I can’t be the only one who gets cinnamon roll cravings! On my commute home, I sometimes dream of ooey-gooey cinnamon-filled goodness packed in a sweet and warm bun. But when I get home, reality hits. Not only am I missing eggs and buttermilk, but I simply cannot find any cinnamon in my kitchen. While some ingredients are essential (you can’t have cinnamon rolls without cinnamon) baking is flexible enough to allow for substitutions. Whether you’re short on flour or have run out of butter, you likely have the solution in your kitchen.
If you’re looking for healthier options for baked goods, you can also find some great alternatives to the classic but calorie-laden ingredients. There are no-brainers, like whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose classic flour, but you can also swap dried prunes for butter. Another weird trick? Avocado works great instead of butter in muffins, and black beans are a wonderful replacement of flour for brownies.
It might sound weird, but believe me, it works! Make your favorite sweet treats even if you’re on a gluten-free diet, are new to paleo or veganism. In my case, I had no cinnamon for my dream cinnamon roll. Next time I’ll try these ideas instead!