Image Courtesy of Toby Scammell
Often, a healthy diet is sabotaged by unhealthy cravings. Sure, you get the salad part down, and the lean proteins are a breeze, but when the clock strikes a certain hour, you find yourself craving something sweet, and the apple you had for a snack just is not cutting it. Thankfully, healthy and tasty baked treats exist and curb cravings without throwing you off track.
Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Cake
This recipe begins with a cup and a half of whole wheat flour, but for the ultimate health kick, almond flour can be substituted. Next, you will need:
- 3/4 cup of whole milk
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 2 medium lemons, for zest and juice
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup of fresh blueberries
- 2 teaspoons of honey
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, zest both lemons into the sugar and then add the wet ingredients before adding in the dry ones. Fold in the blueberries and bake at 350 degrees for fifty minutes.
Banana Cake
- 2 cups whole wheat o almond flour
- 3 mashed ripe bananas
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 egg
Whisk the dry ingredients together before blending the wet ingredients. Incorporate the wet and dry ingredients slowly before baking at 350 degrees for twenty-five minutes.
Cinnamon Pecan Cookies
- 2 cups of pecans
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 10 pitted dates that have been soaked in water for at least fifteen minutes
Begin by draining the dates. Next, combine all of the ingredients in a food processor until they reach a dough-like consistency. Form balls and drop them on a greased or lined baking sheet before baking at 350 degrees for ten minutes.
Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 1 1/2 cups of cashew or almond butter
- 1 Tablespoon of maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of sea salt
- 1/4 cup of extra dark chocolate chips
Excluding the chocolate chips, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until well combined. Next, fold in the chocolate chips and drop formed cookie balls on a greased baking sheet. At 350 degrees, bake for ten minutes.
Sweet Potato Brownies
- 1 cooked, mashed sweet potato
- 1 and 1/2 cup of almond butter
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder
Combine all of the ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for twelve to fifteen minutes.
So there you have it: desserts can, in fact, be healthy. Whether you make substitutions for unhealthy, processed flours or opt for a healthier sweetener like honey, cravings are no match for your culinary hacks!
Now that you’ve got a great dessert, check out the other delicious recipes we have! We know you’ll find something you and your family will love and will want to add to your personal recipe collection.
