Gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday treat, but they don’t have to be loaded with sugar and unhealthy ingredients. By making a few simple substitutions, you can enjoy these delicious cookies while still sticking to your healthy eating goals.
First, let’s talk about the traditional ingredients in gingerbread cookies. Most recipes call for flour, sugar, butter or shortening, molasses or brown sugar, eggs, spices like cinnamon and ginger, and sometimes even chocolate chips or raisins.
To make these cookies healthier without sacrificing flavor or texture, we can start by swapping out some of the less nutritious ingredients. Instead of white flour that lacks fiber and nutrients, try using whole wheat flour or almond flour for added protein and fiber. You could also use a combination of flours to get the best texture.
Next up is sugar. Traditional recipes often call for several cups of white granulated sugar which contains empty calories that can cause blood glucose levels to spike and crash leaving us feeling tired after consumption.. Instead of using all white sugar consider using coconut palm sugar as it has lower glycemic index than granulated sugars and is unrefined therefore retaining more micronutrients such as magnesium potassium iron zinc phosphorus etc; honey which has antioxidants properties from flavonoids; maple syrup which contains minerals like manganese and zinc; stevia –a natural sweetener that doesn’t contain any calories nor affect blood glucose levels–could also be used instead of refined sugars
Butter is another ingredient that we can replace with healthier options such as avocado oil or coconut oil both contain medium chain triglycerides(MCTs) ,which unlike other fats are metabolized differently allowing them not only provide energy but also improves cognitive function., both oils have high smoke point hence suitable for baking purposes . Applesauce could also serve as an alternative to butter providing moisture without adding extra fat content into our recipe
Molasses on the other hand is rich in antioxidants and minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron and copper but it contains added sugar that can be unhealthy when consumed in high amounts. Instead of using regular molasses try blackstrap molasses which is a byproduct from refining sugarcane ,it has a lower glycemic index than regular molasses hence provides energy for longer periods of time.
Eggs are also an ingredient we can replace with healthier options such as flax eggs or chia seeds to make the recipe vegan friendly plus they contain fiber and omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown to reduce inflammation
When it comes to spices there’s no need to substitute anything here because cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg all have wonderful health benefits. Cinnamon has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels while ginger relieves nausea, muscle pain among other benefits
Now let’s talk about how you can put these healthier ingredients together into a delicious gingerbread cookie recipe:
Ingredients:
-1 cup whole wheat flour
-1/2 cup almond flour
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1 teaspoon ground ginger
-1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
-pinch of nutmeg
-dash of salt
– ½ cup coconut palm sugar
– ½ cup blackstrap molasses
– ¼ applesauce
-flax eggs (equivalent to two eggs)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven at 350°F
In a large mixing bowl combine both flours , baking soda,cinnamon ,ginger,cloves,nutmeg and salt . Mix well.
In another mixing bowl add the coconut palm sugar, blackstrap molasses applesauce and flax egg mixture then whisk until smooth .
Add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl stirring continuously until everything is combined well
Using your hands knead dough into ball shape before wrapping them in cling film refrigerating for about half an hour .
Remove chilled dough from refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Shape dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
Place cookies onto greased baking sheet before placing them in the oven for about 12-15 minutes
Remove cookies from oven and let them cool down for a few minutes before serving
In conclusion, gingerbread cookies don’t have to be unhealthy. By making simple substitutions such as whole wheat flour, coconut palm sugar, applesauce, blackstrap molasses ,flax eggs or chia seeds instead of traditional ingredients like white flour, granulated sugars or butter we can make these delicious treats healthier while still enjoying their amazing taste. So go ahead and enjoy your favorite holiday treat without any guilt!
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