I hope you’re enjoying preparations to Christmas and Festive holiday season? It usually brings the time to indulge your sweet tooth and comfort food cravings. But just because you're indulging doesn't mean you need to fill up on junk food. These ideas for healthy Christmas treats cover a range of sweets, from traditional cookies rendered vegan and raw to natural fruit gussied up in holiday style. All easy to whip up with only a few ingredients in just a couple of minutes. Pretty presentations make for crowd-pleasing party foods, and they're great to give as homemade food gifts, too!

1. Coconut Bliss Balls

Dark chocolate and coconut combine to give these decadent treats a striking black-and-white presentation that's great for serving to a holiday crowd or gifting as edible presents. They’re vegan, paleo, and sugar-free — plus, they take just a few minutes to pull together.

Get the recipe from Cinnamon and Coriander

2. Apple and Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Peanut butter sandwiched between apple slices makes for a nutritious, kid-friendly snack any time of year. Give the snack a Christmas twist by cutting out the centers with festive cookie-cutter shapes, like stars or snowmen.

Get the recipe from Healthy Little Eaters

3. Chocolate Protein Balls

These chocolate protein balls are rich and satisfying — with nary an animal product or shred of added sugar. Think dates, raisins, orange juice, and vegan white chocolate among the ingredient list.

Get the recipe from Healthy and Psyched

4. Cinnamon Apple Chips

Nothing could be simpler than these two-ingredient cinnamon apple chips — yes, just cinnamon and apples with no added sugar — which take merely five minutes to make. Don’t be intimidated: There's no dehydrator required.

Get the recipe from Trial and Eater 

5. Raw Gingerbread Cookie Balls

There are few holiday treats more iconic than gingerbread cookies. Give them a healthy twist with this flavorful and moist gingerbread cookie dough that is raw and vegan. No butter or eggs here; dates contribute to the natural sweetness.

Get the recipe from Raw Manda 

6. No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

If you love Reese’s peanut butter cups and other store-bought Christmas candies, think of these healthy Christmas treats as a less processed, more nutritious, home-made alternative. Modify the recipe with low-fat peanut butter and sugar-free chocolate chips if you prefer. These festive peanut butter balls are easy to whip up and are perfect for gift giving.

Get the recipe from Perfection Pending 

7. Vegan Speculoos Cookies

These vegan speculoos cookies banish refined sugar and oil, but are filled with spices, flax seed, and citrus zest for a flavor-packed punch. They make adorable holiday gifts and pair perfectly with a hot, cozy beverage.

Get the recipe from Sarah's Vegan Guide

Enjoy and please let us know if you have any more to add!

Source: goodhousekeeping.com