Published on December 15, 2023

Recipe Modifications for Healthier Holiday Baking

photo of a mature woman baking with 2 young girls in a kitchenThe holidays are often when families gather and celebrate the many traditions passed down over generations. Holiday baking might be a family favorite in your household.

If you're focusing on heart health this season, it doesn't necessarily mean you need to sit out on the holiday baking fun.

In fact, with a few simple ingredient substitutions, you can still create some of your favorite desserts with a focus on heart health. See our ingredient substitutions below!

Instead of: Try this:
  • 1 cup cooking oil
  • ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce plus ½ cup oil
  • 1 cup butter, shortening or lard
  • 1 cup margarine
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup fruit puree such as unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 whole egg
  • 2 egg whites
  • ¼ cup applesauce
  • ¼ yogurt
  • 1 cup cream cheese
  • 1 cup low-fat or nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup low-fat or nonfat plain yogurt (regular or Greek)
  • 1 cup low-fat sour cream
  • 1 cup light cream
  • 1 cup evaporated skim milk
  • 1 cup fat-free half & half
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ pureed fruit
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 cup whole-wheat flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

Note: Replacing a solid fat with oil doesn't work in all baking recipes; it works better in recipes that require melting the solid fat first.

Dietitians are another resource for reviewing diets and helping to personalize meal plans. We hope you have a very merry baking season!

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