“All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt” – Charles M. Schulz
It can be really hard to cut dessert out entirely, and you really shouldn’t have to! Pay attention to what you’re putting in your body — but don’t feel like you can never enjoy yourself. Moderation is key.
If you’re someone who likes to enjoy an occasional treat, there are options with cleaner ingredients — and I’ve got the perfect list for you right here!
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Raise your hand if you’re a chocolate lover!
This twist on a traditional pudding packs in some fiber as well as other vitamins and minerals from the Chia seeds. You’ll love the smooth, rich taste without all the unnecessary sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder or cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dairy-free milk
- ¼ cup chia seeds
Garnish
- raspberries (or other fruit)
- chocolate shavings
- coconut whipped cream
- nuts and seeds
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl, add the cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, dairy-free milk, and chia seeds. Whisk together until all ingredients are combined.
- Leave the mixture in the bowl for 15 minutes without stirring for the chia seeds to gel. After 15 minutes, whisk it together one more time.
- Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator overnight or a minimum of 4 hours.
- Remove the chocolate chia seed pudding from the fridge and stir together with a spoon. Serve into small dessert sized glasses. Top with your favorite fruit, chocolate shavings, or other garnishes.
Easy, creamy, and delicious!
Strawberry Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark
This one is a family favorite. Like an ice cream treat — but better. (And better for you!)
You can make this any way you’d like. Mix it up with different kinds of berries, nuts, and dark chocolate! You’ll love the variety of options with this one.
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole-milk plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups sliced strawberries
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir yogurt, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla in a medium bowl. Spread on the prepared baking sheet into a 10-by-15-inch rectangle. Scatter the strawberries on top and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Freeze until very firm, at least 3 hours. To serve, cut or break into 32 pieces.
Don’t let the kids eat it all. Save some for yourself to enjoy too!
Peanut Butter Cookies
Do you drool a little at the thought of peanut butter? This one’s a goodie.
Don’t let the name fool you! These “cookies” are a great alternative to the traditional kind. Enjoy from time to time without all the added fillers.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup almond flour
- flaked sea salt for topping if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla into a mixing bowl. Once combined, add in almond flour and stir until incorporated.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Alternatively, you can scoop dough with a spoon and roll it into a ball.
- Flatten each dough ball with a fork, making a crisscross pattern and sprinkle a little flaked sea salt on top of each cookie, if using.
- Bake in a preheated oven for about 12 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Remove from the oven, allow cookies to cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy all the nutty, crunchy goodness!
Blueberry Crumble
Is there anything better than a crumble filling your home with sweet smells?
Oats, cinnamon, and blueberries are a great, healthier combo to gobs of sugar in other desserts — not to mention just the right amount of tart and sweet.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup whole wheat flour or millet* flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup, room temperature
- 1 ½ tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 6 cups of blueberries
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and coat an 8”square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- To prepare the topping, whisk together the oats, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour in the maple syrup and melted butter. Stir until fully incorporated.
- To prepare the filling, toss the blueberries with the cornstarch in a large bowl until completely coated.
- Transfer the filling to the prepared pan, and sprinkle evenly with the topping. (The topping tends to clump, so break it up into really small pieces!) Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes or until the juice is bubbling at the sides of the pan. Cool completely to room temperature; then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving to allow the juices to fully thicken.
You’ll be watching the oven with wide eyes until it’s ready to enjoy!
Sweet Potato Brownies
You might be questioning how well sweet potatoes go with chocolate — but it’s surprisingly rich and oh-so-good.
Brownies are usually the kind of dessert to enjoy on special occasions, but with a few cleaner ingredients, you can enjoy them more often!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato
- 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup cacao powder
- 3 tbsp coconut sugar optional
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup chocolate chip divided in half
Instructions
- Bake sweet potatoes and mash in a mixing bowl with a fork
- Add 1/2 cup almond butter and two eggs to the mashed sweet potatoes
- Mix the wet ingredients well until smooth
- Add 1/3 cup cacao powder, coconut sugar (if using any) and 1/4 tsp baking soda
- Fold in 1/4 cup chocolate chips, and/or Swirl 2 tbsp nut butter on top and Spread the rest of the chocolate chips.
- Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees F
- Add the brownie batter to a parchment paper-lined 8×8 baking pan. Swirl extra nut butter on top if preferred. Sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips on top and a little sea salt.
- Bake for 21 – 24 minutes or to preferred doneness.
- Cut the brownie into squares once it cools for 10 minutes.
Everyone will be asking for this recipe!
Sweet Treats
Keep in mind that any kind of treat, even those with cleaner ingredients, should be portioned out and enjoyed in moderation. However often you enjoy them, you will feel better about switching out packaged goods with suspicious ingredients for better-for-you whole food options.
Plus… you’ll LOVE the taste of real ingredients made right from your own kitchen!
Find the recipes here:
https://downshiftology.com/recipes/chocolate-chia-pudding/
https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259080/strawberry-chocolate-greek-yogurt-bark/
https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/peanut-butter-cookies/
https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2016/06/23/the-ultimate-healthy-blueberry-crumble/
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