6 Holiday Dessert Recipes Made Healthy
By Brandi Swieter
Desserts are popular throughout the holiday season. Many get-togethers involve a favorite family recipe or a traditional offering, such as pumpkin pie. Most of these options are not healthy and require a makeover of the common desserts people so often love. Holiday dessert recipes can be made healthy if some substitutions are made and the right versions are created.
Ambrosia Trifle
Most ambrosia recipes offer some variation of pineapples and coconut along with other fruit offerings. The ambrosia trifle is a delicious holiday offering that looks fit for the part. Pineapple, oranges, pink and red grapefruit, coconut, and angel food cake come together to give this dish a festive look.
Whole Wheat Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are typically seen on many buffet tables around the holidays. They're also sold in stores in excess. Creating a whole wheat version is a better solution that lessens the calorie count and limits the sugar content. One cookie is still over 100 calories though, so people need to stick with just one to satisfy their sweet tooth without overdoing it.
Cranberry-Nut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are popular anytime of year. They aren't a healthy option, though. Cranberry-nut chocolate chip cookies, however, add some nutrition to the mix. Using oats, cranberries, walnuts, and whole wheat flour with the rest of the typical chocolate chip cookie ingredients helps to keep the calorie count lower than usual. One cookie is just 75 calories so grabbing two shouldn't make you feel too guilty.
Quick-Baked Pears
Pears are plentiful in the fall and winter seasons when holidays roll around. Quick-baked pears make an easy treat to enjoy. Just a sprinkle of cinnamon, cranberries, and granola on top can help make this dish truly dessert-worthy. Add a scoop of frozen yogurt for an even bigger surprise.
Pumpkin Pie
The tried and true dessert, pumpkin pie will also be a favorite on the menu. It's just a matter of lightening the option to make it more worthwhile to all. Using coconut milk trims the fat and calories. Creating a homemade version with pure pumpkin is also best to gain all the benefits it offers.
Chocolate Marble Cake
Cake is also a favorite among many. A chocolate marble cake that uses applesauce and almond milk offers a tasty and healthier solution. Unsweetened chocolate and whole wheat pastry flour are key in this recipe.
Creating healthy holiday desserts is possible. Simply find a worthwhile recipe and make a healthy option that can be enjoyed by all. Either stick with a common choice, such as a pie, and just make it lighter in calories and sugar or try an entirely new health food option that is just as tasty and could be on the new favorite list for all.
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