Our 10 Best Whole-Grain And Whole-Wheat Baking Recipes
We tend to associate baking with decadent cookies, brownies, cakes, and other indulgences. But delicious baked foods don't have to be bad for you! Don't believe us? Just try out one of our 10 favorite whole-grain and whole-wheat baking recipes—you won't regret it.
True Whole-Wheat Bread
A bread that's completely whole-grain can be dense and dry, but this one, by Lorrette Patzwald, who works with Ponsford's Place in San Rafael, California, is a revelation--moist and springy, with amazing depth of flavor. She starts by soaking some coarse grains to give the bread texture. Patzwald's secret for working with local flours, which aren't as predictable as supermarket flours, is to let your eyes and sense of touch--not just measurements--guide you along. Her directions tell you how.
1 of 10
Whole-Grain Corn Bread
From the Kitchen of…Ann Taylor Pittman, Executive Food Editor
We always cook two pans of corn bread at Thanksgiving: One is done a day ahead as the base for corn bread dressing, and the other goes into the oven at the last minute so it's hot and crusty at the table. Toasted leftovers get drizzled with honey at breakfast.
Medium to fine-ground cornmeal works well for this corn bread, but you can substitute a coarser grind if you prefer a heftier texture.
2 of 10
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Everything you crave in a cinnamon roll, in a vastly lighter version. Brown sugar sweetens the filling of this breakfast treat, and powdered sugar dissolves into a milky glaze that's drizzled over the top of these delicious and good for you cinnamon rolls. Whole-wheat flour adds a healthy dimension to these tasty rolls.
3 of 10
Rosemary-Asiago Whole-Wheat Pull-Apart Rolls
Rosemary-Asiago Whole-Wheat Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe
Bake these light and tender whole-grain rolls ahead and freeze up to 1 month, or make the dough ahead and bake on the day: Punch down the risen dough to form a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill 8 hours or overnight. Return to a bowl and let rise at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours before shaping.
4 of 10
Whole-Grain Apple Cake with Yogurt Cream
Whole-Grain Apple Cake with Yogurt Cream Recipe
There's a trifecta of textural awesomeness here, as the buttery-crisp topping meets silky-smooth yogurt cream on moist, tender cake. By using whole-wheat pastry flour in place of all-purpose, we triple the fiber per slice to a hearty 4 grams. For a chunkier cake texture, use chopped apples instead of shredded. This cake is great served warm or at room temperature.
5 of 10
Fresh Whole-Wheat Pitas
Fresh Whole-Wheat Pitas Recipe
These are sublime straight out of the oven and stuffed with your favorite salad or sandwich fixings. And leftovers make tasty chips.
6 of 10
Whole-Grain Bran Muffins
Whole-Grain Bran Muffins Recipe
This classic recipe is a wholesome base for mix-ins. Try adding sunflower seeds with blueberries, or grated carrot with walnuts.
7 of 10
Whole-Grain Breakfast Bars
Whole-Grain Breakfast Bars Recipe
Take a break from dessert with these fruit and nut breakfast bars. A large bowl can hold a double batch of the dough, and the hearty mix will perform just fine. Bake bars on the same (middle) rack in the oven.
8 of 10
Whole-Wheat Garlic Bread
Whole-Wheat Garlic Bread Recipe
A perfect addition to your next pasta supper, this easy garlic bread is so easy to make.
9 of 10
Whole-Grain Mini Meat Loaves
Whole-Grain Mini Meat Loaves Recipe
Quinoa and vegetables bulk up meat loaf to a hefty portion; freeze leftover meat loaf up to 2 months.