There's nothing more wholesome than spending a few hours of your weekend in the kitchen, baking something delicious. It's a mindful way to spend your time and can often be a great way to use up ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, like bananas. Not to mention the results can be enjoyed throughout the week by the whole family, at home or packed up into lunchboxes. Plus, there's no reason your bakes can't be healthy.

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With our easy recipes below, you can make cakes, cookies, brownies and breads with less sugar, without dairy and free from gluten. From fruity treats to pure chocolate indulgence, we really do have something for everyone.

For more inspiration, check out our low-sugar baking recipes, vegan dessert recipes and dairy-free baking recipes.

1. Healthy chocolate brownies

Healthy chocolate brownies cut into squares

You'll never guess the secret ingredient in these dense chocolate brownies – black beans! A few clever swaps keeps them low in fat, with no added sugar and gluten-free.

2. Gluten-free banana bread

Gluten-free banana bread studded with whole banan pieces

Put overripe bananas to good use and make this easy bake using gluten-free flour and ground almonds. Serve warm for an afternoon treat.

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Not gluten-free? Check out our healthy banana bread – it's just as good.

3. Sugar-free Victoria sponge

Sugar Free Victoria Sponge with fresh strawberries

A modern take on a timeless classic, this Victoria sponge recipe has plenty of fruity sweetness without the sugar. Top with clouds of whipped cream and fresh raspberries for a real crowd-pleasing treat.

4. Lighter lemon drizzle cake

Lighter lemon drizzle cake with a slice taken

We gave one of our most popular cakes the ultimate healthy makeover by reducing the fat and using natural yogurt to keep the sponge moist. It's finished with the classic lemon and sugar drizzle.

5. Vegan scones

Vegan scones with dairy-free cream and jam

Enjoy our vegan scones, which use soy milk and vegan vegetable spread to replace the dairy. Serve with vegan cream and your favourite jam for a pleasing afternoon tea.

6. Fudgy chocolate squares

Healthy fudgy chocolate squares topped with nuts

These deeply chocolatey squidgy sponge squares are gluten-free, but you'd never guess. Add walnuts to the top for a bit of crunch.

7. Oaty hazelnut cookies

Oaty hazelnut cookies on a white plate

These soft and chewy cookies are sweetened with apple and maple syrup instead of sugar. They're packed with hazelnuts so they provide a good hit of nutrients.

Alternatively, make our energy-boosting healthy raspberry and oat cookies – they're great for packing into lunch boxes or taking to go.

7. Vegan carrot cake

Vegan carrot cake with icing and edible flowers on stand

Give free-from baking a go with our easy vegan carrot cake. It still has all the familiar cinnamon-spiced flavours you love, but now made with coconut oil, cashew butter and oat milk.

8. Baked banana cheesecake

Baked banana cheesecake

We can't get enough banana bakes. Here, we've added them to our low-sugar cheesecake with a chocolate and nut base and a ricotta and yogurt topping.

Love cheesecake? Try our tropical mascarpone & pineapple cheesecake – it's made with coconut cream and fresh pineapple.

9. Vegan flapjacks

Vegan flapjacks

Use our versatile recipes for dairy-free flapjacks as a base then add your favourite nuts and dried fruits. Or use up whatever you have in the cupboards – chocolate chips, seeds and goji berries are all healthy options

We also have fruity gluten-free flapjacks and healthy flapjacks for you to enjoy.

10. Berry almond bakewell

Berry almond bakewell

Crisp pastry, sweet raspberries and a nutty frangipane filling make this show stopping treat. No one will guess it's low in sugar.

11. Gluten-free cupcakes

Gluten-free cupcakes on a white serving dish

Treat family and friends to these simple vanilla-flavoured cupcakes, baked with gluten-free flour and baking powder.

Like these? Then you'll love our gluten-free muffins made with Greek yogurt and amaretti biscuits, they're perfect with a cuppa.

12. Easy vegan chocolate cake

Vegan chocolate cake with avocado icing

This indulgent vegan cake, topped with seriously rich frosting, is so good you'd never guess it's gluten-free and made without eggs or dairy.

Want more like this? Now try...

Vegan baking recipes
Healthy chocolate recipes
Gluten-free baking recipes
Healthy cake recipes
All our family-friendly recipes


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All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

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