Healthy Desserts
What do a smooth, chocolatey pudding and a creamy, peanut butter and banana frozen dessert have in common? These delicious, family-friendly sweet treats are fun and easy to make with kids and, best of all, have no added sugar! Another bonus: They are also vegetarian and gluten free.
Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients:
- 1 can of coconut milk (not light)
- 4 to 6 pitted dates, sliced or torn into small pieces (kids can help tear)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions:
- Put a can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for six hours or overnight (the coconut milk will separate from the cream). Open the can and pour the coconut milk into a bowl, leaving the thick coconut cream at the bottom of the can.
- Place date pieces (chop them up until they are as fine as possible) in a blender or food processor with 1 tablespoon of coconut milk.
- Add the coconut cream from the can to the blender, along with the cocoa. Blend with the dates, adding a little more coconut milk. (Use the remainder for another purpose.) Blend again until smooth and creamy. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Peanut Butter Banana Frozen Dessert
Ingredients:
- 4 bananas, peeled, sliced and frozen for a couple hours or overnight (have your child count out and peel the bananas and place on a cookie sheet to freeze)
- ¼ – ½ cup creamy peanut butter (depending on how much peanut flavor you like)
- 2 tablespoons milk (or use coconut milk, almond milk or soy milk)
Directions:
- Place sliced bananas in blender or food processor. Blend, stopping to move bananas to the middle to blend evenly.
- Add milk and blend again until smooth.
- Add peanut butter and blend again for a few seconds until it is incorporated and is the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. Serve immediately.
Did You Know?
Bananas are a great source of potassium and vitamin B6. Dates are high in calcium and iron, and peanut butter
provides protein and healthy fats for a balanced diet. Coconut oil provides vitamin E and increases “good” (HDL) cholesterol.
