Get ready to sleigh the holiday season with our festive and fabulous healthy baking substitutes! The Holidays are just a hop, skip, and jump away, and we're here to make sure you can savour every delightful bite of the season. With our curated collection of wholesome baking alternatives, whether you're looking to stay on top of your goals this holiday season or have friends and family specific dietary preferences, we've got you covered! Let the joyous baking festivities begin, and let's celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in style! 🌟🎄✨

The star of the show today is our Simple Mills - Almond Flour Banana Muffin & Bread Mix! So simple and tastes delicious!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients: 

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 oil
• Simple Mills Mix

Optional (to elevate the flavour, though still scrumptious without)

• 1tsp vanilla
• 1/2 chocolate chips
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (personal preference)

Instructions:

1. Whisk eggs, water, and oil in a large mixing bowl (I used olive oil, but I'm eager to try it with grass-fed butter next time for extra heart-healthy fats! I've come across numerous naturopathic articles recommending this swap)
2. Add vanilla and cinnamon
3. Slowly incorporate the baking mix into your large bowl
4. Stir in chocolate chips

*Pro Tip:* Use an ice cream scooper and a small spoon to measure out the mixture into muffin tins! You'll thank me later :)

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the top bounces back (I baked mine for 19 minutes)

6. Eat and enjoy! They're incredibly delicious, and you'd never guess they were gluten-free!

This may not come as a surprise to most but our healthy chocolate chip options are off the chart! With four kinds to choose from, we are certain that there is something there for everyone! For this recipe, I used Hu Chocolate - No Sugar Added Paleo Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips! With only 4 ingredients, they perfectly kick any chocolatey craving!

other chocolate chip options (oh my):

• Evolved Semi-Sweet
• Lily's Baking Chips
• Lily's Baking Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate Baking & Snacking Gems

If you're not feeling the Banana Muffin route hop on over to StellarEats the next-door neighbour to our Simple Mills Baking mix! Delicious flavour and perfect texture using 8 (or less) real food ingredients because StellarEats wants you to enjoy your favourite foods and feel amazing. My personal favourite for the holidays is the gingerbread cookie! Did we mention they are also female-founded and local! We love it!

If you remember our thanksgiving stuffing blog post, it is time to revive it for a healthier friendlier alternative this holiday season!

To wrap up this blog post here's a list of some amazing baking staple substitutes!

KaiZen - Lupini Flour

Kaizen’s Lupini Bean Flour is made from 100% Australian Lupini beans. It’s just 1 net carb per serving and packs 12 grams of protein, making it one of the best sources of plant protein available anywhere!

Lakanto - Sweetener with Monkfruit

This Monkfruit looks like sugar but contains zero net carbs, zero calories, and is zero-glycemic. Perfect for cookies, coffee, desserts, and other sweet, sugar-free treats.

Birch Benders - Keto Waffle and Pancake Mixes

These keto pancakes meet your macros, with only 5g net carbs per serving so you can enjoy your favourite breakfast again.

Thornbury Bakery - Keto Breadcrumbs

The Thornbury Bakery Café has been a landmark on the main street in Thornbury since 1901. 

Lulubelle & Co. - Sprinkles

100% natural, with no artificial colour or flavour and naturally gluten-free, you'll love these sprinkles for all of your decorating needs! Lulubelle & Co is certified Bcorp and Women Owned. They come in Rainbow, Mixed Pink with hearts, and dino sprinkles for every occasion :)

Cha's Organic - Organic Coconut Whipping Cream

Cut your baking time in half with ready-to-whip unsweetened coconut whipping cream! Just chill, whip, add your favourite flavourings such as cacao, vanilla and or any sweetener of your choice and serve! Made from organic coconuts harvested from regenerative organic orchards in Sri Lanka and sourced on fair trade terms.

Fine & Raw - Caramel Gooeyiness

This baby is the perfect topping for ice cream (obvi), morning coffee, apple slices, pretzels, movie night popcorn, and is a guilt-free baking ingredient!