The holidays are usually when we tend to forgo healthy eating to indulge in classic holiday dishes and sugary desserts. But you can still indulge this season while keeping nutrition a top priority. By cooking up some classic baked goods and dishes with a nutritional and nutty twist, you can still indulge in your favorite desserts. Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 ALA (2.5g/oz), which means they provide good fats that your body needs to function. Per ounce, they also have protein (4g), fiber (2g) and are a good source of magnesium (45mg).
So revel in the holidays and scrumptious better-for-you favorites with the help of California walnuts.
Healthfully Indulgent Baking (or No-Baking)
Start the holiday season off right with a few of these sweet treats. These Avocado Walnut Brownies are rich and chocolaty with a touch of sea salt that enhances the caramel flavors. Packed with the good fats from avocados and walnuts, these brownies are sure to satisfy. And, with some added options to substitute in vegan butter or gluten-free flour, you can easily make them your own and turn them into the perfect holiday dessert to satisfy anyone’s dietary needs!
If your oven is overloaded, try one of these healthier and tasty no-bake options instead:
- Spice-Coated Maple-Walnut Nuggets are an exceptional treat that are made with just 6 ingredients in 15 minutes. Between the ground walnuts, maple syrup, a little coating of cinnamon-sugar and a pinch of salt, no one will believe you whipped these up so easily.
- If you need a little chocolate, No-Bake Walnut, Cocoa, Cherry Bars are delicious, healthful and a great pick-me-up. Sweetened with nature’s candy, Medjool dates, and tart dried cherries, the combination of oats, walnuts and cocoa powder makes for a satisfying holiday treat.
- This velvety plant-based Walnut, Chocolate and Avocado Mousse is so very easy to make but looks like it came from a Michelin star restaurant. In this recipe, walnut butter combines with cocoa, honey and buttery avocado. Serve in a decorative dish and garnish your masterpiece with raspberries and glazed walnuts for a delicate final touch.
Comfort Food Reimagined
After a busy day of shopping, decorating, caroling and cooking, why not cuddle up with a Christmas story and a cup of hot tea while indulging in this ultimate comfort food? This Walnut Banana Bread has delicious walnuts throughout the loaf and is lightened up with healthier swaps such as maple syrup and Greek yogurt.
Do you ever wish to eat cookie dough by the spoonful and not feel even a single crumb of guilt? You can! The light oat flour, sweet coconut sugar and coconut oil, plus those classic chocolate chips, make for a delicious and nutritious spin on this treat.
Holiday Baked Goods
Try to imagine Christmas without cookies. You can’t. So don’t!
For something chocolaty, these Gluten-Free Walnut Brownie Cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth, while keeping the sugar at a minimum. They are gooey and nutty enough to make for yourself, but you’ll want to share and spread the holiday cheer.
For the ultimate holiday experience, you can’t forget to make some cookies shaped by Grandma’s old cookie cutters. These Ginger Walnut Cookies are the perfect substitute for the everyday sugar cookie. The chopped crystallized ginger adds such a distinct flavor, and the cinnamon glaze is a perfect festive accent.
The holidays are a time to enjoy family, friends and yummy food. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be health-conscious in your recipe choices. With a little help from California walnuts, you can create delectable dishes that you can feel good about serving to your family.
