5 Healthy Christmas Treats

Rather than filling up on all the unhealthy goodies that seem to abound at Christmas time, prepare ahead by making a few of these five healthy Christmas treats. Even the kids will appreciate these sweets, and when they have visions of sugar plums dance through. Oh, wait! Sugar plums are a healthy Christmas treat, too!

Sugar Plums

• 2 cups toasted almonds
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. grated orange zest
• 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 cup pitted date, finely chopped
• 1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
• 1 cup confectioner's sugar

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Roll teaspoons of the mixture into small balls. Roll the balls in confectioner's sugar and set on waxed paper.
3. Refrigerate in a sealed container.

Honey Roast Pecans

Pecans are a Christmas favorite. Roasting them with honey makes them a healthy Christmas treat.

• 4 cups whole, shelled pecans
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 tbsp. maple syrup
• 2 tbsp. honey

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the cinnamon, syrup and honey together. Add the pecans and stir well. Pour out the mix onto the lined cookie sheet and spread out to fill pan.
3. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Cornflakes Goodies

Cornflakes and peanut butter are healthy ingredients in these Christmas treats.

• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 9 cups corn flakes

1. Mix corn syrup and brown sugar in a saucepan. Stir well and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.
2. Pour corn flakes in a large mixing bowl. Pour the heated mix over the flakes and combine with a spoon.
3. Use your hands to form the mixture into patties, or drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and press flat with your hand. Let cool.

Chocolate-Dipped Nutty Pretzels

Indulge in a chocolatey, healthy Christmas treat.

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 24 thick pretzel sticks
• 12 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate morsels

1. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Spread the chopped walnuts onto a flat dish.
2. Heat a double-boiler on the stove on medium heat. Pour the chocolate morsels into the top pot and melt, stirring often.
3. When chocolate has melted, dip 2 inches of the end of each pretzel stick into the melted chocolate, and then roll the end of the stick in the chopped walnuts. Place the stick on the waxed paper to cool. 

Peanut Butter Balls

Prepare these quick-fix Christmas treats ahead of time.

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup crispy rice cereal
• 1 individual serving packet instant cocoa mix

1. Mix honey and peanut butter together.
2. Add cocoa and mix well. Stir in the rice cereal and mix until coated.
3. Form into 1 1/2 inch balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.