Valentine’s Day is a day filled with love, happiness—or let’s be honest, bitterness—gifts, indulgence and most importantly, sweets. But January just passed! “How can I enjoy all the candy, chocolate and ice cream without breaking my resolutions?” you might ask. Well, I have your answers. Whether you are spending this day with your S.O., girlfriends or by yourself (no shame here), these healthy sweets are something everyone will enjoy!
1. Halo Top
Looking to replace you last year’s Valentines, Ben and Jerry? Halo Top is your answer. With only 240-360 calories per pint—yes, I said: “per pint!”—, this unbelievably delicious, creamy alternative will treat you much than those other men did, I promise. Personally, my favorite flavors are Peanut Butter Cup, Mint Chip, Candy Bar (tastes like snickers!) and Mochi Green Tea. They also have dairy-free alternatives for all you vegans out there!
2. “Nice” Cream
Are you paleo? Are you looking for an even healthier ice cream alternative? Well, nice cream is for you! The creamy base is made with bananas, but you can add other ingredients to make several flavor variations. Here are a few recipes to fulfill your ice cream dreams!
Dark Chocolate with Toasted Almonds:
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Ingredients:
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3-4 bananas
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3 tbsp of cocoa powder
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¼ cup of chopped almonds
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Directions
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Peel, chop and freeze your bananas overnight
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Chop almonds, and toast them on a pan until slightly browned. Let cool.
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In a blender or food processor, blend the bananas and cocoa powder until they have a creamy consistency.
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Stir in almonds and serve!
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Mint Chip:
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Ingredients:
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3 bananas
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Handful of spinach
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¼ tsp peppermint extract
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3 tbsp Cacao nibs or Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Chips (these are dairy-free and sugar-free, sweetened with stevia)
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Directions
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Peel, chop and freeze your bananas overnight
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In a blender or food processor, blend the bananas, spinach and peppermint extract until creamy
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Stir in cacao nibs or chocolate chips and serve!
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Chocolate Peanut Butter:
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Ingredients:
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3 bananas
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3 Tbsp cocoa powder
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1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
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Directions
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Peel, chop and freeze your bananas overnight
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In a blender or food processor, blend the bananas, cocoa powder, and peanut butter until creamy.
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Enjoy!
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3. Snickers Alternative (it’s paleo!): Chocolate Covered Almond Butter Stuffed Dates
Personally, chocolate is my kryptonite, and Snickers is one of my favorites! However, I think I have found something even better: almond butter stuffed dates with coated in paleo chocolate. It sounds weird, but trust the process, people—these guys are amazing!
Ingredients:
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15-20 pitted Medjool dates
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¼ cup natural almond butter (the fewer ingredients, the better)
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1 cup Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Chips
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1 Tbsp coconut oil
Directions:
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Slice dates down the middle to create an opening (like a hot dog bun)
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Spread almond butter in the dates. Set aside.
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Prepare two plates with parchment paper on top
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Microwave chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl in 30-second increments till melted
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Coat stuffed dates in chocolate, take out them out with a fork, and place on parchment-coated plates.
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Put dates in the freezer for one hour or let them cool until the chocolate is hard.
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Enjoy!
4. Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter
I love Nutella, but the first two ingredients are sugar and palm oil. However, to all you Nutella-lovers trying to be healthy, here is the best alternative: Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter. The first two ingredients in this are hazelnuts and almonds! It’s healthy, delicious and can be spread on anything or eaten with a spoon.
5. Healthy Black Bean Brownies
Who doesn’t love homemade brownies? They’re fudgy, chocolatey and make the perfect gift to show someone you love them. Instead of your typical, although delicious, calorie-dense brownies, why not try making a healthy, but just-as-decadent alternative! The main ingredient: black beans. Sounds scary, but don’t worry, you won’t be able to detect them at all. There are many recipes out there, but my favorite is Chocolate Covered Katie, a blog that has recipes for other healthy treats as well!
Don’t feel like baking from scratch? Good Dee’s Brownie Mix is a great alternative. It’s also gluten-free, sugar-free and low carb!
7. Chickpea Blondies
If you’re looking for a little less chocolate this Valentine’s Day, these Chickpea Blondies from one of my favorite healthy baking blogs, Dada Eats, will blow you away. They are vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free! Make sure to try these chewy, gooey bars of goodness this Valentine’s Day!
8. Healthy Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Jam-packed with vitamins, healthy fats, fiber, and potassium, avocado is one of the best and best-tasting superfoods out there. Its creaminess makes the perfect base for a delicious chocolate mousse. Here is a simple recipe for all you chocolate connoisseurs:
Ingredients:
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1 large ripe avocado
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2 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk
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1 Tbsp natural maple syrup
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3 Tbsp cocoa powder (plus more to taste)
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½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
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Blend ingredients in a blender or food processor till light and creamy!
Valentine’s Day is all about treating yourself and the ones you love, and hopefully, these dessert alternatives will bring you and your loved ones happiness and health this Valentine’s Day!