3 Healthy Holiday Treats!

Let’s be honest… “treats” are probably not going to be ultra healthy, unless you’re talking fruit or nuts.

I don’t know about you, but a handful of raw almonds and a sliced pear does not invoke fond memories of the holiday season.

That being said, here’s a quick list of 3 healthy holiday treats that are 100% normal AND delicious.

Because when it comes to making treats for parties, family get-togethers, and gift exchanges, you want something fast and easy that doesn’t require a million ingredients.

So go ahead and celebrate the season while still keeping your feel-good glow about you!

Click  HERE if you’d like to see these recipes made on my recent segment with WGME

Almond Joy Popcorn

5 cups popped plain corn 

5 ounces dark chocolate chips

1 tablespoon coconut oil 

1/3 cup raw unsalted almonds chopped or crushed

1/3 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

Sea salt to taste

Spread popcorn out on a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Set aside. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate and coconut oil until melted. Stir to combine and until the mixture is smooth and creamy. It should easily drip off a spoon. Drizzle chocolate over the top of the popcorn, covering the pieces as evenly as you can. Sprinkle crushed almonds and coconut over the top, again while the toppings are warm to help them stick. Season with a dash of sea salt to taste. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set the toppings. Remove from the refrigerator, transfer to a serving bowl, and enjoy.

Sweet & Salty Dark Chocolate Bark

1 (12-oz.) bags dark chocolate chips, melted

1/2 c. salted pretzels, roughly chopped

1/4 c. dried cherries

1/4 c. unsweetened coconut flakes

1/4 c. unsalted pistachios, roughly chopped

Flaky sea salt

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour a third of the melted dark chocolate onto prepared baking sheet and use an offset spatula to spread into an even layer, 1/8″ thick.

Evenly sprinkle with half the pretzels, cherries, coconut, and pistachios. Pour over remaining melted dark chocolate and spread to evenly cover ingredients. Evenly sprinkle with remaining pretzels, cherries, coconut, and pistachios. Garnish with flaky sea salt. Let bark cool until set, 1 hour, then break into pieces. Store bark in a resealable container until ready to eat.

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

1 cup natural peanut butter (or substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter)

1 3/4 cups crispy rice cereal

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

10 ounces dark chocolate chips, melted*

Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Combine peanut butter, cereal, maple syrup and vanilla in a medium bowl. Roll the mixture into 12 balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze the balls until firm, about 15 minutes. Roll the balls in melted chocolate. Return to the freezer until the chocolate is set, about 15 minutes.

*Tip: To melt chocolate, microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted. Or place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.