Every year one or two weeks before Christmas, my friend Melissa and I get together and do our annual Christmas baking extravaganza! We bake all kinds of goodies to give away to friends, family, neighbors etc. And with growing families, our lists of who we want to bake for are getting larger and larger.
What started years ago before we had kids, was a fun event where our husbands stayed out of sight for most of the day and only joined us when we were finished to eat and sample more than enough of our sweet treats, has transformed into a quick afternoon where the hubbies are “supposed” to watch our toddlers play, while us moms are baking away. Let’s just say last year we didn’t make as many goodies as we wanted to, as the daddy-daycare wasn’t as good as we needed it to be! Finally this year, we decided that we would have no kids, no hubbies, and no distractions and take a whole day off of work to bake with Christmas music in the background – just the two of us gals and a messy kitchen!
My husband always says “the first year was the best year.” Probably because he only remembers eating all the mini skor bar cheesecakes I made! And the second year we ended up burning some treats, and then melting shortbread cookies cause the oven was too hot, but that’s another story for another day! However, this year as a recent graduate and Registered Holistic Nutritionist I just can’t bring myself to make all the blood sugar spiking, metabolic disease promoting sweets made with white flour and white sugar that may taste oh-so-yummy but aren’t oh-so-great for anybody’s health. So this year, I’m baking up some of my favorite healthier and cleaner sweets, all from recipe bloggers, and made with real food ingredients that I’m sure you’ll also love.
Let the baking extravaganza begin!!
1.Raw Peppermint Patties by Fork&Beans.com
Dark chocolate, strong peppermint – who doesn’t love the combination? Especially these ones which are full of healthy fiber and fat from shredded coconut, natural sweetness from maple syrup, and dark chocolate.
My Tips: using a food processor will take some time, but be patient. Double up the recipe for better blending results, and if you have a highpowered blender like a VitaMix, use it and blending time will be super quick.
photo:Fork & Beans
2. Pecan Pie Cookies by AllergyFreeAlaska.com
Subtly sweet shortbread topped with pecan pie filling, and they’re paleo and vegan to boot! (if that suits your fancy!)
I love this recipe because it’s full of natural sweetness and fiber from the dates, and healthy fats from the almonds and pecans!
Photo: Allergy Free Alaska
3. No-Bake Chocolate-Peanut Butter Coconut Macaroons by cookinggodsway.com
So yummy; chocolaty and peanut-buttery! So easy to make that you can get your kids involved. They don’t last long, and taste best chilled outta the fridge.
My Tips: you may need more coconut if you use the really small shredded kind. If your mix is too runny, don’t be afraid to add more shredded coconut.
Photo: Cooking God’s Way
4. Peanut Butter Turtles by Raiasrecipes.com
Move over turtles in the orange stripped box filled with bad for you ingredients. These easy to make real food turtles will have you devouring them as fast as you can make them! An easy recipe for little helpers too!
Photo: Raias Recipes
5. Healthy Gingerbread Cookies by mywholefoodlife.com
These little men contain little fat, and no processed sugar, and use apple sauce which makes them a bit softer than the gingerbread men you’re used to.
Photo: My Whole Food Life
6. Paleo Thin Mints by LexisCleanKitchen.com
A taste of the mint chocolatey Girl Guide cookies, but without all the calories and fat!
Photo: Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
I’d love to know, what healthier, whole food sweets and treats will you be baking this Christmas?
