Healthy Desserts

This is for fudge and brownie lovers out there who want to enjoy their decadent squares sans flour and refined sugar.

For a look at this recipe without pictures, view:

Easy Healthy Fudge Recipe

I have this cousin who has long had a serious weakness for creamy desserts. Specifically, creamy vanilla icing commonly found on top of cupcakes. About a year ago, she decided to eschew dairy to see if avoiding casein and whey would help her overcome chronic eczema. She went all out, and within a month, her rashes melted away - it was one of those cases where the improvement was so rapid that the doer swore off pasteurized and homogenized dairy for life.

Though this recipe for Quinoa Chocolate Chunk Cookies includes some refined ingredients like sugar, seeing as we had never run across a quinoa-filled cookie, Kristen whipped it up for all to see with the understanding that those who prefer all-natural ingredients can use substitutes for sugar, butter, etc. So please, no finger-pointing comments from the food police on this one. Thanks, and enjoy. - Ben Kim

For a satisfying treat that's made with all-natural ingredients, these chocolate hazelnut logs are difficult to top. They're abundant in calcium, magnesium, and healthy protein, making them excellent fuel to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. - Ben Kim

If you're doing your body good by avoiding pasteurized dairy products but you miss eating cheesecake, you'll want to give this delicious dairy-free, all-raw, blueberry cheesecake recipe a try.

The "cheese" in this cheesecake is made with raw, organic cashews, and the crust is made with a combination of macadamia nuts, dates, and dried coconut. This cheesecake requires some work, but it's definitely worth the effort!

What do you get when you combine macadamia nuts, coconut shreds, walnuts, avocados, fresh lime juice, dates, honey, and sea salt? Only the healthiest version of key lime pie that I've ever tried. The crust requires some patience and elbow grease, but it's completely worth the effort.

One sad reality that jumps out at me with every trip to the health food store is that the vast majority of energy bars on the market provide about the same nutritional value as most candy bars, but with some processed protein powder thrown into the mix and at twice the cost of a good old Snickers bar.

If pecan pie is on your mind, you and your guests will love this raw and healthy version. It's loaded with healthy protein, healthy fatty acids, fiber, and a number of bone-building minerals. Unlike most traditional pie recipes, this one is completely free of dairy, gluten, and processed sugar. Enjoy!

Sometimes called mignardises, these protein-rich cashew treats are typically served in high-end restaurants. With this recipe, you don't need a big wallet to enjoy the best mignardises around. Just a few balls goes a long way, so plan on making just a few balls per person. If you have leftovers, keep in mind that they freeze well; simply let them thaw out for about ten minutes before devouring.

A healthier version of Reese peanut butter cups, these chocolate cashew butter cups deliver plenty of heart-healthy flavonoids and healthy protein. If cashew butter isn't your thing, feel free to substitute with your preferred nut butter - almond butter and organic peanut butter work just as well, though both are less naturally sweet than cashew butter, so you may want to add a little more honey to the filling. - Ben Kim