14 Healthy Christmas Treats & Sweets
14 Healthy Christmas Treats: Vegan, Gluten-Free & Paleo Options!
Sugar cookies, gingerbread, chocolaty truffles and eggnog—treats like these are some of the best gifts that Christmas brings! And, if you’re like me, you want to enjoy them all. But, all of those indulgent goodies can add up quickly… WHY can’t the treats that taste good also be good for us?? With these homemade healthy Christmas treats, that wish can come true!
Denying ourselves of the holiday treats we enjoy can lead to worse cravings, or going WAY overboard when we finally allow ourselves a bite. Instead, we can make our own healthy Christmas treats with wholesome, fuel-filled ingredients. Here, you’ll find health-ified recipes for the classic Christmas treats you love like healthy sugar cookies, pumpkin bread, homemade fudge, and more! And, many of these recipes are vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and low in sugar.
Of course, even these healthy Christmas treats are still treats—we should enjoy them in moderation. But, we can feel better about eating them, sharing them with our families, and even giving them as gifts!
Check out the Healthy Holiday Desserts blog for even more recipes, and our 10 Last Minute DIY Christmas Gifts post! Or, try some of our Healthy Holiday Eating Tips to help you get through this most indulgent season.
— Cookies & Brownies —
Healthy Sugar Cookies
from my Healthy Sugar Cookies video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Low Fat | Low Sugar
Prep time: 45 minutes Fridge time: 20-30 minutes Bake time: 8-9 minutes
Store: in an air-tight container at room temperature up to 1 week.
What healthy Christmas treats are we all wishing for this year? Healthy SUGAR COOKIES! These beauties are gluten-free, nut-free, AND they can be sugar-free, depending on the sweetener you use.
And, while most cookies rely on butter for their texture and taste, this healthy Christmas cookie uses coconut oil as a dairy-free fat substitute. Plus, you can still roll out this dough and cut your cookies into festive shapes! Once they’re baked, decorate them with this healthy icing that you can make with either regular OR sugar-free powdered sugar.
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per cookie without icing/sprinkles, yields ~36 (2-inch to 2½-inch cookies):
39 calories | 3g carbs | 2g fat | 1g protein | 0g sugars | 1g dietary fiber
Healthy Gingerbread
from my Healthy Gingerbread Cookies video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Low Fat
Prep time: 40 minutes Fridge time: 20-30 minutes Bake time: 6-8 minutes
Store: in an air-tight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Gingerbread is another Christmas classic! Molasses, ground ginger, and cloves create that gingerbread flavor we know and love. But, YOU are in control of the type and amount of sweetener in this lightened up recipe!
Again, this healthy Christmas cookie recipe uses coconut oil instead of butter, and you can still roll out the dough to cut it into gingerbread ladies and gents (or whichever shapes you like). And don’t forget about the healthy icing for decorating!
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per cookie without icing, yields ~40 (2-inch to 2½-inch cookies):
46 calories | 5g carbs | 2g fat | 1g protein | 2g sugars | 1g dietary fiber
Peanut Butter Blossoms
from my Peanut Butter Blossoms video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free Option | Low Fat
Prep time: 35 minutes Bake time: 8-10 minutes
Store: in an air-tight container or plastic bag at room temperature for 3-4 days, or in the fridge for 7-10 days, or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
These lightened-up peanut butter blossoms cut the calories, carbs and fat of the traditional recipe in HALF. But they’re just as delicious! Oat flour keeps these healthy Christmas treats gluten-free, and you can make dairy-free cookies with soy/nut milk and a dairy-free chocolate. For an extra indulgence and a glittery shine on your cookies, roll the dough in a bit of sugar or sweetener before baking them!
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per cookie, yields 48:
53 calories | 5g carbs | 3g fat | 1g protein | 3g sugars | 1g dietary fiber
Santa Hat Black Bean Brownies
from my Santa Hat Black Bean Brownies video
Vegan | Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Low Fat
Prep time: 35 minutes Bake time: 8-10 minutes
Store: in an air-tight container in the fridge for 5 days.
Fluffy, cakey, chocolaty brownies that have no gluten, no flour, AND they’re vegan?!? It must be a Christmas miracle! Instead of simple, refined carbs, these healthy brownies are full of slow-digesting complex carbs because they’re made with black beans. And, that means they’re loaded with protein and fiber, too.
Bake them into mini muffin tins for healthy Christmas treats that are perfectly-portioned. Plus, they’ll be just the right size for Santa’s strawberry-and-whipped-cream hat! (Use coconut whipped cream for vegan.)
