How to make your pumpkin bread (or anything for that matter) healthier

Ok, here it is:  the secret to baking healthy.


1.  Take your fave recipe, say for Pumpkin Bread and reduce the sugar by 1/4 to 1/2 cup less than what it calls for.
2.  Swap part of the butter or oil for mashed fruit, such as applesauce or banana that is not a strong flavor but will lend moistness and provide natural sweetener.
3.  Use egg whites instead of whole eggs, or for vegan recipes, a mixture of apple cider vinegar and nondairy milk, or flax meal with water as an egg substitute.
4.  Sub some of the regular or gluten-free flour with almond meal, or better yet, what I will now dub "power meal": half almond meal, a fourth quinoa flour and a fourth ground chia or flax.

Play around; it's the best way to custom your treats to your taste and lower the fat and sugar, not to mention calories!

Bonus points if you enjoy it with a steaming cup of green tea.