Delivering healthy and equally delicious Christmas treats for the whole family can seem harder than making Santa appear real. Between the candy canes and advent calendars, getting the little ones to eat something that is actually good for them can be a tall order, which is exactly why we asked resident Happy Way nutritionist Malissa Fedele to whip up a little magic in the kitchen. The result, gingerbread muffins so delicious they can be mistaken for a guilty treat. But the best part is that they offer plenty of nutritional value, healthy ingredients and fun in the kitchen. Gather the kids around the kitchen bench and get them whipping up tasty muffins the whole family and even Santa will enjoy.


Still not convinced you need to get the baking tray out? Here are 3 reasons these muffins are set to become a Christmas staple…

 

They are Gut-friendly 

Made with a base of Greek yoghurt and Happy Way vegan protein powder means that these delicious Gingerbread muffins are super gut-friendly. Packed full of good, live bacteria, these muffins will help mum and dad add more good bacteria back into their stomachs after all those festive wines and drinks. For those looking for a gluten-free option, simply swap out your regular flour for a gluten-free option so that no one has to miss out on the fun.
 

They promote satiety

If you find yourself eating a little more than usual during the festive season, the endless array of dinner parties is not the only thing to blame. The truth is that when we indulge in sweets, treats and even alcohol, our blood sugar levels spike rapidly and come crashing back down faster than you can ass eggnog. This leaves us feeling hungrier than usual and craving sugar and processed carbohydrates. The protein component of these delicious muffins means they will not only appease your sugar cravings the natural way, but they will also help keep you feel fuller for longer.
 

They will help settle upset tummies

The festive season often comes with plenty of sides and overindulging which can lead to upset tummies and feeling like you are in a perpetual food coma. Ginger has often been used as a means of settling upset tummies making these muffins the perfect breakfast or lunch snack after a big family dinner. As a natural anti-inflammatory, studies have shown that ginger may aid in settling upset stomachs as well as helping minimize the onset of nausea and pain
Time to get baking!

2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 
2 eggs 
1 tbsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 scoop vegan vanilla protein 
½ cup (120g) Greek yogurt
¼ cup maple syrup 
1 cup almond milk
2 cups flour 
1 ½ tsp. baking powder

Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a muffin tray with muffin cases. 

Step 2: Add your flour, protein, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir until combined leaving a well in the centre.  

Step 3: Add all remaining ingredients into the well centre and mix until a smooth batter forms. 
 
Step 4: Scoop the batter into prepared muffin cases and place into the oven to bake for approximately 15-20mins or until golden. 
 
Enjoy!