Autumn is finally here, which means that these last few months of the year are going to be jam-packed with fun holiday celebrations. Nothing completes a holiday meal like a warm and gooey apple pie or some decadent brownies with vanilla bean ice cream on top. What if these desserts tasted amazing – but were still good for you?

Sugar, one of the key ingredients in desserts and what makes them extremely delicious, is damaging to our health. It can cause us to become tired more easily and can make us unfocused during an important lecture at school.

Students are buying processed desserts from the cafeteria throughout the day to complete their lunch meal. Although the frozen yogurt and Oreo cookies do taste great, and are okay to enjoy from time to time, there are healthier dessert alternatives to try.

You can easily substitute white granulated sugar with natural items, such as honey or even an artificial sweetener like Stevia. A childhood favorite, maple syrup, can be easily substituted as well. Although it is artificial, Stevia will not make your blood sugar spike. This spike usually creates a “sugar rush” which can get you distracted during school. Honey and maple syrup are natural sweeteners that are better for you than processed white sugar. Learn about all of the possible benefits of sugar substitutes here. 

Instead of using processed white flour in your cookies or cake, next time use coconut or almond flour. These flours aren’t bleached or processed as much, and they give the desserts extra flavor and texture. After making these desserts and trying them out, students will feel better and might be motivated to lead a healthier lifestyle in general.

Chocolate Chip Coconut Almond Meal Cookies

-1 1/4 cups (137 g) almond meal (or coconut flour)                                  

-1/4 cup (30 g) chopped dark chocolate

-1/2 cup (40 g) shredded unsweetened coconut

-1/2 teaspoon baking powder

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1/3 cup (73 g) coconut sugar (or 3 tbsp of honey or maple syrup)  

-1 egg

-3 Tbsp (45 g) coconut oil, melted

-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate Honey Cake

-1 ½ cups coconut flour

-1 cup coconut sugar

-½ cup butter

-4.4 oz semi sweet chocolate, chopped

-4 eggs

-⅓ cup honey

-¾ cup milk

-1 tbsp baking powder

-½ baking soda

Cream Cheese Icing

-12 oz cream cheese

-3 tbsp heavy cream

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-1 tsp liquid Stevia