The holiday season brings out the best recipes — family favorites, nostalgic flavors, and all the cozy baking traditions we look forward to all year. And while treats are absolutely a gift (you’ll never hear me say to skip them!), many people want to enjoy their holiday baking without the sugar crash, bloating, or fatigue that sometimes comes with it. The good news? With just a few simple ingredient upgrades, you can keep the flavors you love and support your energy, digestion, and overall wellness — all without making your recipes complicated.
Here are five science-backed swaps I use in my own kitchen to make holiday baking more nourishing for myself and my family.
1. Choose Einkorn Flour for Easier Digestion & Better Nutrient Density
Einkorn is the original, ancient wheat — and it’s very different from modern hybridized varieties.
Why I love it:
- Naturally lower in gluten
- Higher in protein and key micronutrients
- Rich in antioxidants
- Gentle on digestion for many people
Einkorn behaves similarly to all-purpose flour but delivers a deeper flavor and a more nutrient-dense base for cookies, muffins, cakes, and breads.
2. Swap Refined Sugar for Maple Syrup
Holiday baking and sweetness go hand in hand — but the type of sweetener you use matters.
Why maple syrup is a better choice:
- Contains minerals like zinc and manganese
- Offers polyphenols with antioxidant benefits
- Creates a more stable blood sugar response compared to white sugar
- Enhances holiday flavors beautifully
- It’s still sugar — but one that comes with a little more nourishment.
3. Use Ceylon Cinnamon for Blood Sugar Support
Not all cinnamon is created equal! Most store-bought cinnamon is cassia, which contains higher levels of coumarin.
Ceylon cinnamon (“true cinnamon”) offers:
- Support for healthy insulin sensitivity
- Lower coumarin content
- A gentler, warmer flavor
- Powerful antioxidants
This small switch adds big benefits, especially during a season when sweets are everywhere.
4. Replace Industrial Seed Oils with Real Butter
Your baked goods will taste better and support your health in the long run.
Why butter is the better choice:
- Naturally rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K
- Contains butyrate to support gut health
- More heat-stable
- Doesn’t come with the oxidation issues linked to seed oils
- Better flavor, better texture, better nourishment.
5. Add a Scoop of Collagen to Boost Protein & Support Gut Health
Adding high-quality collagen directly into your batter is one of the easiest ways to upgrade holiday treats.
Why collagen is a holiday baking staple:
- Adds protein to help blunt blood sugar spikes
- Supports hair, skin, nails, and joints
- Nourishes the gut lining
- Dissolves seamlessly into batters without changing taste or texture
Cookies, muffins, brownies, breads — collagen works in nearly all baked goods.
Use code STEPHANIE15 to get 15% off my favorite unflavored collagen.Perfect for all your holiday baking (and your January resets).
Want Even More Nourishing Holiday Recipes?
I poured so much love into creating my Winter Cookbook, filled with warm, cozy, real-food recipes your whole family will enjoy.
You’ll find:
- Holiday baking recipes
- Comforting dinners
- Blood sugar–friendly treats
- Real ingredients, simple steps, and tons of flavor
It’s the perfect companion for anyone who wants to enjoy the season while still feeling energized and well-supported.
Nourish Your Traditions
You don’t have to choose between enjoying your favorite holiday treats and feeling good afterward. With a few thoughtful swaps — and a scoop of collagen — you can bring more nourishment into every recipe this season. Because holiday baking should be comforting, delicious, and good for your body, too.
About Stephanie Crabtree, RD
Stephanie is a holistic registered dietitian with 15 years of experience, passionate about helping Christian women overcome exhaustion, bloating, and hormone imbalances through a faith-rooted, real food approach. She’s the creator of Restoring Eden, a transformational gut and hormone healing course designed to bring women back to the vibrant health God intended. Ironically, Stephanie used to despise the taste of matcha—and couldn’t handle collagen in coffee. But since discovering Yonder’s collagen and creating this nourishing matcha recipe, it’s become a daily favorite. With its rich antioxidants and gut-supportive properties, matcha is now a key part of her mid-day ritual.
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