You’re not the only one with a need for anything nice during these days of social distancing. Heavy cravings, such as those for sweets, are common when you’re going through a difficult emotional period, whether that’s due to financial stress, health problems, or work pressure, as per the Mayo Clinic. Although eating sugary foods regularly is a no-no, a little indulgence now and then is alright. You can also replace typical cupcakes and doughnuts with even more nutrient-dense dessert choices made with whole food ingredients if you’d rather be extra conscious of what you’re putting in your body.
As the world becomes increasingly stressful and unpredictable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, brushing off your mixer and whipping up something sweet may sound like a good way to raise your spirits.
1. Chocolate Pistachio Truffles
If you can’t get to your favourite candy store, here’s what you can do. Brissette has a basic truffle recipe that you should try. Shelled pistachios, raw cacao, 100% pure maple syrup, with vanilla extract are the only four ingredients in these delicious and healthy bites.
1 cup shelled pistachios, lightly salted, 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder), 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup from Canada, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract is all you need for the authentic recipe.
2. Popsicles of Blackberry Cheesecake
Popsicles of Blackberry Cheesecake: This simple dessert recipe is both refreshing and nutritious, thanks to the antioxidant-rich blackberries. And as well, to make these treats, you’ll need just six readily available whole food items!
Here’s the recipe:
8 ounces organic processed cream cheese or non-dairy soy-free cream cheese, 1/4 – 1/3 cup light coloured natural honey, 1 cup raw, natural or grass-fed milk or full-fat coconut milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons grass-fed collagen (it’s the only grass-fed collagen we suggest) and 1 cup fresh or frozen fresh blackberries.
3. Chia Pudding with Cocoa and Coconut
You’ve already heard of chia seeds, though there is a valid reason to stock up on them. “Because chia seeds are high in nutrition, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, combining them with antioxidant-rich cocoa powder is a lovely combo,” explains Ginger Hultin.
Here is the recipe:
1 and a half cup of unsweetened carton coconut milk, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and ½ cup chia seeds.
4. French Lemon Yogurt Cake
This convenient French cake is loaded with the zesty goodness of lemon and is so light that you really can eat it at any moment of the day. Serve with unsweetened raspberry jam or lemon cream cheese buttercream on top and make your cake even more decadent. Here’s how to make lemon cake.
1 and a half cups all-purpose flour 210g pure flour, 2 teaspoon baking powder, 14 teaspoon salt, 1 cup sugar 200g, 1 lemon zest (from 1 lemon), 34 cups of plain yoghurt 180ml, 3 eggs, one-fourth tsp vanilla extract, one-fourth cup vegetable oil 60ml, or other regular oil (safflower or canola), one-fourth cup lemon olive oil 60ml, or extra vegetable oil.
5. Pumpkin Pie Rice Pudding
This delectable pudding recipe, made of natural pumpkin, brown rice, maple syrup, and unsweetened almond milk, tastes like that of a slice of fall itself. For an exquisite final course, pair this with a glass of fresh and fruity dessert wine like Moscato.
The recipe is:
1 cup brown rice, 2.5 cups of unsweetened almond milk, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, and 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin.
6. Zucchini brownies
Although zucchini and chocolate can seem like an odd pairing, they work beautifully together in the same drool-worthy brownie recipe. It’s creamy, fudgy, refined sugar-free, and only has 63 calories (hello, you read that correctly!). And here is the full recipe without any further ado.
Half tsp ground cinnamon, one-fourth tsp baking powder, three-fourth cup (90g) white whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour, three-fourth cup (60g) unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or coconut oil, one-fourth teaspoon salt, 2 big room-temperature egg whites, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ cup (60g) Greek non-fat yoghurt which is plain, ½ cup (96g) sugar made from coconut, 6 tablespoons (90mL) milk with no fat, 1 cup (90g) zucchini, newly grated.
7. Peanut Butter Fudge
This tasty, melt-in-your-mouth fudge recipe, which contains no butter, heavy cream, or added sugar, is a fantastic way to fulfil your 3 p.m. cravings for sugar without destroying your balanced diet. It’s also made with just six simple, readily available ingredients and takes just five minutes to prepare! Enough said.
Here’s how to do it yourself.
1 overripe banana or 2/3 cup coconut butter (optional) 1/2 cup peanut butter or allergy-friendly substitute 1/16 teaspoon salt (or more to balance if using unsalted peanut butter), 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons coconut butter or melted virgin coconut oil, a pinch of uncut stevia, or 2 tablespoons powdered sugar or pure maple syrup.
8. Swedish Apple Pie
This dairy-free apple pie recipe is the ideal blend of nutritious and hearty, thanks to the benefits of juicy apples, maple syrup, and oats. Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top to make it more delicious, then you’re done! The apple pie recipe is here.
For the filling, combine:
4 cups peeled, cored, and chopped into 1/4 chunks strong baking apples (about 4 medium apples or 492 grams of chopped apples), 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder, 3/4 teaspoon cardamom powder, 1 tablespoon sugar (raw or granulated).
For the topping:
9 tablespoons of oil (126g) coconut oil that has been refined 9.5 tablespoons (1 melted and still warm) (133g) non-vegan, non-dairy-free butter, melted and still warm 2 and 1/2 cup (100g) sugar, either raw or granulated, a quarter cup (60ml) maple syrup, 1.5 tbsp vanilla extract, 1 and 1/4 cup (113g) oats, rolled, 1.5 teaspoons + 3/4 cup (78g) flour made from oats, baking powder (1/2 teaspoon), salt (1/4 teaspoon).
9. Honey Ricotta Grilled Peaches
With summer approaching, certain delectable fruits are beginning to enter their peak season; peach lovers, rejoice! Although eating a peach plain is a delicious experience in and of itself, you can get a little more adventurous with this super-easy grilled peach recipe.
Peaches:
4 ripe peaches, cut in half and pitted, 1 tsp avocado oil or other flavourless oil
Whipped Honey Ricotta:
1/2 cup of whole milk ricotta cheese, 1/2 lemon juice and zest, 1 tsp honey + a little extra for drizzling and mint leaves, chopped (optional)
10. Almond Joy Coconut Macaroons
You will get nostalgic for the absolute favourite treats, such as Almond Joy candy bars, during difficult days. You’ll certainly want to try this recipe to raise the treats a notch, both in terms of health and taste.
2 cups coconut flakes, 2 big egg whites, 1/2 tsp almond extract 1/4 cup granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, 15 almonds, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks and optional: sprinkling of chopped almonds.