Easy, Low Carb Holiday Desserts
Everyone loves holiday desserts – after all, it is the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. If you are like most people who are working hard to reach certain health goals, though, the pies and cookies may also be the unhappy ending to a keto friendly diet or healthy blood sugar. In fact, the average Thanksgiving dinner contains more than 1700 calories and nearly 200 grams of carbs – yikes!
Many people feel they have to choose between their health goals and an enjoyable holiday meals. They may believe the rumors that holiday food has to be unhealthy to be delicious. Fortunately, you can control the carb and calorie count by making healthier, low carb Thanksgiving meals people will love.
You can make low carb, healthy desserts all holiday season long that your whole family will love – including pumpkin pie!
Easy Low Carb Holiday Desserts the Whole Family will Love!
Don’t fill up on Thanksgiving sides – make sure to leave room for one of these low carb desserts!
Low Carb Pumpkin Pie
If you are like other older adults who grew up in the United States, you have fond memories of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, this traditional favorite can be high in carbohydrates, especially when prepared with a pre-made flour crust. The good news is that you can make an amazing low carb pumpkin pie that is fast, easy, and just as delicious as any high carb pumpkin pie.
The secret to a low carb pumpkin pie is in the crust – an almond flour crust is substantially lower in carbohydrates than their traditional counterparts. You can purchase a pre-made almond flour crust or make your own.
Baking your almond flour crust prevents your pie from being too gooey; it also gives you an opportunity to assemble the pumpkin filling. Beat pumpkin puree, heavy cream, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, coconut sugar, and a bit of sea salt at medium-low speed until smooth. For even more flavor, add a touch of vanilla extract or molasses.
When your pie crust is done baking, set your oven to 325°F and put the crust on the counter to cool completely. Pour the filling into the crust; gently tap the pie on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles. Bake until the pie filling is almost set but the center is just a bit jiggly, which is about 40 to 50 minutes. Check on the pie frequently; if the edges of the crust start to brown, cover them with aluminum foil.
Remove from the oven and set on the countertop to cool. Stick the pie in the refrigerator for at least an hour before slicing. Refrigerate overnight to enjoy with your leftover turkey.
Sweet Potato Brownies
Sweet potato brownies satisfy your cravings for a holiday party dessert the healthy, keto friendly way. Naturally-sweetened from sweet potatoes and honey, these chewy brownies contain no processed sugar – but they do have just enough cocoa powder to add a rich chocolate flavor. The easy recipe also swaps out wheat flour for almond flour, although you can use any kind of oat flour, coconut flour, or cassava flour for a low carb dessert. You can even use egg substitute powder or ground flax for a tasty vegan holiday treat.
Whisk mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, honey, butter, and vanilla into a smooth mixture; stir in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour the batter into pan lined with parchment paper and use a spatula to smooth the top. Bake at 350°F for 28 to 30 minutes, or until the center has set. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool thoroughly before you slice them.
You may want to print out several copies of this recipe, as your guests will most certainly ask for it!
Gingersnap Cookies
For many of those over 50, the aroma of freshly-baked gingerbread is synonymous with the holiday season. Gingerbread houses have been around in Europe for centuries and came over to the New World with the colonists. The ginger in gingersnap cookies has also been around for centuries, as it prized for its ability to aid digestion and relieve heartburn, which can be helpful after a large Thanksgiving feast.
Gingersnap cookies bring back all of the holiday goodness in an easy-to-make and simple-to-enjoy cookie. Use a mixer to whip together butter, cane sugar, and brown sugar until it looks light yellow and fluffy, which takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Add molasses, egg, baking soda, ground ginger, fresh ginger, cinnamon and cloves, and mix until combined; sprinkle in some oat flour. The dough should be sticky.
Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to scoop the dough into 1-tablespoon balls. Roll the balls in coconut sugar or alternative sugar substitutes and place about 2.5 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the cookies in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. The cookies should not be wet at all, and the tops of the cookies should look crackled. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the cookie sheet for 7 minutes before you move them to a cooling rack.
For the ultimate in convenience and fun, make the gingersnap cookies at least a day in advance to serve to your guests before dinner. Gingersnap cookies are also popular additions to “doggie bags” that your guests can take home.
Oat Apple Crisp
Oat Apple Crisp is fast, easy, and oh so delicious! It’s also a great way to use up any extra apples you might still have.
Crisps are lighter than pies and crumbles, which tend to have more butter, sugar, flour, and carbs. The crisp topping recipe uses old fashioned oats instead of flour, which helps keep the carb count under control.
You can whip this great Thanksgiving dessert in under a half hour. Peel the apples, if you desire, or leave the peels on for a more colorful and healthier dessert. Apple peels are high in dietary fiber and nutrients, making apples a favorite among health-conscious older adults. However, apple skins may be hard to eat, especially for a senior with dentures.
You’ll need two bowls: one for the apple filling and another for the topping. Cut the apples into ¼ inch thick slices and toss in a bowl with melted coconut oil, cinnamon, and ginger. Set this bowl aside.
In another bowl, mix the topping ingredients: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, old fashioned oats, pecans, coconut oil, and maple syrup.
Pour the apples into a baking dish then layer the crisp toppings evenly on top of the apples. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes; remove the aluminum foil and bake for another 20 minutes. Be prepared to hear, “Wow, your kitchen smells so good!” for at least an hour after you finish baking.
This dish is best served warm, but it does keep well for several days.
More Recipe Ideas from Mighty Health
Don’t let your health goals prevent you from enjoying the holiday meal – add these healthier, low carb holiday desserts to your table this year. For more information on keto friendly holiday meals, consult with your Mighty Health coach.