Creating a Healthier Fruitcake Version
By Brandi Swieter
National Fruitcake Day arrives near the end of December. This common holiday treat is popular for some and undesired by others. It's one of the healthier cake versions either way due to all the fruit used, and something that should be considered heading into 2019. The dessert can still be made healthier if a few substitutions are made, ensuring a nutritious treat for everyone to try.
Use Almond and Coconut Flour
White flour commonly used in baking offers little in way of nutrition. Almond and coconut flour are two alternatives that provide far more benefits to the body. They are made from natural ingredients instead of put through a man-made process that strips away the nutrients. They have a more off-white or even almost beige color, unlike the pure white of all-purpose flour so commonly seen on store shelves.
Replace Butter with Coconut Oil
The traditional recipe calls for butter to be used, just as in many baked goods. Replace the fat that is butter by using coconut oil instead. It still helps to add texture to the mix without incorporating all of that sodium.
Substitute Sugar for Honey
Honey acts as a sweetener. It can be used as a substitute for sugar in recipes. Only the organic type should be added as traditional honey found on store shelves has lots of sugar added to it to sweeten it up even more than necessary.
Add Raw Almonds
Nuts are commonly found in fruitcake. Walnuts and pecans are two of the more popular choices to add. Though nuts are often thought of as healthy, many are still high in fat and calories. They're fine to eat in moderation but not in excess. One of the best nuts to add to fruitcake or to eat in general is almonds. Almonds offer lots of protein and have fewer calories than some other offerings. Buying the raw version is best because the almonds will still possess all of their nutrients. Roasted almonds lose some of their nutrition during the heating process.
Skip the Glaze
Some cooks create a glaze to drizzle over top of their fruitcakes. This is unnecessary and only adds extra sugar, calories, and fat. Skip the glaze to keep the dessert as healthy as possible.
Fruitcake doesn't have to be a holiday-only option. The dessert option has its own day to be celebrated and can also be enjoyed throughout the rest of the year. Try the healthier version for a nutritious dessert that doesn't add too many calories to the count for the day.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Noblesville, Ind.