Top 5 Must-Have Healthier Baking Ingredients, Says a Pro Baker

Eating well is one of the most important factors when it comes to health — but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy treats. The key to savoring cookies, brownies, and other sweets, while still feeling your best: Using healthier baking ingredients. 

We asked professional baker Addison LaBonte, owner of Sweet Addison’s healthy bakery and the Organically Addison blog, to share her favorite healthy baking ingredients, so you can add them to your cart and make better-for-you versions of your favorite delicious treats.

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You asked: What are healthier baking ingredients?

There are a few main things to keep in mind when looking for better-for-you baking ingredients:

• Avoid refined flours. Stick to whole grains as much as possible. If you’re gluten free or grains don’t agree with you, nut flours or alternatives like cassava flour are good options.
• Mind sugars. Though it’s a good idea to limit all sugars, some are less harmful than others. Unrefined sweeteners like coconut sugar and maple syrup contain trace minerals and sometimes can cause less of a blood sugar spike than refined sugar. Sweetening with fruit like dates or bananas means there’s fiber involved, which also helps. 
• Stir in healthy additions. Fruit, vegetables (like carrots and sweet potatoes), nuts, spices, and other good-for-you ingredients can sneak more nutrients into your treats.

Healthier baking ingredients list

Here are LaBonte’s top 5 favorites to stock in the kitchen:

• Almond flour. “Almond flour is my favorite gluten-free baking flour,” LaBonte says. “It’s made from only ground-up almonds, so I love that it isn’t overly processed and doesn’t contain added gums or fillers. Also, almond flour is naturally higher in protein than other flour, making it a great option for someone who’s active, like me.” It’s the first ingredient in Sweet Addison’s decadent Triple Chocolate Cookies and Lemon Cookies.
• Coconut sugar. “It’s the perfect sweetener for healthier baking,” LaBonte says. “It has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, and it gives a delicious caramel-like taste.  Personally, I love that it doesn’t spike my blood sugar and provides a more natural sweetness. I use coconut sugar in all of Sweet Addison’s products because it provides the perfect amount of sweetness.”
• Pure vanilla extract. Make sure the label indicates that it’s pure. “Imitation vanilla extract typically contains fake caramel color and other unrecognizable ingredients,” LaBonte warns. “For the most pure and authentic taste, I highly recommend baking with the real deal — you can really taste the difference.”
• Coconut oil. “It’s a staple in my baking because it provides a moist texture, it’s rich in healthy fats, and has a subtle coconut flavor,” LaBonte says. “It’s a great dairy-free replacement for butter. For a more neutral flavor, use refined coconut oil; for a slight coconut flavor, use unrefined. I use coconut oil as the baking fat for my Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.”
• Dark chocolate. “My favorite food has always been chocolate — specifically, dark chocolate,” she says. “I love the richness, depth, and decadence of dark chocolate, and I love that it’s less sweet. For my baking, I choose coconut sugar–sweetened dark chocolate bars or chips. Since it often doesn’t contain added gums or fillers, dark chocolate also melts really well.” (Speaking of chocolate, we can’t wait to make her Sweet Potato Brownies, full of dark chocolate chips.)

Read next: Here’s a Healthy Blueberry Muffin Recipe for Every Eating Style

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