A Better Alternative

As a vegetarian, I love cacao powder because it’s filled with nutrient-rich minerals and loaded with iron, which we often get from eating meat. This powder is the unprocessed version of cocoa powder, so it contains more nutrients and is a bit richer, so you only need a smaller amount of it to get the same chocolaty taste for cookies, cakes, brownies, smoothies, and other chocolate creations.

A Better Alternative

This sweetener alternative contains fewer grams of sugar per serving than refined sugar and also contains fiber, iron, zinc, and calcium. I use it in the majority of the baked goods and deserts I make. It’s not only a better alternative, but it tastes great.

A Better Alternative

Again, I love cacao products because of the added iron, and the chocolate taste. I use cacao nibs as an alternative to sugary dark chocolate pieces by blending them into baking mixes – they make great chocolate chips, and you can also sprinkle them into granola recipes to give your oats some extra natural flavor.

A Better Alternative

These baking cups are great because they’re affordable, help you to get the perfect cupcake shape, reduce dough from sticking to your cupcake tin, and they’re made from recycled material which helps to reduce waste. Not to mention, they’re chlorine-free!

A Better Alternative

This is another great recycled-material baking product from If You Care. I use this parchment baking paper to help reduce waste — plus, it’s helpful for preventing baking treats from sticking to surfaces and sheets. Like the product above, I also like it because it’s chlorine-free.

A Better Alternative

Vanilla bean is one of my favorite flavors for sweet treats, and can be mixed into cookie dough or added to a smoothie mixture. I use and like this one specifically because its an unsweetened vanilla powder, that I find still preserves that great taste and flavor. It’s also USDA Certified organic, Non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan — which is always a huge plus for me!

A Better Alternative

For those who are gluten-free, you can still enjoy your favorite baking recipes with this gluten-free (alternative) flour that I use for all of my baking recipes — from cakes and cookies to breads and cupcakes. It’s also affordable and doesn’t have any of that yucky stuff.

A Better Alternative

For those who are vegan, cashew products provide great alternatives for cream cheese in cheesecake recipes, but also this nut butter can be a great way to get a protein boost while making a smoothie or dessert a bit creamier. I love adding cashew butter to smoothies or mixing it into oat and chocolate chip cookies. Flavor and taste-wise, cashew butter is a bit lighter and a bit sweeter. You can also taste the difference between organic and non-organic nut butters.

A Better Alternative

For my final pick, I’ve chosen one of my favorite healthy-baking essentials. Chia seeds are a great alternative source of protein for vegetarians and vegans — and when mixed with water — they can be used as great egg substitutes in vegan baking recipes. I love throwing these seeds into morning smoothies, sprinkling them into homemade granola, blending them into oat bar recipes, or mixing these seeds in cookie dough for added fiber, omega-3, and antioxidants.