Holistic Holiday Desserts: Guilt-Free Recipes for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to gather, give thanks, and—yes—indulge a bit. But indulgence doesn’t have to mean filling up on sugar, unhealthy fats, or processed ingredients that leave us feeling sluggish. For those of us who embrace a holistic lifestyle, the goal is to nourish both body and spirit, even during the holiday season. This Thanksgiving, let’s bring some wholesome, guilt-free treats to the table. Here’s a guide to crafting delicious, nourishing desserts that everyone will love—and that you can feel great about serving.
1. Pumpkin Spice Chia Pudding
Pumpkin spice is the star of fall, and chia pudding is the perfect way to enjoy it in a light, wholesome dessert. This pudding is packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein, thanks to the chia seeds, and the pumpkin purée adds a healthy dose of vitamins A and C.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
- 1/2 cup pure pumpkin purée
- 1/4 cup chia seeds (organic options available on Amazon!)
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice blend
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey for sweetness
- A pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together the almond milk, pumpkin purée, pumpkin spice, sweetener, and sea salt until well combined.
- Stir in the chia seeds, mixing thoroughly.
- Let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Serve with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds or a dollop of coconut whipped cream for an extra treat.
Holistic Sage
Holistic Sage Tip: High-quality chia seeds and organic pumpkin spice blend can enhance the flavor and texture, making them worth the investment.
2. Maple Pecan Bars
These bars are a healthier spin on the traditional pecan pie. They’re sweetened naturally with maple syrup and have a satisfying, nutty crust made from almond and coconut flour.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (extra pure maple syrup is easy to find online!)
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix the almond flour, coconut flour, melted coconut oil, and half the maple syrup.
- Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish and bake for about 10 minutes or until golden.
- In another bowl, toss the pecans with the remaining maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt.
- Spread the pecan mixture over the crust and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until everything is set.
- Allow it to cool completely before slicing into bars.
Holistic Sage Tip: Look for organic, gluten-free almond and coconut flours, which add a light, natural sweetness without refined sugars.
3. Cranberry Orange Coconut Bliss Balls
These little bliss balls are perfect for adding a pop of bright flavor to the dessert table. They’re loaded with antioxidants from cranberries and oranges, plus healthy fats from coconut.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (no added sugar is best!)
- Zest of one orange
- 1-2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1-2 tbsp raw honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup almonds or cashews (both work well)
Instructions:
- Place the coconut, dried cranberries, orange zest, almonds, and sweetener in a food processor.
- Pulse until the mixture comes together in a sticky dough.
- Form small balls by rolling portions of the mixture between your palms.
- Place on a tray and refrigerate for about an hour before serving.
Holistic Sage Tip: Invest in a good food processor that can handle nuts and dried fruit with ease, making it easy to whip up snacks like this.
4. Sweet Potato Chocolate Mousse
Sweet potatoes might sound like a strange choice for mousse, but they add a creamy, decadent texture without the need for heavy cream or sugar. This mousse is rich in fiber, potassium, and magnesium—a perfect way to balance out a heavy meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sweet potato, cooked and peeled
- 2-3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (try to get organic cocoa powder for richer flavor)
- 1/4 cup almond milk or coconut milk
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients together in a high-speed blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust sweetness to taste, then chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
- Top with a sprinkle of cacao nibs or a few berries for an extra touch.
5. Apple Cinnamon Crumble with Oat and Nut Topping
Nothing says cozy like a warm apple crumble. This dessert is naturally sweetened with apples and a touch of maple syrup, and the crumble topping is made from oats, nuts, and coconut oil, adding satisfying crunch without refined flour or sugar.
Ingredients:
- 4-5 medium apples, thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
- 1/2 cup oats (old-fashioned oats are best)
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- A pinch of nutmeg and salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the apple slices in a baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix together the oats, almond flour, chopped nuts, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the topping is golden.
Holistic Sage Tip: Old-fashioned oats and organic coconut oil are staples for healthy baking. Adding quality oats and oils can enhance both the nutrition and flavor of your dessert.
6. Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
For chocolate lovers, these almond butter cups are a healthier twist on classic peanut butter cups. They’re simple to make, dairy-free, and sweetened with a touch of maple syrup. Keep a stash in the freezer for a quick treat!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup almond butter (look for ones without added sugars or oils)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix the almond butter, 1 tbsp coconut oil, and a touch of sweetener to form a smooth filling.
- In another bowl, combine the cocoa powder, remaining coconut oil, and more sweetener until smooth.
- Pour a bit of the chocolate mixture into silicone molds or mini cupcake liners, then add a small dollop of almond butter in the center.
- Cover with more chocolate and freeze until firm.
Holistic Sage Holiday Tips
- Prioritize Ingredients: When shopping for ingredients, prioritize organic, whole foods that are minimally processed.
- Sweeten Naturally: Use natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, and dates instead of refined sugars.
- Healthy Fats: Coconut oil, almond butter, and avocado can replace traditional oils and butters, adding nutritional value without sacrificing flavor.
By choosing clean, whole ingredients, you can create desserts that support your body’s natural rhythms—even during the holidays. Try these recipes out and see how delicious healthy desserts can be.
Thank you for joining me in the journey to a healthier, happier Thanksgiving. I’d love to hear from you—what holiday dessert traditions are you bringing to your table this year? Share your thoughts, favorite ingredients, and go-to recipes with me in the comments. Let’s make this season deliciously wholesome together!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Anastasia Holistic Sage 🌿
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