10 Healthy Baking Ideas So You Can Have Your Cake And Eat It Too!
If you’re striving to make healthier choices, you know there’s nothing harder than when someone produces a plate of sugary, buttery, chocolatey brownies that you just can’t resist. Well, we’ve got a solution so that you can make your cake and eat it too without the fear of thousands of calories in a single bite. From brownies, to muffins to a little something savoury, here are 10 healthy baking ideas to try!
1. Almond Flour Brownies with Matcha Mint Frosting
Everyone loves a soft, warm brownie, but not everyone loves the amount of sugar and carbs found in them. This is one of our healthy baking ideas which uses almond flour for a gluten-free element and is also dairy-free, grain-free and is high in healthy fats! But just because these sweet treats won’t cause you to go into a sugar coma, does not mean they’re not delicious! With finger-licking matcha mint frosting smothered on top, you’ve got yourself a guilt-free, tasty dessert!
2. Almond Butter Oatmeal Choc Chip Cookie Bars
In this list, there had to be at least one chocolate chip cookie recipe, and boy have I got one for you! From blogger Ashley, author of blog Blissful Basil, this is the decadent and delicious cookie recipe that will gain you a whole new crowd of friends, but without the glutenous barrier. These cookie bars are packed full of fibre and whole grains, and are without refined sugar. So try one… or five!
3. Banana Choc Chip Muffins
Another of our healthy baking ideas is a classic; banana chocolate chip muffins. These babies are so delicious, so easy to make and only takes 30 minutes! The ingredients include bananas (obviously), coconut sugar, honey and Greek yoghurt, aka the key to fluffy muffins. These are perfect for a snack on the go, or a healthy breakfast treat to start your day off right!
4. Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread with Cashew Frosting
While this pumpkin bread definitely has fall vibes, it can be eaten any time you’re in the mood, so why not on your next day off? Made with both oat and almond flour, this recipe is gluten-free, dairy free and is sweetened naturally with honey and coconut sugar. And while the author of this recipe allows you to skip the frosting if you think you can go without it, she highly recommends you give it a go for extra flavour and texture.
5. Healthy Paleo Chocolate Cake
This is another of our healthy baking ideas that is especially great if you have a birthday party or event coming up where chocolate cake is required. However, what’s different about this paleo, gluten-free, decadent masterpiece is the ingredients, which include avocado and sweet potato. Now, putting veggies in a dessert seems pretty wild, but trust when I say it totally works! Not only does it create the thickness and fudginess we all crave in a chocolate cake, but you don’t actually taste the earthy flavours, just a whole mouthful of chocolatey goodness.
6. Banana Cinnamon Rolls
When it comes to cinnamon rolls, you find me one person who can resist these buns of the gods! The answer is, you can’t; which is where this recipe comes in handy to ward off the guilt after one roll. Made with cashew milk, coconut sugar and of course, bananas, this is one healthy bake that you can customise to make completely vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free!
7. Vegan Cinnamon and Choc Chunk Banana Bread
Even if you’re not vegan, this is definitely one of our healthy baking ideas you have to try! Cinnamon and chocolate chunk banana bread will soon become a household favourite, especially since it is totally plant based and contains no refined sugar, which makes this recipe perfect for breakfast, dessert, or anytime in between. The chunks of dark chocolate scattered throughout this tasty loaf makes this recipe so indulgent!
8. Baked Vegan Doughnuts with Maple Cinnamon and Cashew Frosting
Now this is a doughnut we can get excited about (not that we don’t already get excited about doughnuts)! Not only is this recipe for maple cinnamon doughnuts so incredibly delicious, but they are genuinely good for you, with healthy fats, proteins and vitamins. While the ingredients include the regular ‘healthy’ stuff like coconut oil, pumpkin and coconut sugar, they also include apple cider, which makes this recipe great for fall. Or, you know, just a regular Tuesday and some free time.
9. Chocolate and Walnut Vegan Challah
A challah is traditionally a Jewish twisted bread and has been a favourite amongst us bread-eaters for decades. But if you’re looking to lower the calorie intake or looking for vegan recipes, this one’s for you! This recipe is so mouthwatering and doesn’t contain a load of refined sugars and fats. Plus, it’s a very pretty addition to the dessert table!
10. Two-Ingredient Soft Pretzels
This last recipe moves away from the sweet and into the savoury, so everyone has something they can work with. Pretzels are an old time favourite, but eat too many and your gut will not be tipping its hat to you anytime soon. So try out these pretzels that only contain two ingredients for the dough; self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt. Paint some egg wash over them, add a sprinkle of salt and throw them in the oven. Soon, you’ll be devouring your homemade soft, chewy, salty pretzels that taste just as good, if not better, than the store bought ones!
