The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Wholesome Baking

Welcome to the Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Wholesome Baking! If you’re all about baking and wanna learn how to add more wholesome, whole ingredients into what you make, you’re in the right place!

What is wholesome baking?

So, what’s wholesome baking all about? Wholesome baking is when you not only aim to create a super delicious baked good, but you are also mindful of the nutritional profile of that baked good as well. You include ingredients that are as unprocessed as possible and are rich in nutrients. Overall, wholesome baking has the total aim of creating baked goods that nourish the body while at the same time are delicious and satisfying.

Incorporate Whole Grain

The biggest opportunity for incorporating wholesome ingredients into your baking is in the flour you choose. Flour makes up the bulk of most baked goods volume. It provides the structure and body to your breads, cakes, cookies, and whatever else you choose to bake. Because of this, the flour you use has a significant impact on the health profile of your baked goods.

Some great whole grain flours you can use in your baking include:

• Whole wheat
• Spelt flour
• Oat flour
• Rye flour 
• Buckwheat

There are a lot of options when it comes to whole grain flours. Whole wheat alone has so many varieties and options, each having their own place in baking. If you think whole wheat is only for have dense bread loaves, then you’re in for a treat when you learn about whole wheat pastry flour, hard white wheat flour, and sprouted wheat flour. 

And hey, speaking of whole grain flour, I’ve been enjoying stuff made with it since I was a kid. My mom even used to grind her own flour with this crazy loud wheat grinder. She made pancakes to cookies to what she called “fiber bars,” and that whole wheat flour added that awesome nutty flavor that you just can’t beat. Needless to say, growing up eating whole wheat has made me partial to the hearty nuttiness it gives baked goods.

Incorporating whole grain flours instead of refined white flour drastically ups the wholesomeness level of your baking. Giving whole grain flour a try is definitely worth it!

Reduce/Replace Refined Sugars

Now, let’s talk sugar. Sure, sugar adds sweetness, but did you know it does a whole lot more? It enhances flavor, locks in moisture, and even tenderizes your bakes.

Natural sweeteners include options like:

• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Fruit (dates, bananas, etc)
• Coconut sugar
• Molasses

With a little know-how, you can reduce (or swap out entirely) refined granulated sugar in your baking with these healthier alternatives without sacrificing taste or texture.

Using Healthy Fats

Fat is an essential element to baking. And like sugar, fat in baking isn’t a one trick pony. Fat not only helps make baked goods moist, but it also helps keep things tender and adds to the overall structure of what you’re making. 

Some great healthy fat options are:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Butter
• Coconut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Nut and Seed Butters

In baking, there are other sources of fat that aren’t so obvious. Dairy products (milk, cream, buttermilk, etc.) and egg yolks also provide fat to a recipe. 

Using sources of healthy fats like these are part of a wholesome baking practice.

Adding Fruits and Vegetables

Another great way to up you baked goods healthfulness is by adding fruits and vegetables to them. Some of my favorite fruits and vegetables to bake with are:

• Bananas
• Applesauce
• Butternut Squash
• Sweet Potato
• Pumpkin

Although fat is essential to baking and a balanced diet, it’s good to balance the amount you consume. Incorporating fruits and vegetables in your baking gives you the opportunity to replace some of the fat (and sugar in some cases) with fruit and/or vegetables.

You got to get those daily servings of fruits and vegetables in somehow, why not through cake?

Enhance with Spices, Herbs, and Extracts

A last but effective way to start baking wholesomely is by using spices, herbs, and extracts.

When you’re not relying heavily on sugar, fat, and salt to bring the flavor, you have the opportunity to give spices, herbs, and extracts the limelight in your baked goods. Some of my favorites are:

• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Vanilla Extract
• Almond Extract

Wholesome baking emphasizes the idea that baked goods can still be delicious and satisfying while contributing to a balanced diet and supporting overall health and well-being. It’s about making mindful choices and being conscious of the ingredients and techniques used in baking. 

Incorporating whole grains, replacing refined sugars with natural alternatives, using healthy fats, adding fruits and vegetables, and enhancing flavors with spices, herbs, and extracts are key components of wholesome baking.