Grandma Brend's Gingerbread

Now I must confess I hate traditional gingerbread - there's something about it that tends to be bitter. Now I know many confess to have the best, but this recipe from our now past favorite neighbor - is Scandinavian and hands down my favorite recipe for gingerbread.

3 1/2 cups flour (all purpose)
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
3/4 tsp cardamom

1/2 cup Earth Balance
3/4 cup sugar
3T apple sauce
3/4 cup corn syrup - you could try agave, but I don't think it has the necessary texture - a honey substitute could work
1 tsp orange zest

Whisk together in a mixing bowl all the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butter and sugar
add apple sauce blend further, then add syrup and zest. Ensure the zest is well distributed. Add the dry ingredients slowly, but making sure just to mix until combined. It will be a soft dough, place on plastic wrap and chill for as long as you can stand it.

Roll out thin, the dough is sticky, but be careful of the amount of flour you add now as it is a sensitive dough. Bake ON PARCHMENT at 350 until slightly browned around the edges. Ice or eat plain.