3 Easy, Healthy Holiday Treats

Already sick of holiday cookies? We’re here to help. 

---

The holiday season can be draining — traveling, dodging your aunt’s questions regarding your nonexistent significant other, ignoring your mom when she asks you to actually unpack your suitcase. You know how it is. So when it comes to making treats for parties, family get-togethers, and gift exchanges, you want something fast and easy that doesn’t require a million ingredients. Go unpack, and tell your mom you’ve got dessert covered tonight. Here are three of our favorite super simple holiday-themed treat recipes.

---

Frozen Yogurt Bark

Fro-yo in December? I know, I know, but it’ll be the talk of the party with the cute little kiwi Christmas trees. It’s also light and refreshing after those heavy holiday meals!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups natural Greek yogurt

• 3 kiwi

• 5 strawberries (chopped into small pieces)

• 1 tablespoon dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Thinly slice the kiwis and then, using a tree shaped cookie cutter, cut a tree from each slice.

2. Line a rimmed baking tray with baking paper.

3. Pour the yogurt into the center of the tray and spread evenly.

4. Place the kiwi trees, strawberries and cranberries as desired onto the yogurt.

5. Freeze until completely solid (approximately four hours).

6. Cut into sections and serve.

7. Place sections into a Ziplock bag and store in the freezer.

Recipe adapted from Healthy Little Foodies.

---

Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

With these roasting in the oven, you won’t even have to light a festive candle. They’ll make your house smell amazing. Kind of like when Cher dumped a roll of cookie dough on a baking sheet and popped it into the oven in “Clueless” (but better).

 Ingredients:

• 1 egg white

• 1 teaspoon cold water

• 2 cups whole raw almonds

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg white and water until frothy.

3. Add almonds, and stir to coat all almonds.

4. Sprinkle on cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, and stir again until almonds are well coated.

5. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat.

6. Bake for one hour, stirring three to four times during cooking.

7. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

 Recipe adapted from Rachel Cooks.

---

Chocolate Dipped Mandarin Oranges

A fresher take on the chocolate-candy orange that I look forward to in the bottom of my Christmas stocking each December. You don’t even have to do any actual cooking for these puppies. They’re perfect for little kids and adults alike.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. dark chocolate or milk chocolate, chopped

• 4 oz. white chocolate, chopped

• 6-7 large mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented

• Coarse or flaked sea salt (optional)

• Multi-color sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Place white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring well between intervals until melted and smooth.

3. Dip half of the mandarin orange slices in white chocolate, dipping halfway, then lift and and let excess run off. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.

4. Sprinkle with sprinkles if desired before white chocolate starts to set.

5. Place dark chocolate in a separate microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring well between intervals until melted and smooth.

6. Dip remaining half of the mandarin oranges in chocolate, dipping halfway, then lift and let excess run off. Transfer to lined baking sheet, sprinkle lightly with sea salt if desired.

7. Transfer baking sheets to refrigerator and chill just until chocolate has set, about five to 10 minutes. Serve immediately for best results.

Recipe adapted from Bloglovin’.

Want to share a sweet treat you’re making this year? Let us know below or on social at @AuburnCampusRec!

Be well, Auburn.

---

Photography: Kyleigh M.