Candy and Halloween go together like peanut butter and jelly. But while gummies and chocolates are great for satisfying sugar cravings, it’s nice to have healthy alternatives available so you can stay on-track with your healthy lifestyle goals. Try these five healthier recipes of your favorite sweets so you can maintain healthy habits AND satisfy your sweet tooth:
PEANUT BUTTER CUPS
Ingredients
CHOCOLATE LAYER (BOTTOM LAYER)
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, creamy
- 2.5 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp natural maple syrup
PEANUT BUTTER (TOP LAYER)
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, creamy
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp natural maple syrup
- Sea salt
Instructions
Line a muffin tin with 12 muffin liners. Spray with coconut oil cooking spray and set aside. In a medium bowl, stir all ingredients for the bottom layer together until smooth. Set aside. In another medium bowl, stir all ingredients for the top layer together until smooth. Set aside. Scoop a heaping 1/2 tbsp of the chocolate layer into each muffin cup. Repeat until you’ve filled around 12 cups. Pick up the entire muffin tin and shake and tap until the layer is set evenly. Repeat the same thing with the peanut butter layer, and plop around 1/2 tablespoon on top of the chocolate layer. Pick up the entire muffin tin one last time and shake and tap until your cups are even. Sprinkle each cup with some sea salt. Place the muffin tin in the freezer for 30 minutes or until firm. You can store them in the freezer to enjoy for later.
MOCK ALMOND JOY
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, lightly packed
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp honey (or pure maple syrup)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 12 (or more) whole almonds
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
In a food processor, process the shredded coconut, coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract, and salt until it forms a thick paste – about 2-3 minutes. Test the coconut to see if it holds together by squeezing it in your palm. If the coconut is still loose, continue to process for 1-2 minutes. Drop the coconut mixture by the tablespoon onto a non-stick baking mat or parchment paper. Form each ball into a small rectangle by pressing it into formation. Press an almond on top of the coconut rectangles. Freeze the coconut for 15-30 minutes or until solid. Melt the chopped chocolate in the microwave in 15 second increments, stirring between each increment until the chocolate is smooth. Skewer each frozen candy bar onto a toothpick and dip into the melted chocolate, tapping off any excess chocolate. Wait for the chocolate to dry before removing from the toothpick. Serve immediately or store at room temperature for several days.
HEALTHY GUMMIES
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups 100% fruit or vegetable juice
- 4 tbsp gelatin
- 2–4 tbsp raw honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 packet of Viiva p3 probiotics
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour juice into a small-medium saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until it starts to look wrinkly on the surface and all the white powder from the gelatin has been absorbed into the liquid. After all the gelatin is absorbed, mix it well. Place the saucepan over medium heat on the stove. Let the liquid warm, but don’t let it boil. All the gelatin should dissolve and turn thin and runny. Add the honey, vanilla extract, p3, and any other ingredients you may be using. Pour the liquid into a loaf pan or gummy molds and refrigerate for about 2-3 hours. Remove from molds or cut your gelatin into small squares. Keep the homemade healthy gummies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will store for about two weeks.
FUDGE
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup almond meal
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- 1/4 cup mashed banana, pumpkin, or applesauce (Choose this carefully because it will determine the flavor of your fudge.)
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 Viiva Chocolate Plant Base packet
DIRECTIONS
Combine almond meal and almond milk. Microwave for 30 seconds. Add in mashed/pureed fruit of your choice, cocoa powder, Viiva Chocolate Plant Base packet, and (if desired) sweetener to taste. Mix until incorporated. Spread it into a container and freeze until solid.
PUMPKIN NO-BAKE ENERGY BITES
INGREDIENTS
- 1 packed cup chopped dates
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp chia seeds or flax seeds
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 packet Viiva Chocolate or Vanilla Plant Base
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup toasted coconut flakes
- 1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine the dates, honey, pumpkin puree, chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, Plant Base, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until smooth and combined. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the oats, coconut flakes, and pumpkin seeds until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Once the mixture is cool, use a spoon or cookie scoop to shape it into your desired size of energy balls. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Enjoy your healthy sweets! Have a happy Halloween!
– Jesse Bailey
Jesse is the Viiva Senior Copywriter. She recently graduated Cum Laude from the University of Utah with a BA in English and a BS in Economics. She loves hiking, writing, eating cookies, and spending time in the sunshine with loved ones. She currently resides in Utah.
