Healthy homemade/from scratch Desserts/sweets

[livinlovinlaughin]

I am looking for recipes for treats and desserts that are healthy. When I say healthy I do not mean low fat. I like to use whole foods. I prefer dairy free or substitutions for dairy (mostly because organic dairy is too expensive for us). I am not opposed to using almond milk in recipes. I use raw local honey instead of sugar. If something calls for peanut butter or something processed, I make it myself. Do you see where I am coming from? I like to start with whole foods and control how they are "processed". So does anyone have any great recipes for pies, cookies, breads, treats etc. I am trying to decide on things to make for the holidays.

Feel free to share any great substitutions you have found.

[ErinBird]

Edited by ErinBird - 2/8/11 at 4:00pm

[cristeen]

I'm w the pp... Virtually any dessert recipe that doesnt start w cool whip you can make from scratch w a little know-how and extra effort. Even the ones that start w graham cracker crumbs or jello.

Typically, if i'm looking for a new recipe to try, i check out epicurious or any one of a handful of blogs i like. Pies are easy w butter or lard for the crust, i use instant tapioca as the thickener for fruit, and just enough sugar to sweeten (date sugar is a better option than honey for fruit pies). Cakes i tend to avoid because the white flour/white sugar combo is fairly crucial for proper texture. Cheesecakes i do make, honey is an easy sub there. Cookies, you're best looking for a recipe you like, again, subs mess w the texture, but sucanat is easily subbed for brown sugar in the right recipe (like a molasses cookie). Ice cream is popular here, whether its dairy, coconut milk or fruit based. I use honey or maple in my ice creams. We eat a lot of custards here, because i'm big on the protein component, and those are easily sweetened w anything.

But, all that being said, desserts are a treat here. We might eat it once a week or when we have company. During the hottest days of summer we go a bit heavy on the ice cream, but we dont have that many hot days, thankfully. I can only do so much to make dessert "healthier", and just work on limiting myself.

[Magelet]

desserts are a very rare treat here, usually dessert is fruit and/or cheese, or cream, or peanut butter and coconut butter and raisins, or most often, nothing.  (dp has fruit after dinner many nights, I rarely do)

I just found a super awesome recipe for chocolate wafers that I adapted no problem.  I'm going to make them into an icebox cake for a special occasion.  http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/01/wafer-wonderland/   

http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/03/homemade-chocolate-wafers-icebox-cupcakes/

I subbed whole wheat pastry flour and coconut palm sugar (unrefined).  I don't delude myself that it's healthy,  it's still full of sugar but for a celebratory treat, it's not bad.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

It sounds like we cook very similarly!

My favorite this time of year is pumpkin bars.

1/2 c. oil

1/3 c. honey

2 eggs

1 c. + 2 T whole wheat flour (I grind my own)

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 c. pumpkin puree

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 T pumpkin pie spice

Combine all and pour into a greased 9 x 13.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

I top them with cream cheese frosting.

1 stick butter

8 oz. cream cheese

1/4 c. honey or maple syrup

1 tsp. cinnamon (opt.)

1 tsp. vanilla

Another favorite is baked custard

1 can coconut milk

1/4 c. honey

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Beat all with mixer until well blended.  Pour into custard cups or medium dish that fits inside a 9 x 13 that has been half-filled with water.  Sprinkle with nutmeg.  Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes or until a knife in the center comes out clean.  Serve warm or chilled.