Just when you start to recover from the holiday sugar binge, Valentine’s Day hits with yet another reason to bake and buy sugary treats. It is always fun to celebrate this holiday by baking and splurging on something sweet, but there are always healthy options out there!
These recipes are fun for kids (and adults) and will deliver a sweet taste, without all the artificial ingredients and refined sugar. Perfect for any Valentine!
HOMEMADE HEART SHAPED GRAHAM CRACKERS
I was so excited to find these as my daughter LOVES graham crackers, perfect for a kid treat in place of a sugary cookie. Try topping with something like healthy nut butter, cinnamon, raspberry jam, or a Tru-Whip frosting!
Ingredients
1 cup + 2 Tbsp whole wheat, or oat flour (can use white flour if desired)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp salt
2 to 3 Tbsp sucanat (natural cane sugar) or regular sugar
1/8 tsp uncut stevia OR 2 more Tbsp sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup, honey, or agave
1/4 cup oil (recommend unrefined coconut oil for a healthier version, but vegetable oil works fine.)
2 Tbsp water
Combine dry ingredients. Combine wet in a separate bowl, then mix together. Form a ball with your hands (or, if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, put the mixture in a plastic bag and squish into a ball). Place the ball on a piece of wax paper, then place another sheet on top and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into very thin (graham-cracker) width. Use cookie-cutter for heart shapes (or cut into squares), and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes, depending on whether you like your graham crackers super-soft or crispy. Add topping of choice!
FRO-YO BERRY BITES
Ingredients
1 ½ cups fresh chopped strawberries and/or raspberries
¼ cup crushed almonds or almond meal
2 Tbsp coconut sugar (or more depending on desired sweetness)
2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
¾ cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp honey
Line a 6 cup muffin tin with cupcake liners, or spray muffin tin with nonstick spray
In a small bowl, stir together crushed almonds, coconut sugar, and coconut oil. Spoon a small amount into the bottom of each muffin tin. In a medium bowl, mix together honey and yogurt. Spoon 2 Tbsp into each muffin cup, covering the crust. Top with fresh berries, freeze until firm (~ 6 hours) To serve, allow to set at room temperature a few minutes, and enjoy!