsweetened applesauce supplies moisture and fruit flavor, allowing less oil and no frosting. Maple adds depth and a distinctly Québec ingredient with a smaller refined-sugar footprint.
General rule: 1 cup (250 ml) sugar ≈ 3/4 cup (180 ml) maple syrup; reduce liquids by 45–60 ml per cup of syrup and lower oven by 15 °C. Substitution calculator →