Santa’s top 5 cheat-free sweets are actually good for you.
It’s ever so tempting to over-indulge during the holidays. But guess what? You don’t have to! From sugar-free chocolate truffles to good-for-you cheesecake, these healthy holiday treats will jumpstart your New Year’s resolution a bit earlier this year. Even better, you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the good stuff. Check out our top 5 healthy holiday cheat-free sweets that will make both you and Santa swoon.
Keto Holiday Chocolate Truffles
Nothing says “the holidays” quite like these little balls of chocolatey yum, minus the extra sugar!
Related: Healthy 5-Course Holiday Meal Perfect for Your Weight Loss Goals
Yields 15
Ingredients:
1 cup dark chocolate chips, melted
1 medium avocado, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ cup cocoa powder
Instructions:
- Combine the melted chocolate with the avocado, vanilla and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until smooth. Place in the refrigerator to firm up—15 to 20 minutes.
- Once the chocolate mixture has stiffened, use an ice cream scoop or small spoon to scoop approximately 1 tbsp chocolate mixture. Roll chocolate in the palm of your hand until round, then roll in cocoa powder.
Kiwi and Strawberry Holiday Tree
Get creative with this colorful and healthy 2-ingredient dessert guaranteed to please your wee little dinner guests.
Ingredients:
18 kiwis
1 punnet of strawberries
Instructions:
- Peel and slice the kiwi fruit into discs. Reserve some skin for the tree trunk. Cut the strawberries. Keep the stem of one strawberry for decorative purposes.
- Arrange kiwi in the shape of a tree on a large, rectangular platter. Layer the fruit to leave no gaps in your tree. Place sliced strawberries on top.
- Place kiwi skin at the bottom to form the tree trunk.
- Place the stem of a strawberry on the top of the tree to form a star.
Strawberry Santas
Santa just got a lot cuter and way healthier!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
For the icing:
¼ cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Santas:
12 large strawberries
1 large banana
24 mini chocolate chips
Special equipment: Pastry bag fitted with a small star piping tip. If you don’t have a piping bag, transfer the frosting to the strawberries with a spoon.
Instructions:
For the frosting:
- Using an electric mixer, beat the mascarpone and vanilla until smooth in a medium-sized bowl. Using a spatula, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small star piping tip.
For the Santas:
- Cut off the stem of each strawberry to make a flat surface. Cut a ½- to ¾-inch piece from the pointed end of each strawberry and reserve as the hats.
- Place the strawberries, wide-side down, on a work surface. Pipe the frosting on each strawberry or use a spoon to transfer the mixture to each strawberry. Then, place a banana on top of the frosting.
- Place the hats on top and pipe a small ball of frosting on top of the hats. Press two chocolate chips, pointed-sides inward, into the swirl of frosting to make eyes.
Healthy Crustless Pumpkin Pie
This easy-to-make pumpkin pie recipe is gonna blow your mind! Creamy, healthy and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup!
Serves 9
Ingredients:
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
3 eggs
¼ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup coconut sugar (or organic cane sugar)
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (any milk will work)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a large bowl, add the pumpkin puree, eggs, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, allspice and salt. Mix until completely smooth. Place baking paper in pie pan and pour mixture over.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until filling is no longer jiggly. If it is getting a little too golden brown, simply cover pie edges with foil or a pie shield.
- Allow pie to cool for at least an hour before serving. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Vegan Eggnog Cheesecake
This crowd-pleaser combines two irresistible holiday yummies—eggnog and cheesecakes—into a to-die-for after-dinner treat. Who knew it could be so deliciously healthy?
Serves 8
Ingredients:
1 12-ounce package extra-firm light silken tofu
1 8-ounce package Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese
¾ cup sugar
½ cup vegan eggnog
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 ½ tablespoons brandy or rum
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg packed
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 prepared graham cracker or oatmeal cookie crust
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Drain the tofu and put it and the Tofutti cream cheese into your food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Add the sugar and eggnog and process until sugar is dissolved—about 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and process until completely smooth—about 3 minutes.
- Bake in the middle of the oven for about 55 minutes (do not allow it to brown). The pie filling might be a bit jiggly when you remove from the oven. It will set after it cools.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool. Refrigerate until completely chilled. Sprinkle grated nutmeg on top and serve.
That’s a Holiday Wrap
We knew what would be on your gift list—easy-to-make holiday desserts that taste great and are good for you. You’re welcome! And if you’re craving more, head to Gymondo and explore 1000+ delicious and nutritious recipes.
Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy holiday season!
