Food

These bars were designed as a transitional dessert, moving away from conventional options laden with dairy and refined flour. They have developed a devout following among those aiming to phase out nutrient-devoid sweets and progress to healthier options.

Tip: Sticky situation

Gluten free | Vegan | Nut free

Gluten free | Dairy free

Here’s proof that hummus can take on many personalities, and this unexpected dessert version is a tasty filling for stuffed dates, resulting in sweet and creamy portable rocket fuel. Extra hummus is a great dip for fresh fruit.

Watch the clock

If you want to make your day in the woods a little more gourmet you’ll want to bring along a few of these stuffed crepes to slay workout hunger and keep your legs feeling energized. And who doesn’t love peanut butter with banana? (Hint: nobody.) Bring extras to share with your exercise partners and you’re sure to become a trail hero.

Under wraps

Consider this cooling panna cotta after a spicy Thai curry. Employ Thai (purple) basil for the zippiest result, though regular basil works just as well. Agar is a tasteless seaweed derivative that sets liquids much like gelatin, but it’s suitable for plant-based diets. You can find agar flakes at many health food stores.

Tip: Thyme + lemon

Look for the chocolate mint variety of fresh mint at your local garden center, or use any variety of fresh mint you can find. Chocolate mint has a built-in chocolate flavor, making it fantastic for desserts featuring this classic combo.

Tip: Mint to be

This cloudlike dessert gives ice cream a run for its money. A tangy yogurt mousse is topped with a floral strawberry jam and garnished with (surprise!) black pepper. If you’d like a bit of crunch, top with chopped pistachios or almonds.

Tip: Pump up the jam

Quick and decadent, these banana split kebabs pack all the flavour of the classic colossal confection into a tasty linear treat. For speedy assembly when the mood strikes, keep a few cans of full-fat coconut milk in the refrigerator, as the separation of coconut cream and coconut water takes at least 8 hours.

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This is not only a delicious warm-weather treat, but it’s also the nutritious answer to the call of the ice cream truck. Loaded with good-for-you almonds, dates, oats, and chia seeds, these ice cream bars will be tops on your truck stop list. But be warned: they won’t last long!

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The chances of finding someone who hasn’t unapologetically devoured a package of chocolate peanut butter morsels at some point in time is as likely as a snowstorm in the Sahara. And, yes, making a batch of homemade better-for-you cups filled with creamy peanut butter goodness is far from a high-flying feat. Plus, you get the chance to elevate them with exciting add-ins such as spices, crunchy cacao nibs, and a whisper of salt. If you don’t want to use peanut butter, almond butter works great too. Or if you want these to be nut free, employ sunflower butter. For the most antioxidant goodness, choose chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cocoa.

Most often made with razor-thin slices of beef or fish, think of this Instagram-ready dish as carpaccio for dessert lovers. And since it features slices of vitamin C-rich kiwi, your immune system may benefit as much as your taste buds. You could also sprinkle on some granola and call it breakfast.

Tips

• Skyr yogurt is an Icelandic style of yogurt with a thick texture, a bit like Greek yogurt. It’s now readily available in dairy aisles.
• One recent study found that adding kiwi to your diet may also help improve sleep quality, which plays a role in your overall defence against infections.

Bright, inviting winter citrus punctuates creamy dairy-free coconut yogurt imbued with vanilla. It’s a sophisticated treat that can be dialled up in presentation or kept rustic, retaining its homespun vibe.

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Don’t be surprised if this dessert gets you a few extra smooches. While the chocolate mousse is delicious on its own, the extra flourishes make it truly special. Feel free to substitute any type of bean aquafaba if you don’t have a can of black beans on hand.

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Who thinks fruit crisps need to be baked? This rich red dessert certainly doesn’t. And by not baking, there’s less risk of nutrient loss. This crumble is easy to assemble and guaranteed to impress. More importantly, it’s chock full of antioxidants—the darling essential for heart-healthy goodness.

Wine pairing

You won’t taste the avocado in these creamy treats infused with the world’s tastiest superfood duo—chocolate and tea. Fudgelike, dense, and secretly healthy, these Valentine’s Day-worthy truffles truly deliver.

This elegant truffle showcases fragrant coconut, rich in healthy fats, and vitamin C-packed goji berries.

Hazelnuts and chocolate were meant to be together. Rolled in sharp antioxidant- and magnesium-packed cacao nibs, there’s no need to wait for a special occasion to whip these up. They taste similar to the chocolate hazelnut spread that’s found in so many kitchens, but are lightened up for an energizing treat you can feel good about.

Truffles for a pre- or post-exercise snack? Yes, indeed! Protein, potassium, magnesium, and complex carbohydrates are just a few of the standout health features in these tasty morsels.

With antioxidant-rich blueberries and fibre-filled quinoa flakes, these bites stand up to the traditional sugar-heavy fruit cream variation. Try strawberries or raspberries in place of blueberries—it’s hard to go wrong with berries and cream!    

This show-stopping, make-ahead, no-bake, vegan matcha cake is a grown-up version of a childhood favourite: ice cream cake. Sweet, creamy, and refreshing, this is one recipe you might find yourself repeating through the year.

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These pretty muffins are a great on-the-go breakfast or midday snack. The spottier and browner the bananas, the better for this recipe. Very ripe bananas have a stronger banana taste, making for a tastier muffin.

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This delish dish, topped with tropical fruits and shaved coconut, will leave you with one question: can anything this easy be good—and good for you? Actually, yes. Much of this pudding’s nutritional power comes from black rice, which has more protein and fiber than any other rice (take that, jasmine!). Plus, it has the highest amount of antioxidants. If you’re not feeling fancy, this pudding is delicious topped with orange segments, sliced banana and toasted almonds instead of some of the more exotic fruits.

A pillowy meringue that’s crisp on the outside, marshmallowy soft on the inside, and topped with whipped coconut cream and berries is a Mother’s Day brunch finale that wows. This dessert is suitable for gluten-free moms and guests.

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