12 healthy baking recipes
From vegan chocolate cake, to sugar-free Victoria sponge and gluten-free banana bread, we have all the healthy baking inspiration you need. Serve for afternoon tea or enjoy through the week.
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.
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
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
Put overripe bananas to good use and make this easy bake using gluten-free flour and ground almonds. Serve warm for an afternoon treat.
More like this
Not gluten-free? Check out our healthy banana bread – it's just as good.
3. Sugar-free Victoria sponge
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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