Delicious Healthy Holiday Desserts

Healthy Holiday Dessert Options
Healthy holiday desserts make the festivities at home special eating low-calorie options. Americans are busy contemplating travel restrictions in 2020 as Health Experts urge Americans to stay home for the holidays. Celebrating at home may have some advantages of establishing new holiday traditions with those in your immediate home can be rewarding.

Creating a special atmosphere with your environment adorned with a decorated tree sets the tone for the holiday season to begin.  Around the world people enjoy seasonal baking, creating desserts for gifts or for holiday celebrations.  Staying on track with your diet can be achieved by eating in moderation using portion control guidelines may be helpful when managing weight. 

Celebrating the holidays eating delicious foods packed with nutrition will leave you satisfied with meal choices. Delicious low-calorie desserts are the perfect way to end a holiday meal with sugar free options that reduce the total amount of calories consumed.  Cinnamon Apple pie topped with Vanilla cinnamon yogurt sprinkled with toasted almond slivers is an amazing dessert option. 

Healthy Holiday Desserts

Delicious healthy holiday cookies is a special treat when eaten in moderation.  Sugar cookies dough can be rolled out in a thin layer then shaped using holiday cookie cutters available in various shapes including angel, Christmas tree, candy cane, star more to choose from.

Embellishing cookie adds visual interest drizzle each cookie with melted sugar-free chocolate sprinkled with chopped nuts creates gourmet treats.  Sugar free Gingerbread cookies are great stocking stuffers or gift idea wrapped in a small gift box tied with a bow and tag may be the perfect present for someone special. Create healthy holiday desserts for Christmas fill the season with joy eating low-calorie food options entertaining in your home. Cinnamon Apple pie can be served hot or cold for a delicious dessert made with the freshest ingredients is impressive.

Cinnamon Apple Pie Filling

Ingredients

8 Apples peeled, cored to remove the seeds sliced into wedges

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon

1 tablespoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons of avocado oil or olive oil

2 tablespoons Splenda brown sugar substitute

1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon

Directions

Combine the dry ingredients Splenda brown sugar substitute, lemon zest, ground cinnamon using a fork

Combine the apples, avocado oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice in a bowl.  Toss the apples to coat. Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the apple slices.

Cinnamon Yogurt Topping

Ingredients

1 cup low fat sugar free vanilla yogurt

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon Splenda

1 cup slivered toasted almonds

Directions

Combine yogurt, ground cinnamon, Splenda in a small bowl using a whisk

Refrigerate the topping until chilled

Save the slivered almond for the topping

Almond Crust 

Ingredients

4 cups Almond Flour

1 cup walnut flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup Ghee measured solid cold

1/4 teaspoon  almond extract

3 tablespoons of ice water 

Directions

1.) Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F when it is time to bake

2.) Spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick spray

3.) Line an 18 x 13 baking sheet with parchment paper

4.) Combine almond flour, walnut flour, salt, ghee, almond extract, in a food processor or mixing bowl.

Pulse the ingredients in the food processor to combine. Add one tablespoon of ice water to the dough while pulsing the food processor until the dough forms the desired consistency  If you are using a mixing bowl turn the beater on low.  Add one tablespoon of ice water to the ingredients until the dough resembles the desired consistency. 

5.) Divide the dough into two rounds

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap then refrigerate the dough for 1 hour until thoroughly chilled.

6.) Roll one of the dough rounds out to 10 inches in diameter, ⅛ inch thick, on a non-stick silicone

pastry baking mat to prevent the dough from sticking to the surface. Wrap the roller with the almond dough then transfer the pie crust to the pie plate. Gently press the dough into the pie shell.

7.) Fill the pie shell with the apple filling.

8.) Roll out the second dough round onto the silicone pastry mat or countertop dusted with almond flour to prevent sticking.

9.) Using stainless steel holiday cookie cutters cut out decorative shapes for the dough. A multitude of shapes are available in different shapes and sizes like maple leaves, Christmas trees, stars, deer, snowman, snowflake or other interesting shapes.

10.) Crimp the dough around the pie plate using the back of a wooden spoon to form a decorative edge

Place the cutouts on top of the pie filling to embellish the apple pie customizing your dessert suited holiday festivities. If you are cutting out leaf shape gently score each leaf with the back of a knife creating lines to resemble a real leaf for a decorative touch.

11.) Brush the pastry with egg wash before baking. 

Place the pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

12.) Bake the Apple Cinnamon Pie in a 450-degree oven F for 10 minutes Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.  Bake the apple pie for 30-35 minutes

13.) Remove the pie from the oven. Serve the pie hot or cold depending on preference. Allow the pie to cool on a cooling rack for one hour.

Serve the pie on a plate topped with cinnamon yogurt sprinkled with toasted slivered almonds for a healthy holiday dessert. 

Cheers!

Patricia Lynn

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash