Healthier Holiday Dessert Recipes: Raw Pecan Pie and All Natural Fudge

Healthier Holiday Dessert Recipes: Raw Pecan Pie and Easy All Natural Fudge

by Tony Isaacs

For many of us, traditional holiday feasts include a wealth of scrumptious desserts.   However, many of the traditional holiday desserts contain far too much refined sugar and other ingredients that are less than healthy.  This year, try these two healthier dessert recipes that are sure to please any dessert lover:

Raw Pecan Pie with Almonds and Dates

If pecan pie is on your mind and you are a raw food fan, you and your guests will love this healthy version.

While this recipe uses only healthy ingredients, it produces a super-rich pecan pie that is best served in small portions. Rather than serve this pie in traditional slices, you may want to use a good knife to divide the pie into 2-inch squares.

Ingredients:

2 cups almonds (raw, if available), soaked for one hour, drained, dried
3 dozen pitted dates, soaked for one hour, drained (save water)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups raw pecans, soaked for one hour, drained, dried
Coconut oil

Directions:

Put almonds and 10 dates in a food processor and blend until they have a crust-like consistency. Add a small amount of water (saved from soaking the dates) if necessary to aid in bringing almonds and dates together.

Grease a pie plate or 9-inch square baking pan with a light coat of coconut oil to prevent the pie from sticking.

Use a spatula or the underside of a spoon to press the almond-date crust into the bottom and sides of the plate or pan. Put the finished crust in the freezer until time to fill it.

Combine the remaining dates, fresh lemon or lime juice, cinnamon, sea salt, and vanilla in a food processor and blend until smooth. Use a small amount of water (left over from soaking dates) if necessary.

Spread the date filling evenly over the almond-date crust and arrange the raw pecans on top of the filling, pressing down lightly to keep the pecans in place.

Note: the pie can also be baked in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes so, or else cooked on low broil for about five minutes for crispier pecans.  Hint:  Put a bit of raw honey on top of the pecans for a tasty glaze.

Adapted from: chetday.com/healthypecanpie.htm

Easy All Natural Fudge Recipe

This easy and delicious fudge recipe calls for protein-rich almond butter and antioxidant-rich raw chocolate powder, making it a decadent treat that is much healthier than conventional store-bought fudge.  Although this fudge is made with all-natural ingredients, it is best to eat only one or two small pieces at a time, as eating honey-rich foods can stress one's blood sugar.

Ingredients:

2 cups almond butter
1/4 cup raw organic cocoa powder, sifted to remove any lumps
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons raw organic honey
1 heaping tablespoon coconut oil, melted (optional)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well.

Spoon mixture into a pan and flatten with the back of a spoon. Place in the freezer for about an hour, then take out and cut into bite-size squares. Keep these covered and stored in the freezer.

These must be kept in the freezer until just prior to serving - otherwise they will become the consistency they were before freezing.

Varieties:  You can substitute dark cocoa for part or all of the cocoa.  Also, try adding favorite nuts such as whole or chopped pecans or walnuts.

Adapted from: drbenkim.com/easy-healthy-fudge-recipe.html

For additional healthier holiday recipes, see:

http://www.tbyil.com/Healthy_Holiday_Recipes.htm

Sources included:

http://www.tbyil.com/Healthy_Holiday_Recipes.htm
http://drbenkim.com/easy-healthy-fudge-recipe.html
http://www.tbyil.com/All_Natural_Chocolate_Fudge.htm
http://www.chetday.com/healthypecanpie.htm
http://www.tbyil.com/Raw_Pecan_Pie.htm