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per brownie w/ chocolate chips (no whipped cream or strawberry), yields 24:
61 calories | 9g carbs | 3g fat | 2g protein | 5g sugars | 2g dietary fiber
— Truffles & Fudge —
Vegan Buckeyes
from my Vegan and Vegetarian Holiday Potluck Recipes video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Vegan | Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Low Carb | Low Sugar
Prep time: 30 minutes Fridge time: ~1 hour
Store: in an air-tight container in the fridge up to 1 week.
Buckeyes are delicious peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate—one of the most indulgent holiday treats. But, this recipe skips the traditional butter and powdered sugar for a health-ified twist! Plus, you can make VEGAN buckeyes by using this vegan chocolate coating! They’re so simple to make with NO baking required. The perfect healthy Christmas treats to bring to a potluck or give as a gift!
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per buckeye (with vegan chocolate coating) yields ~48:
47 calories | 3g carbs | 4g fat | 2g protein | 0g sugars | 1g dietary fiber | 2g net carbs
3-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles
from my 3 Ingredient Chocolate Truffles video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Vegan-Friendly | Gluten-Free | Paleo-Friendly | Dairy-Free | Low Fat
Prep time: 25 minutes Fridge time: 2-3 hours, or overnight
Store: in an air-tight container in the fridge for 7-10 days, or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Ditch the fat and added sugars in traditional truffles and try these simple 3-INGREDIENT truffles! All you need are almonds, dates, and cocoa powder—no baking required. And, theses healthy Christmas treats are VEGAN, but you’d never know it!
Plus, once your truffles have set in the fridge, you can get creative with all sorts of toppings. Coconut shreds, crushed nuts, sprinkles, or crushed peppermint are all festive choices! I highly recommend rolling your truffles in melted chocolate or this vegan chocolate coating to help the toppings stick (and for added deliciousness). A great healthy Christmas treat to make with kids!
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per truffle (with chocolate coating), yields ~48:
42 calories | 6g carbs | 2g fat | 1g protein | 5g sugars | 1g dietary fiber
Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge
from my Vegan & Gluten Free Peanut Butter Fudge video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Vegan | Gluten-Free | Paleo-Friendly | Dairy-Free | Low Carb
Prep time: 20 minutes Fridge time: 3-4 hours, or overnight
Store: in an air-tight container in the fridge for 7-10 days, or in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Fudge can be deliciously melt-in-your-mouth good without tons of added sugars! You only need a bit of maple syrup and the sweetener of your choice to make this easy recipe. Plus, rather than traditional butter, this fudge is made with peanut butter and coconut butter for a lighter, VEGAN Christmas treat! Store in the freezer and you’ll have healthy Christmas treats to nosh on all season long!
(You could also try this even simpler recipe for a 3-INGREDIENT peanut butter fudge. And, learn how to make your own peanut butter and coconut butter in the process!)
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per piece (about 1 cm or ½ inch each), yields ~90 (depending on size of pan):
20 calories | 1g carbs | 2g fat | 1g protein | 0 g sugars | 0g dietary fiber | 1g net carbs
2-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
from my 2 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge video
Vegan-Friendly | Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free Option
Prep time: 20 minutes Fridge time: 4 hours, or overnight
Store: in an air-tight container in the fridge for 7-10 days, or in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Peanut butter + chocolate chips = fudge. Literally, it can be that simple. This treat is SO easy to make, and it’s a crowd favorite! You can use whichever kind of chocolate chips you prefer—milk, dark, or dairy-free. This fudge is WAY lower in calories, sugars, and fat than the traditional treat, so feel free to pop more than 1 piece! But, this lighter fudge is still a treat. Enjoy in moderation!
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per piece, yields 100 (depending on size of pan):
27 calories | 2g carbs | 2g fat | 0g protein | 2g sugars | 0g dietary fiber
— Tea-Time Treats —
Healthy Pumpkin Bread & Muffins
from my Healthy Pumpkin Recipes for Fall, Thanksgiving & Christmas video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Low Fat
Prep time: 15 minutes Bake time: 20-35 minutes
Store: in an air-tight container or wrapped in plastic at room temperature for 2 days, in the fridge up to a week, or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Pumpkin bread is a much-loved holiday recipe that’s so simple to health-ify! Using oat flour instead of a refined flour makes this bread more fuel-filled and gluten-free. Plus, YOU are in control of the sugar content! The pumpkin puree helps to cut down on some of the fat, and it gives this bread a delicious, pumpkin-y flavor.
