Sugar and butter are among many potentially unhealthy ingredients found in most Christmas favorites. From sugar cookies to homemade gingerbread, holiday desserts can contain an unhealthy amount of certain ingredients that make for a calorie-filled Christmas. But your sweets don’t have to come with a side of guilt. Here are a few Christmas desserts you won’t feel guilty eating:
Peppermint Chocolate Crunch Bar:
1 ½ cups vegan chocolate chips
2 teaspoons of coconut oil
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
¾ cup rice crisp cereal
Directions: Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals until melted. Add peppermint, then add cereal to the bowl. Use a spatula to mix, then transfer the mixture to a pan. Freeze for 10-15 minutes.
Paleo Gingerbread Cookies
1 medium sweet potato
⅓ cup coconut flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons molasses
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and dry sweet potato and pierce a couple times with a fork. Microwave for five minutes or until soft. Scoop sweet potato into a bowl, add coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt and molasses. Stir until combined, mold into cookies and cook for 10-12 minutes.
Apple Crisp:
4 peeled apples, sliced in ¼ inch pieces
1 tablespoon coconut oil
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Topping:
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup old fashioned oats
⅓ cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and cut the apples and melt the coconut oil to mix with cinnamon and ginger. Set aside. Mix the topping ingredients together. Place the apples in a baking dish and add the rest of the topping ingredients. Mix together and pour over apples. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
Steve Anderson