If you thought it was nearly impossible to find a holiday bread recipe that is not only good for you, but tasty and even gluten-free, think again. These three healthy holiday breads may offer the ideal solution to your dilemma. Keep in mind that with each recipe, organic ingredients should be used whenever possible.
Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup coconut palm sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 7 eggs, separated
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients and set aside. In a separate bowl beat the egg whites and sea salt until a stiff peak begins to form; set aside. Mix the egg yolks, pumpkin puree, coconut oil and vanilla extract together. Next, combine the dry ingredients with the pumpkin mixture until well-mixed. Fold in egg whites. Fold the batter into a well-greased bread loaf pan and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes and then remove the foil and bake for another 15 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from the pan and allow the bread to cool on a wire rack.
Orange-Cranberry Bread
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons orange zest (scrape a fresh orange using a peeler)
1 ½ cups cranberries
1 ½ cups orange pulp
½ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons flaxseed
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the almond flour with baking soda and set aside. Beat the coconut oil and brown sugar together in a separate bowl until smooth. Add the flour mixture, orange juice, orange zest, and flaxseed, mixing well. Stir in cranberries and orange pulp. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Gluten-Free Apple-Cinnamon Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
- ½ cup coconut palm sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 whole egg, beaten
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cups finely chopped, peeled Granny Smith apples
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add in the egg, butter and applesauce; mix well. Gently fold in chopped apple and pour into a bread loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from pan and allow the bread to cool on a cooling rack.
These breads make a wonderful gift – or try bringing them to holiday get togethers. Of course, they are also a fabulous, practically guilt-free treat at home as well.
-The Alternative Daily