This simple cake makes an elegant finish to a sit-down dinner, but it also holds up well for a brown-bag lunch.

Either way, this winning cake has plenty of rich taste without a lot of fat or calories.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup unbleached or all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of cayenne
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.

2. Sift the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, nutmeg, and cayenne into a large bowl. Set aside.

3. In another bowl, blend the eggs, buttermilk, maple syrup, oil, and molasses.

4. Make a well in the dry mixture and stir in the egg mixture, just until smooth; do not beat. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan.

Serves 9 - 12.