Baking

Three minutes to mix, a minute to cook and another minute to stand – you can be eating this low-cal treat in no time!

With ground almonds and whisked egg whites, this thin light sponge cake bypasses the mainstays of butter and refined flour in a standard sponge recipe. The strawberry sauce is also every bit as sweet and sticky as jam, with about a tenth of the sugar

A low-fat, reduced-sugar cake that still ticks the ‘sweet treat’ box. To make this cake gluten-free, substitute gluten free flour, adding ½ tsp xanthan gum and 2 tbsp skimmed milk

Made with apple and less dried fruit than in classic recipes, this healthier mincemeat is lower in sugar. Filo pastry is lower in fat than shortcrust or puff, so reduces the fat and calories too

Root veg, such as parsnips and carrots, work surprisingly well in breakfast bakes. Add wholemeal flour for a fibre boost, and oats for slow-release energy

If you struggle to resist sweet treats, then make your own healthier bakes. Look for a cake made with whisked egg whites, like our apple cloud cake - lovely and light but with no added fat, such as butter

Inspired by Middle Eastern-style citrus cakes, these are made with a whole orange whizzed into the mixture to keep them moist, and use a moderate amount of honey instead of sugar. They're gluten free, too

Exotic and fudgy, soaked with maple syrup and scented with roses, there is something of a rum baba about these. They're made healthier due to the use of two high-fibre flours, neither of which dampen the indulgence of these little buns

This bake includes nutritious goodies, such as nuts, raisins and carrot, plus healthier oils rather than butter. The result is a cross between a pudding and a moist cake