Sweet Treats Without Sabotaging your Health and Fitness Goals

Do snowy days just make you want to bake?
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I don't know if it's the smell of chocolate chip cookies or brownies that bring me back to my childhood or wanting an escape from feeling cooped up inside all day, but the urge is real!

So, how do you stay committed to your health and wellness goals, while also enjoying some of your favorite past indulgences?

Simple, with a few simple substitutions!

These 3 simple, low sugar recipes are sure to be a hit with young and old alike!​

Chocolate Chip Cookies
(Recipe from the Fixate Cookbook )
Serves: 26 (1 cookie each)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 16 minutes
Ingredients:

• 3 cups almond flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or raw honey)
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites (1/4 cup)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet (or dark) chocolate chips

How To:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F
2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. Combine almond flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; mix well. Set aside.
4. Beat oil and maple syrup in a large mixer bowl until creamy, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
5. Add egg, egg whites, and extract; beat for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Add almond flour mixture to egg mixture; mix until blended.
7. Add chocolate chips; mix until just blended.
8. Drop by rounded Tbsp onto prepared baking sheet. Flatten cookies with a spatula if traditional cookie appearance is desired. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Store in an airtight container.​

Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 126, Total Fat: 10 g, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 5 g, Protein: 3 g

Peanutty Peanut Butter Squares
(Recipe from the Fixate Cookbook)
Serves: 16 (1 square each)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 23 minutes​
Ingredients:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1.5 cups all-natural smooth peanut butter
• 1/2 cup raw honey (or pure maple syrup)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, gluten-free

How To:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Lightly coat 8x8-inch baking pan with spray. Set aside.
3. Combine peanut butter, honey, extract, eggs, and baking soda in a large bow; mix well.
4. Evenly spread batter into prepared pan. Smooth top with a spatula.
5. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes. Squares may be a little sodt when coming out of the oven, but they will continue to cook.
6. Cool. Cut into squares.​

Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 182, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 13 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugars: 10 g, Protein: 7 g

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Paleo Banana Nut Muffins
( Recipe from https://paleogrubs.com/ )​
Serves: 12 (1 muffin)
Ingredients:

• ​4 bananas, mashed with a fork (the more ripe, the better)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

How To:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a muffin tin with cups. In a large bowl, add bananas, eggs, almond butter, coconut oil, and vanilla. Using a hand blender, blend to combine.
2. Add in the coconut flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Blend into the wet mixture, scraping down the sides with a spatula. Distribute the batter evenly into the lined muffin tins, filling each about two-thirds of the way full.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm or store in the refrigerator in a resealable bag.

Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 161, Total Fat: 10.3 g, Carbohydrates: 14.1 g, Fiber 4 g, Sugars: 5.6 g, Protein: 5.2 g

What are some of your favorite goodies to bake on these cold, snowy days???