Holidays can be hard. Especially if you've struggled with disordered eating or dieting in your past. Sometimes all the food and dessert can be overwhelming, I get it.
What I like to do on holidays is bring a "healthier" dish to pass so I can enjoy my guilt free items while still indulging in a little but of the real thing with all the flour, sugar and butter, ya know?
I think balance is such an important part of life. Its totally okay if you don't want to eat your families desserts because they are too processed. Its also totally okay if you want to eat them and enjoy them! Each to their own.
For those of you that are gluten free and find it tough to indulge in yummy desserts that taste like the real thing around the holidays, you're going to absolutely love all of these recipes because THEY TASTE LIKE THE REAL THING.
I bet you could bring these to your family gatherings and no one would even know they are HEALTHIER! See the recipes below. We've got:
Easter Monster Cookies
Copycat Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs
Fudgy Easter Brownies
EASTER MONSTER COOKIES
These light and delicious cookies are sure to be douvored quickly. They taste just like the real thing but made with ingredients that will leave you feeling great. Gluten free monster cookies for the win! You can easily make this recipe vegan by subbing vegan butter and a flax or chia egg.
INGREDIENTS:
1 egg (can sub flax or chia egg)
1/2 cup butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup coconut sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup M&M candy
1/4 cup chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
Add butter, peanut butter, and coconut sugar to a large bowl. Using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer, blend ingredients together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix together until combined well.
Add GF all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl.
Mix the ingredients together until the flour is evenly incorporated.
Add the vegan M&M style candies and chocolate chips. Mix together with a spatula.
Scoop cookie dough into 12 balls. Transfer cookie dough to the baking sheets.
Add M&Ms on top if you want.
Bake cookies for 15 minutes.
Remove cookies from the oven while they appear browned on the edges. (15 min was perfect for me)
Allow cookies to cool before devouring. Enjoy!
Makes 24-30 cookies
COPY CAT REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER EGGS
These taste just like the Reese's peanut butter eggs you'd get at the store. But they're not full of fake oils, sugars and processed ingredients!! A WIN in my book. Something you can share with the whole family and be confident it will leave them feeling great! So rich flavor and they melt in your mouth. This recipe is already vegan and gluten free friendly.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup peanut butter (I prefer a creamier brand like Justins)
2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup @bobsredmill almond flour
Chocolate layer:
1 @lilys_sweets_chocolate dark chocolate bar (i used salted flavor)
1 tbsp coconut oil
DIRECTIONS:
Set out a parchment lined baking sheet to start.
In a large bowl, mix the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla.
Once well combined, add the almond flour and mix well.
Shape dough in an egg form and place on your parchment paper lined baking sheet (must be lined or chocolate will stick)
Once you have about 12 eggs freeze dough for 10 minutes
Warm the chocolate and coconut oil in microwave for 30-60 seconds and stir until completely melted.
Use two forks to coat the peanut butter mixture and place on parchment paper When coated evenly freeze again for 15-20 minutes
Then serve immediately
Sprinkle with colorful sprinkles or drizzle more chocolate over the top.
Makes about 10.
FLOURLESS EASTER BROWNIES
These are completely gluten free and contain no flour. They are not vegan BUT they can be made vegan easily by swapping out the eggs for 1/2 cup of applesauce. They are so fudgy and delicious I know they'll become your new favorite dessert :)
The best part about these is they are full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals! We love a dessert that also nourishes us! How you ask? Because I made these with the fabulous @shopkarenberrios cacao powder that is the highest quality on the market! Highly recommend trying it out. There is a big difference between cocoa powder and cacao powder. Cocoa has usually been stripped of all of its benefits. Stick with cacao when you can!
INGREDIENTS:
2 eggs (can sub eggs for 1/2 cup applesauce to make vegan)
1 cup almond butter (make sure its oily or texture will not be the same)
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1/3 cup cacao powder (@shopkarenberrios)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup chocolate chips
Easter themed M&M’s (peanut butter is the move) (or your favorite easter candy)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together your eggs, almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla.
Once combined well, add in the cacao powder and baking powder.
Your batter should be very thick and sticky at this point.
Fold in easter candy and then transfer your batter to a parchment lined 8x8 baking dish.
Pour batter into an 8x8 dish lined with parchment paper and then top with more easter candy.
Bake for 28-30 minutes or until fork comes out clean
Makes 9 brownies. ENJOY!
Wishing you all a blessed Easter Weekend 💕💕💕