With Valentine's Day just behind us, sweet treats and chocolates will still be all around us. These treats can be enjoyed with loved ones or by yourself. While it is completely fine to indulge in treats in moderation, especially around a holiday, here are some healthy and easy alternatives. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, or any time you want a special healthy snack!
2 Ingredient Chocolate Fruit Truffles
These chocolate fruit truffles are tasty, only contain 2 ingredients, and only take 15 minutes to make!
Ingredients
3 cups fresh fruit of your choice (strawberries, banana, pineapple, kiwi, etc.)
1 cup chopped dark chocolate
Instructions
Cut: Slice fruit into ½ inch thick pieces and optionally use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut into shapes
Melt: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, then remove from heat. Place chocolate in a separate heat proof bowl and set this bowl on top of the hot water. Stir until chocolate is melted.
Dip: Use a fork to dip the fruit in the chocolate. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Cool: Set chocolate covered fruit in the freezer until chocolate is set. Optionally dust with cocoa powder, or drizzle with white chocolate.
Red Velvet Beet Smoothie Bowl
This smoothie bowl is perfect for Valentine’s Day breakfast, it’s high in great taste and heart-healthy nutrients.
Ingredients
1 roasted beet- cooled
1 cup frozen cherries
1 banana- chopped and frozen
¼ cup milk
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp honey
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, adding more milk and honey until desired consistency and sweetness is reached.
Top with your favorite nuts/seeds, banana, cocoa. You can cut fruit/beets into heart shapes and set those on top for a maximum Valentine’s Day feel.
Chickpea Blondies
These Blondies are a gluten-free dessert that’s gooey and chocolatey, while also being full of protein packed chickpeas.
Ingredients
1 15oz can chickpeas- drained and rinsed
¼ cup almond butter
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 ½ vanilla extract
2 large eggs
⅓ cup white sugar
⅓ cup brown sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup white chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
Wets: In a food processor, puree chickpeas into a fine powder consistency. Pulse in almond butter, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and pulse until combined.
Dries: In a separate bowl, mix together the sugars, salt, and baking powder.
Mix: Mix the wets and the dries, then stir in white chocolate. Preheat the oven to 375F.
Bake: Pour into a parchment-lined pan and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until sides are firm and starting to brown (a toothpick may still come out sticky).