Welcome to our gingerbread recipe blog, where we celebrate the magic and charm of these beloved holiday treats. At SportPort Active, we understand the importance of treating yourself during the festive season. To help celebrate this holiday, we curated a list of renowned chefs who all share a passion for health-conscious treats. 

Today, we will be sharing traditional favorites – gingerbread desserts! These decadents have been a staple of festive desserts for many centuries. Join us as we explore the culinary prowess of three extraordinary chefs, each known for their own creative spin on traditional delicious creations. The gingerbread recipes have been perfected and will take your holiday baking to new heights. 

Let's dive in and discover the delightful world of these gingerbread treats. 

Gingerbread Wonderland Cookies 

Chef Sarah Johnson: a renowned pastry chef known for her creative and healthy desserts, brings her expertise to The Healthy Holiday Cookie Cookbook. With a passion for using wholesome ingredients, Sarah loves creating festive treats that not only taste delicious but also nourish the body. Her Gingerbread Wonderland Cookies are a true work of art, perfect example of her dedication to combining classic recipes and capturing the essence of the holiday season. Made with a blend of warm spices and molasses, these cookies transport you to a world of enchantment with every bite.

Sarah’s Gingerbread Wonderland Cookies 

Ingredients:

- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

- 2 teaspoons ground ginger

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- ½ teaspoon ground cloves

- ¼ teaspoon salt

- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

- ½ cup granulated sugar

- ½ cup molasses

- 1 large egg

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
2. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing well.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until well combined.
4. Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
6. Cut out desired shapes using cookie cutters and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.

We hope you enjoy Chef Sarah’s wonderland delights and capture the true essence of the holiday season. 

Quinoa Gingerbread Cake

Chef Maria Sanchez: renowned chef with a passion for creating unique and mouthwatering desserts. With years of experience in the culinary world, Maria has mastered the art of blending flavors and textures to create extraordinary treats. Her innovative approach to baking has made her a favorite among food enthusiasts, and her gingerbread creations are no exception. Maria's quinoa gingerbread cake is a testament to her creativity and dedication to using wholesome ingredients without compromising on taste.

Maria Sanchez's Quinoa Gingerbread Cake

Ingredients:

- 1 cup cooked quinoa

- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- ½ teaspoon baking soda

- 1 teaspoon ground ginger

- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

- ¼ teaspoon salt

- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

- ½ cup brown sugar

- ¼ cup molasses

- 2 large eggs

- ½ cup buttermilk

- Powdered sugar, for dusting

- Caramel sauce, for drizzling (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a round cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the molasses and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Gently fold in the cooked quinoa until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar and drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.
11. Slice and serve this delectable quinoa gingerbread cake, savoring the unique combination of flavors and textures.

Indulge in Maria Sanchez's quinoa gingerbread cake and let the warmth of gingerbread spices and the goodness of quinoa transport you to a world of holiday delights. 

Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies

Chef Thomas Anderson: a renowned health-conscious chef and host of the cooking show "Clean Eats," shares his favorite healthy Christmas cookie recipe: Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies. Thomas believes that holiday treats can be both delicious and nutritious. He chose this recipe because it offers a healthier twist on the classic gingerbread cookie, using almond flour instead of refined wheat flour and incorporating warming spices that evoke the holiday spirit. These almond flour gingerbread cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with wholesome ingredients, making them a guilt-free indulgence for the festive season.

Chef's note: "During the holiday season, it's important to have healthier alternatives to traditional treats. These Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while still nourishing your body. Almond flour adds a nutty flavor and a soft, chewy texture to the cookies, while the combination of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves creates that beloved gingerbread taste. These cookies are simple to make and can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. Treat yourself and your loved ones to these wholesome and delightful Christmas cookies!"

Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

- 2 cups almond flour

- 2 tbsp coconut flour

- 1 tsp ground ginger

- 1 tsp ground cinnamon

- ½ tsp ground cloves

- ¼ tsp baking soda

- ¼ tsp salt

- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted

- ¼ cup maple syrup

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- Optional: additional almond flour for rolling

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough appears too sticky, add additional almond flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it can be easily handled.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about ¼ inch.
7. Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes from the dough. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are slightly golden.
9. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once cooled, decorate the almond flour gingerbread cookies as desired. 

Note: Feel free to use natural food coloring or create a glaze using powdered sugar and almond milk for added decoration.

Remember, this holiday season indulge in a delightful world of healthy gingerbread treats. Also, visit our online store SportPort Active, and take advantage of our BOGO SALE!

Happy Holidays from the SportPort Active family!

For More Healthful Holiday Recipes:

Healthy Holiday No Bake Recipes

Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes

Culinary Nutrition Guide to Natural Sweeteners

Free Happy Holiday Treats! Cooking Class

30 Best Healthy Holiday Recipes

Culinary Nutrition Chocolate Guide

Paleo Cranberry Crumb Bars

Pomegranate Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark

Vanilla Almond Crescent Cookies (Vanillekipferln)

German Coconut Macaroons (Kokosmakronen)

German Cookie Recipes