‘Tis the season for scarves, hot cocoa, snowball fights, family, friends and of course, EATING. Here are some healthy dessert recipes to help you get through the holidays without feeling guilty come January 1st.

Quick and Easy Fudge Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup        almond butter

2 tbsp       coconut oil, melted

½ cup       almonds, finely ground

¼ cup       chopped dried cherries

¼ cup       organic honey (I typically add an extra tablespoon or two)

½ cup       raw cacao powder

½ cup       unsweetened coconut, finely ground or shredded (I like to toast mine)

½ tsp        cinnamon

¼ tsp        sea salt (plus a little extra to sprinkle on top if desired)

1 tsp         vanilla

Preparation

1. Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and thoroughly mix (prepare for an arm workout!). Could also combine in food processor and pulse until well mixed. 
2. Spread into an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan or dish lined with parchment paper.
3. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to set, then cut into 1 inch pieces. Sprinkle with more sea salt before serving if desired. 

 

Orange Pomegranate Chocolate Bark

Ingredients

1/2 cup      cacao powder

1/4 cup      pure maple syrup

1/2 cup      coconut oil, melted

1 tbsp        fresh orange zest (do NOT get the white pith of the orange as it is quite bitter)

1/2 tsp       sea salt

1 small       pomegranate, deseeded

Preparation

1. In a bowl, mix the cacao, maple syrup, coconut oil, orange zest and sea salt until combined well
2. Spread into a 9×9 baking pan or dish lined with parchment paper. Top with pomegranate seeds
3. Freeze for 20-30 minutes to set, then break into pieces. Sprinkle with more sea salt before serving if desired. 

 

Sweet Potato Brownies (Recipe From Functional Foods)

Ingredients

1 large       sweet potato

1 cup         almond butter

1/3 cup      pure maple syrup

1/2 cup      cacao powder

1 tsp          baking powder

2 tbsp       ground flax seed

1 tbsp        chia seeds

4 tbsp       water

1/4 cup      unsweetened almond milk

1 tsp          vanilla extract

1 cup         dark chocolate chunks

Preparation

1. Wash and peel the sweet potato. Cut into large chunks. Boil potatoes for 10-12 minutes or until soft.
2. Mash the sweet potato until smooth and then mix in all ingredients EXCEPT the dark chocolate chunks. Once thoroughly mixed, fold in the dark chocolate chunks.
3. Pour batter into a parchment-lined 9×13 brownie pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-17 minutes

 

Raw Brownies (Recipe From Darlene Easton, LAc)

Ingredients

2 cups         whole walnuts

2.5 cups      Medjool dates, pitted

1 cup           cacao powder

1 cup           raw, unsalted almonds, roughly chopped

1/4 tsp         sea salt

Preparation

1. Place walnuts in food processor and blend on high until the nuts are finely ground.
2. Add the cacao powder and salt. Pulse to combine.
3. Add dates one at a time through the feed tube of the food processor while the food processor is running. You want a mix that looks crumbly but will easily stick when pressed together. If the mixture isn’t sticking easily, add more dates until it does.
4. Place the mixture from the food processor in a bowl and mix in the almonds. Press into a parchment lined cake pan. Place in the refrigerator to set for 2-3 hours. Cut into 2 inch squares as soon as it is removed from the refrigerator.