Like many kids, my son has recently oohed and ahhed over the various candy cane decorations adorning things these days, including ones designated especially for his room. I told him what they were called, and quickly rethought my decision to do so… He may be a nearly-two-year-old who eats pretty healthy by my account, but since Halloween, “candy” is definitely a word in his vocabulary that he knows and loves. I think he’s too young for the hard-natured quality of a candy cane, so one day the thought struck me to bake him Betty Crocker-style candy cane cookies instead.
After a quick Pinterest look-up for a recipe to pin before this seemingly-perfect idea escaped me, I was lead to a recipe that included red food dye, along with several ingredients that simply seemed like “junk.” I love the idea of giving my son a true treat during the holidays, but every time he has too much sugar or artificial anything, he just doesn’t act like himself. Finding the perfect holiday recipe was going to take some research. Days passed since then and I still needed to get together my game plan for the family cookie-making day, when I remembered that alternatively I could dye the cookie dough red with boiled cranberries or pomegranate juice (which, bonus, are in season now). But, why not also think backwards? Instead of finding recipes first, think about what foods I like, and then think of and search for recipes from there.
I typically favor simple and thought it would be nice to drizzle quality, melted chocolate over our favorite healthier-variety graham crackers or easy-to-eat pretzels. You could dip them, however a totally encased cracker or pretzel will have tons more sugar and be a lot messier to eat. Maybe add a few sea salt flakes to mimic snowflakes to be a “real food” alternative to artificially-colored sprinkles?
On the thought of making our favorite foods festive, I alternated sliced strawberries and bananas for a fruit faux candy cane that was received very well at snack time. And to add some fun to lunch time, whip out your holiday cookie cutters and dress them up with lunchtime usuals, such as cream cheese spread on bread cut out with a snowflake cookie cutter and some shredded cheese for “snow” or hummus spread on pita bread cut out with a Christmas tree cookie cutter and decorated with green and red bell peppers for ornaments.
Or a gingerbread man out of toasted bread, spread with a thin layer of peanut butter, raisins for eyes, strawberry jam for a smile and blueberries for buttons. Definitely use what you have on hand. And y’all, the gingerbread man peanut butter sandwich I made came together faster than I thought. The mouth and eyes were added quickly in the time I heard my son wake up from a nap to when I got him a couple minutes later.
I also found a cookie recipe we like. For a healthful, hearty cookie that won’t cause a major sugar crash, try Cranberry Flax Cookies, made with organic coconut sugar, that add to their diet protein, fiber and Omega 3 benefits. I found these surprisingly irresistible.
So whether you replace the red dye or search for healthier Christmas cookies this season, I hope you find recipes that delight their taste buds and give you good piece of mind, among all the other treats they’re sure to find coming out of places other than your kitchen.
What is your favorite healthy holiday treat?
What great ideas. Thanks Colleen!