Healthy & Delicious Holiday Dessert Recipes

By Avery Carruthers

Fall is one of my absolute favorite seasons. Why? Gosh, where do I begin? For starters, Starbucks releases the #PSL, otherwise known as the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I could drink four a day, at least. I also love the colorful leaves during autumn. The browns, yellows, greens, and oranges all blend together beautifully. Since the winter holidays are just around the corner, what better way to celebrate this holiday season than with healthy food? Lucky for you, I am here to discuss some amazing seasonal favorites and easy healthy and delicious recipes so you too can enjoy them as well...

1.) Pie

Originally, I only wanted to mention pumpkin pie, but why stop there? Fall is such an amazing time of year because we get to celebrate with delicious desserts and pastries! I personally love cherry and raspberry pies, but I’m sure there are many apple pie lovers out there. Here is a recipe so you can bake a pumpkin pie in your own home! And you can also decorate your home with pumkins.

Chocholate raspberry cream pie

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 can Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin 
• 1 can Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk 
• 1 unbaked 9-inch deep dish pie shells

Directions 

• Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. 
• Pour into pie shell. 
• Bake in preheated 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees, bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on rack for 2 hours.

Raspberry lemonade pie

2.) Pumpkin Quesadillas

That’s right, I said pumpkin quesadillas. I admit that it sounds odd at first, but trust me, you will not want to miss out on this fall recipe. Thanks to chef Rachael Ray, anyone can make these at his or her leisure!

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned pure pumpkin puree 
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
• Eight 8-inch flour tortillas 
• 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled 
• 1/2 cup chopped, toasted walnuts 
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions

• Stir pumpkin and cumin into a bowl and then season over 4 tortillas.
• Sprinkle with cheese and nuts, and then top with remaining tortillas. in a large skillet, hear 1 tbsp. oil on medium low. 
• Cook quesadillas one at a time, turning once and then adding more oil between batches until browned.

Low carb pumpkin quesadilla 

3.) Butternut Pudding

What is butternut pudding? Sounds interesting, right? Squash does not always have to be savory. With this quick recipe, squash can also have a sweet side.

Ingredients

• Two 10 ounce packages thawed frozen butternut squash 
• One 14 ounce can coconut milk 
• 4 eggs 
• 1/2 cup maple syrup 
• Whipped cream

Directions

• Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Blend squash, coconut milk, eggs and syrup. 
• Pour into 8-inch baking dish and then put the dish into a roasting pan. 
• Pour boiling water halfway up the dish to make it bath. 
• Bake for one hour and top with cream!

Butternutscotch Pudding

So there you have it, folks! I hope you enjoy these quick and easy delicious recipes as much as I do. What are your favorite holiday recipes? I want to try them! 

Signing off from Seattle, xxx!

No bake peanut butter pie

Dark chocolate raspberry cake 

Chocolate Brownie Cake with Raspberries
(Low Fat and Vegan)