10 Guilt-Free Sweet Treats

 Every now and then I like to indulge in something sweet, but I don't like to eat your typical store bought desserts; they are loaded with sugar and other chemicals that I just don’t want to put in my body.

 

Below are my top 10 go-to “desserts.”  They are all made with organic ingredients and not one of them has white sugar!  These are sweets that actually have nutrition in them, so no need to feel guilty about eating them!

 

 

Homemade Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream

 

This is one of my summer favorites.  It’s a custard-like ice cream that melts nicely in your mouth.  It is very rich, so you don’t need a lot to get your chocolate fix. 

 

Ingredients:

2 cups raw, organic whipping cream (I love Brookford Farm in Rollinsford, NH!)

1/3 cup cacao powder

1 1/2 tsp organic vanilla extract 

1/4 cup raw cacao nibs

4 large egg yolks

1/2 cup raw honey

 

Directions:

1.  Whisk together cream and cacao powder in small saucepan until smooth.

2.  Place over medium heat and bring mixture to scalding point (milk begins to foam.)

3.  Add cacao nips and stir until chips slightly melt (you can try to melt them all the way, but I personally like the chips.)

4.  In a stainless steel bowl, beat the egg yolks with honey until light and fluffy.  A hand mixer works best.

5.  Gradually pour hot cream & cacao mixture into whipped egg mixture, making sure you keep whisking constantly so eggs do not curdle.  If lumps, form strain mixture before heating.

6. Place bowl of a saucepan of simmering water.  Stir constantly with wooden spoon until custard thickens enough that it coats the back of a spoon. (The term "coat the spoon" is a way to test if egg-based custard is done.  The wooden spoon is place in the custard and when raised, he film of the custard on the back of the spoon should stay in place even when you draw a line with your finger through the middle of the custard.)

7. Immediately remove the custard from the heat and continue to stir the custard so it does not overcook.  

8. Cover and let cool to room temperature then refrigerate until completely cold (several hours or overnight.)

9. Transfer cold custard to ice cream machine and follow manufacturer's instructions (it usually takes about 25 minutes).

10. Once made, transfer to a glass or ceramic container and store in your freezer. 

 

Strawberry Shortcake from Scratch

 

I got this recipe from my boyfriend’s mom.  She made it for us as part of our celebratory Fourth of July dinner.  It was so good I had to add it to my list!

 

Whipped Cream and Topping Ingredients:

1 pint raw whipping cream

3 containers organic strawberries, cut

1 container organic blueberries

 

Shortcake Ingredients:

 2 cups organic Spelt flour

1 tbsp organic baking powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

2/3 cup raw Brookford farm milk

8 tbsp Kate's butter (softened)

2 tbsp raw honey

1 organic egg

 

Directions for Shortcake:

1. Mix all ingredients together, slightly knead dough together.
2.  Roll out dough on floured surface and cut 3" round biscuits (1/2 inch deep.)
3. Place on ungreased cooking sheet, bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
4.  Let cool.

  

Strawberry Sauce Ingredients:

use 1 of the 3 containers of fresh strawberries, cut

1/2 fresh organic lemon, juice

1 tsp. raw honey

 

Directions for Strawberry Sauce:

1. Mix all ingredients together in saucepan over medium heat.  Crush and stir berries until warm.
2. set aside and cool.

 

Assemble shortcakes by layering sliced, cooled shortcake; alternate shortcake, strawberry sauce, fresh cut strawberries and repeat.  Top with fresh whipped cream and organic blueberries.

 

 

Crushed Dates Rolled in Coconut

 

When I want something quick, and I don’t have the time to make something, this is the perfect sweet snack.  I usually eat one with a small glass of raw milk to offset the sugar; otherwise, I’d experience a serious sugar crash shortly after eating it.  You’ll find that you don't need to eat a lot of these; there’s plenty of sweetness in just one!

 

Ingredients:

Dates

Crushed coconut

 

I buy these premade at my local natural food store, the A Market, but you can easily make them yourself.  Simply mash up some dates and toll them in coconut.  The combination is AMAZING!  It reminds me of a Samoa Girl Scout cookie, but a much healthier version, of course!

