Healthy Holiday Treats With Secret Ingredients
- Nov 7, 2016
- 3 min read
With the holidays getting nearer we tend to spend more time with family and friends, go to gatherings and parties, and of course eat more food. And when I say food I don't just mean mashed potatoes, turkey, and dinner rolls, but many sweets as well. Let's face it, many of us don't have much self control over the holiday season and we notice our pants feeling a little snug. But, it doesn't always have to be like that. Let me share a couple of recipes for sweets that are healthy, just as delicious, and with hidden ingredients. Your family and friends won't even notice the difference. Try them out!
Zucchini Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients:
2 Large Eggs
1 T Vanilla Extract
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/4 Tsp Salt
2 Cups Peeled & Grated Zucchini
1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 8x8 pan. In large bowl mix eggs, vanilla, sugar, and applesauce. In separate bowl mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently stir until combined. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Pour batter into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Top with extra chocolate chips if desired, let cool and enjoy!
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 T Cornstarch
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Ripe Bananas
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. Mix together flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt in medium bowl. In a separate bowl, cream butter, bananas, applesauce, and sugars until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract and then the flour mixture until just combined. Don't overmix. Add in chocolate chips and refrigerate dough for about 30 minutes. Drop rounded spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets and bake 9-10 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!
Rice Crispy Treats
Ingredients:
2 Cups Crispy Rice Cereal
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Maple Syrup or Honey (Your Choice)
Directions:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl add crispy rice cereal. Using the stove or microwave melt the peanut butter with the sweetener of your choice. Pour the mixture into the crispy rice cereal and stir well. You may need to add a bit more to help the rice cereal stick together. Once sticky press firmly into baking sheet until even and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. Enjoy!
Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients:
3 Cups Quick Cooking Oats
1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
Directions:
Grease a 9x9 pan with cooking spray. Heat a medium sauce pan and melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, applesauce, and vanilla. Mix in oats and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes or until well blended. Put half mixture into pan and press down until spread evenly. Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in small pan over low heat stirring frequently. Pour over oat mixture and spread evenly. Press the remaining oat mixture gently over the chocolate. Cover pan and refrigerate 2-3 hours or for best results overnight. Remove from refrigerator and allow to heat to room temperature before cutting and serving. Enjoy!
Comments