These healthy gingerbread muffins are intended for kids but they're too good not to share! Vegan, low in sugar and topped with adorable mini gingerbread men these are a great healthy Christmas treat.
Do you ever steal your kids snacks?
I know I do, especially when they're as tempting as these little gingerbread men from Organix*.
The kids are not impressed when they catch me out, especially if I try and justify it by saying that I'm just checking that they're ok!
My kids are way too smart to be fooled by this.
Research by Organix shows that a whopping 50% of parents have tried this trick though, to justify stealing their kids' tasty snacks!
I'm also rather partial to their cocoa fruit and seed bites, which taste exactly like energy balls without you having to dig the food processor out of the cupboard!
However, the Organix snack that I've stolen the most since becoming a mum eight and a half years ago has to be the apple rice cakes. They saved me from breastfeeding "hanger" on many an occasion.
NOTHING has ever given me an appetite like breastfeeding did. Can you relate?
The kids don't always like it when us mums and dads steal their snacks though as you can see in this little video: For Us Not You, A Little One's Perspective.
If you can stop yourself from eating them all as soon as the packet is open, Organix gingerbread men biscuits make perfect cupcake toppers.
These healthy gingerbread muffins are so good that I'm sure you'll be tempted to steal just one or two from your kids - it wouldn't be good for them to eat the whole batch anyway, would it?
More Christmas recipes you might like
If you like these you might also like these:
How to make them bigger
I've made these healthy gingerbread muffins in fairy cake cases as I think they're a better size for kids that way. This recipe makes 15 fairy cakes.
If you wish you could make them larger and use muffin or cup cake cases instead. You'll get around 10 cakes with these quantities and will need to increase the cooking time to 25-30 minutes.
How to decorate these muffins
I've used a cashew frosting for these, which I've adapted from this recipe by Minimalist Baker. This is a bit runnier than standard buttercream frosting so it will ideally need to be chilled before using and the cakes will need to be stored in the fridge.
If you prefer you could use a very simple cream cheese frosting (which is great for little kids) or simply leave them plain. I've popped a batch of these in the freezer un-iced to add to lunchboxes - they're nut free without the frosting.
How to make healthy gingerbread muffins with cashew frosting
If you've made this recipe please a leave a star rating and comment below. Thank you
Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
Healthy gingerbread muffins
Ingredients
- 175 g coconut sugar or use light brown sugar if preferred
- 250 g plain wholemeal flour or plain white flour if preferred
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- ½ teaspoon mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 100 g cold water
- 100 g sunflower oil
- 1 large ripe banana mashed
- 100 g sultanas
For the cashew frosting
- 140 g cashew nuts
- 100 ml coconut milk
- 40 ml melted coconut oil
- 30 ml maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
To top
- 50 g Organix mini gingerbread men 2 packs
Instructions
To make the frosting
- Put the cashew nuts in a bowl and cover with hot water for 30 minutes.
- Drain the cashews then place into a high speed blender with the remaining ingredients.
- Blend until completely smooth.
- Remove from the blender, place in a plastic tub, allow to cool then place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up. You could skip this stage but the icing will be quite runny.
To make the cakes
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/gas mark 6. Place 15 fairy cake cases in a bun tin (the size you’d use for fairy cakes)
- Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and spices together into a large mixing bowl.
- Stir in the sugar
- In a jug mix the oil, water and mashed banana and beat together.
- Fold into the flour.
- Stir in the sultanas.
- Spoon the mixture into the fairy cake cases and bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes until well risen and firm to the touch.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Spread or pipe the icing on top and decorate with mini gingerbread men.
- Store in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin healthy gingerbread muffins for later
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?
If you loved this recipe why not let me know by leaving a rating and comment below? Alternatively you can let me know on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Subscribe to get recipes and news straight to your inbox. Read more about Sneaky Veg
*Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post with Organix
Lucy Parissi
Those gingerbread men! What a great idea. Loving the inclusion of banana and dried fruit in these muffins to boost sweetness and nutrition at the same time.
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Lucy - they are super cute aren't they!
Mayuri Patel
Oh my, the mini Gingerbread men look so so so cute. I wish I could get them in Mombasa. As for the muffins, I love the fact that they are made without any eggs.
Mandy Mazliah
Oh that's a shame that you can't get them - you could make your own?
Sues
How cute are these?! I am so obsessed with gingerbread during the holiday season and love that with these, I can start my day off with it and in a healthy way. That frosting sounds just wonderful!
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks so much - gingerbread is really fabulous isn't it!
Sisley White
These are too cute! I love them and I can definitely confirm they wouldn't last long in my house.
Mandy Mazliah
Ha ha, I think that might be true of many houses!!
Rebecca | AAUBlog
these look amazing, especially the cashew frosting. i bet that makes them really creamy 🙂
Mandy Mazliah
It's so good, much better than vegan frosting made with margarine
Colette
How cute are they! Love the little gingerbread men topping!
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Colette!
Sara | Belly Rumbles
Those Organix gingerbread men are the perfect little muffin toppers. To look at these gingerbread muffins with cashew frosting you would never know they were a healthy option.
Mandy Mazliah
Exactly - it's so good to have a treat that's just a little bit better for you