As much as I love the idea of a rainbow of veggies filling my plate each day, I get it: it’s not always easy (or fun) to get the recommended 10 servings a day. And that’s where veggie-packed baked goods come in.
Loading up on as many veggies as possible has a myriad of health benefits, from keeping our blood pressure in check (thank you, beets!) to preventing illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease (hello, leafy greens!)
Since we want our new year to include some indulgences without weighing us down, it’s the perfect opportunity to throw some veggies in the mix that can actually enhance a baked good’s flavor and natural sweetness while adding tons of nutrients.
Scroll on for some of my favorite baking projects that include vegetables as a starring ingredient, and see if your kids even notice. We won’t tell if you won’t.
image above by Half Baked Harvest
Zucchini
Double Chocolate Coconut Oil Zucchini Muffins with Caramelized Buckwheat from Half Baked Harvest
Rosemary and Apple Zucchini Bread with Ginger from Camille Styles
Cinnamon Sugar Zucchini Coffee Cake from Pinch of Yum
Carrot
Masala Chai Carrot Cake from Camille Styles
Carrot Cake Cookies from Cooking Classy
Paleo Carrot Cake Cupcakes from 40 Aprons
Sweet Potato
Cinnamon and Spice Sweet Potato Bread from Averie Cooks
Sweet Potato Pie Bars from From My Bowl
Mini Sweet Potato Hand Pies from Toaster Oven Love
Cauliflower
Cauliflower Rice Pudding from Neurotic Mommy
Non-Dairy & Paleo Strawberry Cheesecake from The Healthy Foodie
Chocolate Cauliflower Protein Cookies from Kiipfit
Beets
Cinnamon Beet Rolls from Gather and Dine
Baked Double Chocolate Beet Donuts from Darn Good Veggies
Beet Dark Chocolate Scones with Pistachio Crumble from The Green Life
Avocado
No-Bake Avocado Lime Cheesecake from PureWow
Avocado Lemon Cake from Naive Cook Cooks
Avocado Ricotta Olive Oil Cake from Sweet and Savory Meals
Spinach
Sweet Spinach Muffins with Chocolate Chips from Veggie Desserts
Lemon and Spinach Bars from Sneaky Veg
Vanilla Spinach Cake with Vanilla Frosting from Veggie Desserts
Pumpkin
Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Butter from Bon Appetit
Healthy Pumpkin Pie Bars from Fit Foodie Finds
Pumpkin Morning Glory Muffins from Camille Styles
Parsnip
Parsnip and Walnut Loaf Cake from Country Living
Morning Glory Parsnip Maple Coffee Cake from Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Triple-Layer Parsnip Cranberry Cake from Zoebakes