 

Chocolate Chip Yogurt

 

This is a healthy substitute for chocolate chip ice cream.  It’s not only yummy, but super quick and easy to make.

 

Ingredients:

1 cup of plain, organic yogurt

1 dash of stevia

2 tbsp of raw cacao nibs

 

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

 

 

Homemade Zucchini Bread

 

This time of the year is the perfect time to make zucchini bread.  As part of my local, organic CSA we get a lot of zucchini (and they are HUGE!)  Instead of always grilling or sautéing them with dinner, I use some to make bread.

 

Ingredients:

3 cups spelt flour

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

3 eggs

1 cup olive oil

1 cup raw honey

3 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup chopped walnuts

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Grease and flour two 8x4 pans.
3. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon together in a bowl.
4. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla and honey together in a large bowl.  Add sifted ingredients and beat well.
5. Stir in zucchini and nuts.
6. Pour batter into pans.
7. Bake for 40-60 minutes or until inserted tester comes out clean.
8. Cool in pan for 20 minutes.
9. Remove from pan and cool completely.

 

 

Chocolate, Almond Smoothie

 

This is my favorite sweet treat!  Growing up I always loved chocolate frappes and this is the perfect substitute for me to get my “fix.”  It really is awesome!

 

Ingredients:

8-10oz raw, organic milk or almond milk

1 date rolled in coconut

1 tbsp raw, almond butter

t tbsp raw honey

1 fresh or frozen banana

1 tbsp raw cacao powder

 

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and blend until creamy.

 

 

 

Banana with Honey-Nut English Muffin

 

I don’t actually eat a lot of bread, but on the rare occasion that I do, it’s usually a gluten-free English muffin.  And, I prefer to dress it up a bit with some healthy, sweet toppings.  This is a quick treat you can make ahead of time and pack with your for lunch.

 

Ingredients:

1 Organic English muffin

1 tbsp raw almond or peanut butter

1 tsp raw honey

½ sliced banana

1 tsp cacao nibs (optional; not pictured)

 

Directions:

1. Toast English muffin to your liking.
2. Spread raw honey on each slice.
3. Spread almond butter on each slice.
4. Top with sliced bananas
5. If desired, sprinkle with cacao nibs.

 

 

Apple with Cinnamon Yogurt

 

Apples and cinnamon yogurt are a staple in my daily diet!  This recipe is what I usually have for a nighttime snack before bed.  I think you’ll find it to be a simple and savory snack.

 

Ingredients:

½ green apple, sliced

1 cup plain, organic yogurt

1 scoop of stevia NOW

dash of cinnamon to taste

1 tbsp crushed flax seeds

2 tbsp crushed nuts (almonds, pecans and walnuts)

 

Directions:

1. Combine all of the above ingredients except the apple slices.
2. Dip each apple slice in the yogurt before each biteJ

 

 

Vanilla Smoothie

 

This is my boyfriend’s favorite sweet treat.  It’s a healthy substitute for a vanilla milk shake.  I usually make enough for 3-4 servings and store them in large glass containers so he can grab one quickly on his way out the door to work in the morning. 

 

Ingredients:

8-10oz raw, organic milk or almond milk

1 date rolled in coconut

t tbsp raw honey

1 fresh or frozen banana

1 tsp vanilla extract (or you can use fresh vanilla bean)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and blend until creamy.

 

 

 

Chocolate Coconut Cookies

 

I buy these at my local natural food store, but if you have a dehydrator, you can easily make them yourself; it’s probably a lot less costly if you make them yourself in bulk.  I usually dip each cookie in almond butter to get that that chocolately-nutty combo.  These are great to take on the road or pack for a picnic.

 

Ingredients:

Organic coconut

Sprouted organic sesame seeds

Organic dates

Organic cacao

 

 

 

 

 

To share these sweet treats with your friends and family click the “like” button.

 

I hope you enjoy all of these goodies as much as I do!  Let me know by leaving me a comment!

 

To curbing your sweet tooth with a healthy fix,

 

Melissa Koerner