30 Days, 30 Ways: Bake it Better

All throughout January we’re bringing you 30 Days, 30 Ways to Good Health, a series of easy strategies for overall wellness (and because we love food, it’s focuses on the foods and cooking techniques to add into your life instead of what to take away.)  Read on for our latest eat well strategy: bake it better.

 

Incorporating grains like whole wheat, quinoa, emmer and spelt into baked goods give favorites like muffins and scones a fiber-rich boost. For those avoiding gluten, alternative grain flours make baking without all-purpose flour a snap. Here are a few recipes to try; get more info on whole grains here.

 

Gluten-Free Skillet Cornbread Made with gluten-free Cup4Cup flour, this corn bread gets a spicy kick from sliced jalapeños. It’s the perfect accompaniment to chili or soup.

Oatmeal Bran Muffins with Raisins and Almonds The secret to the texture of these best-ever bran muffins is using two kinds of bran cereal: 100% Bran® and All-Bran®.

Date-Apple Oat Bran Muffins The apple and applesauce add moisture, the dates and oat bran add fiber, and the nonfat dry milk adds calcium to these moist, flavorful muffins.

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Bars Both rolled oats and whole-wheat flour give a rustic texture to these chocolate-studded dessert bars, reminiscent of oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies. Long and slender, they are perfectly shaped for dipping into a tall glass of milk.

Oatmeal Streusel Jam Bars The great thing about these crave-worthy bars is that you only have to make one dough: Part of it is pressed into the pan bottom for the crust and the rest serves as the crunchy streusel topping.

Gluten-Free Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Bread Our gluten-free quick bread mix, which uses Chef Thomas Keller’s signature Cup4Cup flour, contains flakes of pumpkin for rich flavor, plus crunchy unsalted pecans and fragrant cinnamon.

Emmer Scones Emmer has a nutty flavor and dense (thought not heavy) texture that make these scones and wholesome and hearty breakfast choice.

Banana Oatmeal Power Cookies These cookies have it all nuts, grains and fruit. Their portable size makes them perfect for taking on hikes, bike rides and all sorts of expeditions.

Millet Muffins These whole wheat and millet muffins were created by cookbook author and blogger Heidi Swanson. They have a light, airy texture and bright, fresh flavor, thanks to the addition of lemon zest and juice. Maple-Almond Granola Classic rolled oats form the base of this crunchy fruit-and-nut granola, lightly sweetened with honey and maple syrup. Make a big batch to keep on hand for an easy, wholesome start to the day.