Over the past few years, I’ve become more and more interested in healthy cooking and meals that are good for you, but also don’t forego your tastebuds. When it comes to desserts, this is tricky. Desserts equal sugar, and any kind of sugar is not great to consume in large amounts. Studies have shown that it can produce a variety of negative impacts in the body. But, there are some sugars out there that are “better” than your conventional white sugar, like:
- coconut sugar
- stevia
- monkfruit
- medjool dates
- high-quality honey
- high-quality pure maple syrup
It’s been fun to experiment with making “healthier” desserts. What you think would be far from Grandma’s famous cookies, are surprisingly GOOD. I thought I would share some of the “healthier” desserts that I have been liking lately.
GINGER COOKIES
These Ginger Cookies were so good, and on the healthier side using gluten free flours and coconut sugar to sweeten. The molasses date caramel topping was also so delicious! They are a festive cookie that look great on display. 🙂 I will definitely be making these again.
The recipe can be found in the Laura Lea Balanced Cookbook.
SAMOA COOKIE BARS
These Samoa Cookie Bars are…YUM! Made with ingredients like coconut flour, almond flour, medjool dates, and coconut flakes, you will not be missing the traditional Samoa girl scout cookie after you make these.
You can find this recipe on HU Chocolate’s website.
APPLE CRISP
Who doesn’t love an Apple Crisp, especially in the Fall. Apple Crisp is an easy recipe to make into a “healther” dessert. I’ve tried a few different recipes, but this recipe by Paelo Running Mama was one that got my attention. It has minimal ingredients and is easy to pull together. Like any other apple crisp, peeling the apples (if that’s what your prefer) is what is most time consuming. Give this one a try if you’re planning a cozy night in on a cold night. 🙂
You can find this recipe on Paleo Running Mama’s Blog.
OTHER DESSERTS THAT ARE QUICK AND SIMPLE
- DATES STUFFED W/ NUTBUTTER
For a quick sweet treat, stuff one or two medjool dates with some nut butter (I prefer almond butter) and sprinkling with cinnamon. It satisfies the sweet tooth, while also giving you a boost of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. - PEANUT BUTTER BANANA “ICECREAM”
I like to combine a frozen banana, a hefty scoop of all-natural peanut butter, and some coconut or almond milk in a blender. Once you have blended, put the mixture in the freezer to really get that ice cream consistency. Sprinkle with toppings like extra banana, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or cinnamon! - A SMOOTHIE WITH PROTEIN AND GREENS
If you want to curb a sweet tooth, try making a nutrient dense protein smoothie. Do a quick Google search and you’ll have several recipes at your finger tips. I recently started following Earthy Andy on Instagram and purchased her cookbook. She looks to be the queen of making a great smoothie (and her feed makes me want to go back to Hawaii)! So, I suggest checking her out for ideas.
In addition to adding your standard fruit to your smoothie like bananas, pineapple, or blueberries, I also like to include a high quality vegan protein like this one or this one. Including protein leaves me feeling full and not grabbing sugary snacks an hour later. And, last but not least, try to incorporate some greens or veggies into your smoothie like spinach, kale, or riced cauliflower. My personal preference is buying [organic] fresh spinach and freezing it to be ready for smoothie consumption!
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