With holidays at the end of the year and lots of reasons to celebrate, it is important to enjoy some delicious desserts without feeling any guilt. Although there might be a lot of “healthy” alternatives to many tasty desserts, in my honest opinion, most of the time nothing tastes as good as the real thing. Just like eating one whole food meal once a month while everything else is processed won’t make a big difference in your health, enjoying some yummy treats occasionally won’t erase your health journey progress. Don’t get me wrong I have enjoyed healthier desserts many times, but during the holidays I won’t be saying no to my favorite desserts. So below I have written the recipes for some of my favorite desserts during the holiday season, or when there is a reason to celebrate. Remember, you can strive to fuel your body with nutritious foods while also enjoying things that make you happy at the same time. Hope you can enjoy these as much as I do!
Apple Pie
*Includes pre-made pie crust bought at store.
Ingredients: Filling
- 1 Lemon
- 7-8 apples of your choice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Ingredients: Glaze
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoons bourbon
- Flakey sea salt
Instructions:
- Into a medium bowl squeeze the lemon juice. Slice apples into very thin slices. Place them in the bowl of lemon juice to keep them from browning.
- Add brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the bowl and toss until all the apples are coated.
- Take your pie crust and trim any edges if needed. Take the apple slices and arrange them side by side, the cut side should be facing down on the pie crust. Keep arranging the apple slices, leaving the smaller ones for the middle. About 15 minutes later you should be left with a rose-like pattern.
- Transfer the pie to the freezer for 20 minutes and preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Brush the edges of the crust with egg wash and place in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium/high heat, add in the brown sugar and butter. Cook until it’s all melted and a golden-brown color. Remove from heat and add the bourbon. It will begin to bubble but then become smooth again after whisking.
- Once the pie is ready, take out the oven and brush the apples with the glaze. Serve warm and enjoy!
Cinnamon & Coffee Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cups butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon of instant coffee grounds
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt, and whisk together. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt the butter and add into a separate large bowl. Add in the sugar and brown sugar and mix until all combined. Add in the egg, the coffee, and vanilla extract and mix.
- Add in the mix of dry ingredients to the large bowl. Add in the chocolate chips and mix.
- Take two cookie sheets with parchment paper and place small size balls of dough on each pan.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the edges of cookies are firm.
- Let cool and enjoy with a cup of milk or coffee!
Peppermint Brownies
Ingredients:
- Favorite brownie mix
- Eggs, oil, and water (as called for in brownie mix)
- Cooking spray
Frosting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons softened butter
- 2 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
Chocolate Ingredients:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup butter
- ¾ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and pray a 9×9 inch square pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- Prepare brown mix according to box instructions. And bake for given time.
- Let cool completely in the pan.
- To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the milk and beat until blended. Slowly add in powdered sugar until combined. Stir in peppermint extract.
- Spread the peppermint frosting evenly over the brownies and place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
- For chocolate topping, melt chocolate chips and butter in a bowl. Spread evenly over chilled brownies and quickly top with crushed candy canes. Place back in the freezer for 30 minutes and enjoy!
Churro Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients:
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 8 oz packages of softened cream cheese
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 8 oz cans Pillsbury crescent dinner rolls
Instructions:
- In a small bowl combine ½ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon and set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth and add in the sugar, egg, and vanilla, and beat until creamy, set aside.
- Spray a 9×13” pan with cooking spray and sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly in the bottom of the pan.
- Unroll one can of dough onto a lightly floured piece of waxed paper and press all the seams together. Lift onto the pan on top of the cinnamon sugar and press the edges.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough. Unroll the second can of dough and roll it out the same way. Place on top of the filling.
- Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar on top of the dough. Bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Let cool and serve!