Baking can be extremely therapeutic to do alone or a fun activity to do with family members or children. With the current environment where the majority of us are finding ourselves with more time at home, it can be a great opportunity to practise our baking skills.
Traditional baking recipes for sweet treats tend to contain a large amount of added sugar. This is completely fine if we’re searching for an occasional treat to make or maybe even a celebration bake, like a birthday cake.
However, regularly eating baked goods that are high in added sugar can have negative effects on our health. On top of this, evidence suggests that a lower carbohydrate diet is the most effective to improve our health and lose weight. As sugar is a form of carbohydrate, being mindful of the amount of sugar we consume can help us follow a lower-carb diet.
Reducing the amount of sugar in our baked goods doesn’t mean that they have to taste boring! The dietitians here at Second Nature have combined all of their favourite, lower-sugar, sweet, healthy baking recipes to bring you 6 delicious, simple options.
All of our recipes are lower-sugar, lower-carbohydrate, and don’t contain artificial sweeteners either, as these might increase your appetite and taste preferences for sweet food. We’ve included a mixture of bake and no-bake sweet recipes. Click on the links below for full recipes!
1) Banana bread
A family favourite – this delicious banana bread is a lower-carb, lower-sugar option that everyone will love. You can make this as one loaf or as separate muffins, by spooning the mixture into cases in a muffin tin.
The almond flour gives a delicious, dense texture and combined with the pecans, oats, and bananas, make this bake high in fibre. Fibre keeps us feeling fuller for longer, reducing our chances of snacking.
Second Nature tip: try a slice of this banana bread with a small spoon of natural, unsweetened yoghurt and a few blueberries or raspberries on top.
2) Anzac cookies
Popular in Australia and New Zealand, these oaty cookies are lower in sugar than traditional ultra-processed cookies and are great for sharing. Consider making a big batch on the weekend and having a cookie for a snack or when you’re craving something sweet.
Second Nature tip: add some dark chocolate chips to the mixture before baking if you’re craving chocolate chip cookies.
3) Mug cake
This chocolate mug cake recipe is a great quick option if you’re wanting an indulgent dessert or snack for one, but want to stick to your healthy eating plan. In just 15 minutes, you can make a healthy, rich dessert, without eating large amounts of sugar.
The mug cake is naturally gluten-free (make sure to use gluten-free oats if you opt for oats instead of ground almonds), and can easily be made dairy-free and vegan by using milk alternatives and the chia ‘egg’. A chia egg is simply made from water and chia seeds. Once combined, they become thick and sticky, like the texture of an egg.
Second Nature tip: slice up a few strawberries and enjoy them on top of your mug cake to add some extra textures and flavours. You could even add a teaspoon of peanut butter!
4) Apple tart
Another family favourite, this crumbly tart is a lower-carb option compared with traditional tarts. With the classic, warming flavours of apple and cinnamon combined with the impressive look of this tart, you can’t go wrong.
Second Nature tip: serve a slice of this with a tablespoon of cream or natural, unsweetened yoghurt rather than ice-cream, to keep the sugar content low.
5) Naked fruit crumble
If you love fruit crumble but want to stick to your healthy eating goals, this naked fruit crumble is a great option! It’s higher in protein and fat than traditional crumble, which keeps us feeling fuller for longer.
If you make a large batch of this crumble, you can use any leftover as granola on top of yoghurt or fruit for a new breakfast option.
Second Nature tip: you can swap the peaches in this recipe for apples, nectarines, berries (to make a compote), or any fruit you have available!
6) Bounty Easter eggs
These delicious chocolate and coconut bites are a great alternative to chocolate Easter eggs. If you like Bounty bars, these could satisfy your craving with a fraction of the amount of sugar!
This recipe is great if you’re making something for the family to share – just make a big batch and keep them in the fridge all week to grab when you want a small, sweet bite.
