Since fall is officially here, I can feel the burning desire to BAKE! I love baking, love it. I like all the ingredients, I like the process, and I like the end results. One thing over the years that I have learned is that you can totally bake AND lose weight, its true. There are so many healthy options out there for even the most decadent baked good, have you ever read Chocolate Covered Katie?
This winter is going to be a little harder for me, as I will be working in a cafe like atmosphere, that will be selling tons of baked goods. This just means I need to make sure I don’t feel deprived of these things at home. If I’m eating (in moderation) healthy baked goods at home, my desire to eat unhealthy ones at work will be much less (at least I’m hoping). In order to bake healthy treats though, you have to be prepared. A pantry stocked full of nutritious ingredients, and recipes ready to make! You also have to remember to portion them out, freeze leftovers, or giveaway anything that feels like something you couldn’t control yourself around.
So I figured in honor of the beginning of baking season, that I would make a shopping list, AND post some awesome websites, and recipes. (click photos for recipes)
WHAT YOU NEED TO BAKE HEALTHY:
- Canned Pumpkin (Not canned pumpkin pie filling)
- Canned Sweet Potato Puree
- Salt
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
- Xylitol (look it up)
- Brown Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Vanilla Extract
- Oat Flour
- Maple Syrup
- Shredded Coconut
- Agave
- Virgin Coconut Oil
- Spelt Flour
- Whole Wheat Flour
- All Purpose Flour (I like Organic Non-Bleached)
- Eggs
- Cocoa Powder
- Sugar
- Apple Sauce (unsweetened)
- Mashed Bananas
- Rolled Oats
- Quick Oats
- Nut Butter
- Chocolate Chips
- Stevia
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Garbanzo Beans
- Pitted Dates
- Cream of Tartar
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
- Canned Coconut Milk
- Ground Flax Seed
- Chia Seed
- Brown Rice Syrup
- Greek Yogurt
- Powdered Sugar
- Fat Free Cream Cheese
- Fat Free Pudding Mix
- Ground Ginger
- Ground Cloves
- Honey
- Nutmeg
- Molasses
- Evaporated Fat Free Milk
- FRUIT!
- Lemon Juice
- Pam
- Cornstarch
Some great healthy baking websites: