Healthier Holiday Inspired Treats

We all love a good treat—you know those nights where you have a little sweet tooth? We all get them. I love keeping a few healthier treat ideas in my back pocket for those weeknights (as my grandson Judah says), “I just need a little somethin.” 🤪

And don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my good old fashioned homemade Christmas cookies. I make the same ones every single year— but I don’t want to be eating those every single night.

So, here are five quick and simple recipes for you! ❤️

1. Cinnamon Baked Apples

Ingredients:

• 4 large apples, cored and sliced

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp nutmeg

• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Place the sliced apples in a baking dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.

3. Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the apples and top with chopped nuts.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the apples are soft and golden.

5. Serve warm- if you’re feeling wild, throw a little scoop of vanilla ice cream!

2. Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

• 1/4 cup peanut or almond butter (make sure it’s unsweetened!)

• 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined.

2. Roll the mixture into small balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

3. No-Bake Gingerbread Cheesecake Cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 3 tbsp molasses

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• Graham crackers, crushed

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, Greek yogurt, molasses, ginger, and cinnamon. Mix until smooth.

2. Spoon a layer of crushed graham crackers into the bottom of small cups or jars.

3. Top with the cream cheese mixture.

4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.

4. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

• 10 oz dark chocolate, 70% cocoa or higher

• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

• Crushed peppermint candies

Instructions:

1. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.

2. Stir in the peppermint extract and pour the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the chocolate.

4. Refrigerate until firm, then break into pieces and serve.

5. Fruit and Nut Holiday Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dates, pitted

• 1/2 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), finely chopped

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, blend dates until they form a paste.

2. Add nuts, cranberries, coconut, and vanilla extract, and pulse until well combined.

3. Roll the mixture into small balls and coat with extra shredded coconut.

4. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Save this page and give some of these recipes a try. I hope they spark some inspo for you.

Here we go Christmas season! 🎄