You can bake this recipe into a larger loaf, mini loaves, or muffins, you’ll just need to adjust the bake time accordingly. Mini loaves or muffins are the perfect healthy Christmas treats to give as gifts! Or, why not give yourself the gift of healthy pumpkin bread…
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Nutrition:
Per slice (without nuts), yields 12:
45 calories | 8g carbs | 1g fat | 2g protein | 3g sugars | 2g dietary fiber
Pumpkin Pistachio Cranberry Biscotti
from my Healthy Biscotti video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Low Fat
Prep time: 45 minutes Bake time: 55 minutes Cool time: 10 minutes
Store: in an air-tight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks (if dipped in chocolate, I recommend storing in the fridge!).
If you’re a cookie fanatic, you have to give biscotti a try. “Biscotti” comes from the Latin term biscoctus, meaning “twice cooked,” because this cookie is baked TWICE! It becomes extra crispy, and its strange shape makes it perfect for dipping into tea or coffee. And, this recipe is much more fuel-filled than a traditional cookie or biscotti.
Pistachios are full of wholesome fats and dried cranberries are LOADED with antioxidants (just be sure to use an unsweetened variety)! Dipping in chocolate is optional, but highly recommended. Keep this healthy Christmas treat on-hand when friends or family come to visit, or as a last-minute gift!
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Nutrition:
Per biscotti (without chocolate), yields 14:
91 calories | 14g carbs | 2g fat | 3g protein | 6g sugars | 2g dietary fiber
Glazed Pecans
from my Healthy 3 Ingredient Appetizers video
Vegan | Gluten-Free | Paleo | Low Carb
Prep time: 2 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Cool time: ~15 minutes
Store: in an air-tight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can create majorly delicious flavors. For this easy recipe, you only need pecans, coconut sugar, and salt—you don’t even need to turn on the oven! Once you’ve glazed your pecans and let them cool, you’ll have a crunchy, crispy, sweet treat that no one will be able to resist. Feel free to get creative with your favorite flavorings and mix-ins!
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Nutrition:
Per ¼ cup, yields 8 servings (2 cups):
206 calories | 8g carbs | 20g fat | 2g protein | 5g sugars | 2g dietary fiber | 6g net carbs
— Holiday Drinks —
Vegan Eggnog
from my Vegan & Dairy Free Eggnog video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Vegan | Gluten-Free | Paleo-Friendly | Nut-Free Option | Low Fat
Prep time: 15 minutes
Store: in the fridge up to 1 week.
Enjoy the classic, rich flavor and creamy texture of eggnog without any milk or eggs! This vegan eggnog uses coconut milk as its creamy element, while a frozen banana adds thickness and natural sweetness. And, I actually like the taste better than traditional eggnog… With just a few minutes and a few ingredients, you can make a deliciously vegan eggnog that’s under 100 calories per serving!
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per 4-oz. serving, yields 6 servings:
73 calories | 9g carbs | 4g fat | 0g protein | 4g sugars | 1g dietary fiber
Dairy Free Eggnog
from my Vegan & Dairy Free Eggnog video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Gluten-Free | Paleo-Friendly | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Low Sugar
Prep time: 5 minutes
Store: in the fridge up to 1 week.
If you’re dairy-free, you can make eggnog with any kind of milk that you like. And, you can still use eggs to create that rich, creamy texture! To make a lighter nog, just leave out the egg yolks and use egg beaters or an egg substitute. You’ll cut down on fat, but still get the creaminess! And, this recipe is SUPER low in calories with NO added sugars if you use a natural low-calorie sweetener like stevia!
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Nutrition:
Per 4-oz. serving, yields 6 servings:
19 calories | 1g carbs | 1g fat | 3g protein | 0g sugars | 0g dietary fiber
Vegan Peppermint Milkshake
from my Vegan Peppermint Milkshake video & my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook
Vegan | Gluten-Free | Paleo | Nut-Free | Low Fat
Prep time: 15 minutes
Store: best enjoyed same day!.
Get a refreshing sip of holiday air with this VEGAN peppermint milkshake! It’s full of real peppermint flavor, but it’s made with NO ice cream. A milkshake with no ice cream?! How can it be? Instead, this healthy milkshake recipe uses frozen bananas for creaminess and sweetness! You can use whichever kind of milk or yogurt suits your lifestyle, and I highly recommend topping it off with a dollop of whipped cream or coconut whipped cream!
Get the recipe:
Nutrition:
Per 8-oz. milkshake, yields 2:
165 calories | 34g carbs | 1g fat | 7g protein | 17g sugars | 3g dietary fiber
Enjoy the holiday season WITHOUT the guilt! With these healthy Christmas treats, you can serve up goodies that you, your family, and your friends will feel good about eating. And, they’re darn tasty!
And, find TONS more healthy holiday recipes in my 150 Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook!
