Healthy Baking Recipes

We’d love to live in a world where baked goods were as healthy as fruit and vegetables, but the amount of sugar and fat means cakes and cookies aren’t that nutritious. However, there are ways to add or substitute some ingredients to make some healthy baking recipes. You can add wholemeal flour as a healthy flour substitute and use honey, maple syrup or agave syrup as healthy sugar alternatives for baking, for instance.

In this article, we’ll be sharing some healthy cake recipes and a healthy cookie recipe. Each one is a vegetarian baking recipe and we’ve provided guidance so you can easily turn them into vegan baking recipes. They’re also super easy, so first-time bakers will love these and they’re perfect for some healthy baking with kids

Vegan brownies recipe

This brownie recipe doesn’t use dairy or eggs, so they’re ideal for those following a vegan or dairy-free diet. You can make healthier brownies by substituting the oil for coconut oil (which is considered a superfood) and taking out some of the sugar from the recipe. Using dark chocolate to make them vegan also makes them a bit healthier as dark chocolate contains less sugar and is packed with antioxidants and minerals.

You can also customise this recipe by adding crushed hazelnuts or walnuts to add extra crunch to the spongey texture.

Time

10 mins prep

20 mins baking

Makes 12 brownies

 

Ingredients

  • 210g dairy-free dark chocolate
  • 170g self-raising flour
  • 3 teaspoons cocoa powder
  • 120g caster sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 50ml sunflower or vegetable oil (or coconut oil alternative)
  • 230ml unsweetened soya, almond or oat milk

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/180ºFan/Gas 6.
  2. Line a square baking tin (approx. 20cm) with a little oil and then greaseproof paper.
  3. Break the chocolate into chunks and place in a heatproof bowl gently over simmering water. Make sure the base of the bowl isn’t touching the water. Once melted, turn off the heat, remove the bowl and let the chocolate cool.
  4. Sieve the flour and cocoa powder into a large bowl, then stir in the sugar and a pinch of salt. Mix in the oil, milk and chocolate and stir well.
  5. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 20 minutes. The brownies should still be gooey on the inside.
  6. Once cooled, enjoy!

Healthy cookie recipe

These banana and oat cookies are a great baking recipe for kids to get involved with as they can help out by peeling and mashing the bananas. These healthier cookies don’t use four, eggs or milk and you can make healthier cookies by adding currents, nuts and seeds into the recipe.

These banana and oat cookies are a great baking recipe for kids to get involved with as they can help out by peeling and mashing the bananas. These healthier cookies don’t use four, eggs or milk and you can make healthier cookies by adding currents, nuts and seeds into the recipe.

Time

10 mins prep

10 mins baking

Makes 6 cookies

 

Ingredients

1 banana

100g oats

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp coconut oil

50g chocolate chips

Pinch of salt

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/180ºFan/Gas 6.
  2. Peel and mash the banana with a fork.
  3. Add the oats, honey and coconut oil and mix well.
  4. Leave for 10 minutes.
  5. Add the chocolate chips and the pinch of salt.
  6. Roll the mixture into balls.
  7. Flatten onto a baking tray.
  8. Bake for 10 minutes.
  9. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top if desired and voila!

Healthy carrot muffins

As muffin recipes go, this is one of the healthiest. The carrots not only provide a nutritional element but add texture to the light and fluffy cakes. We’ve used margarine as a healthier butter alternative and added sultanas and nuts, too.

As muffin recipes go, this is one of the healthiest. The carrots not only provide a nutritional element but add texture to the light and fluffy cakes. We’ve used margarine as a healthier butter alternative and added sultanas and nuts, too.

Time

10 mins prep

20 mins baking

Makes 12 muffins

 

Ingredients

250g carrots

200g softened brown sugar

150g margarine

2 eggs

200g flour (use wholemeal flour as a healthier flour alternative)

1.5tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

120g sultanas (optional)

50g crushed pecan or hazelnuts (optional)

 

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/180ºFan/Gas 6.
  2. Melt the margarine in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
  3. Chop the ends away from the carrots, then peel and grate thinly.
  4. Mix the carrots, sugar and margarine in a bowl.
  5. Sift in the flour, cinnamon and baking powder.
  6. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add to the mixture.
  7. Mix in the nuts and sultanas.
  8. Line a muffin tray with 12 muffin cases and divide the mixture equally between them.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes.