Holiday meals are meant to be enjoyed – why skip dessert? Don’t be afraid to indulge a little this year – even if you struggle with gut health. At IgY Nutrition, we’re all about balance.
We put together some healthy-ish (emphasis on the “ish”) dessert recipes for the holidays just in case you’d like to avoid the digestive symptoms this year.
If you’d rather go big and stuff yourself with regular pie instead – this is your sign to go right ahead!
Gluten-Free Pie Crust
Are you dealing with leaky gut syndrome? Maybe you read our blog about avoiding gluten for gut barrier integrity and are looking to avoid it.
If that’s you this year, we put together a recipe for gluten-free pie crust. Feel free to use any pie filling of your choice.
The following recipe makes enough for a 12-inch pie crust.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of all-purpose gluten-free flour
- 6 tbsp chilled, organic, unsalted butter
- ½ cup organic sour cream
- ¾ tsp xanthan gum
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Directions:
- Mix your dry ingredients in a bowl (flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, salt).
- Cut your butter into small chunks and add it to the mix. Stir until each piece of butter is coated in the dry mixture.
- Use your hands to smush the butter until it’s flat.
- Add your sour cream and thoroughly mix.
- Use your hands to knead the dough until its texture is consistent. You can add a few teaspoons of ice water if it is needed.
- Flatten the dough and wrap it in plastic.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375.
- Grease your 12-inch pie pan (preferably with organic butter).
- Roll the dough out and place it on top of your pie pan.
- Bake your pie crust for about 10 minutes.
- Add your pie filling and enjoy!
Dairy-Free Egg Nog
Are you lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy? Not to worry – you can still enjoy a cup of delicious, homemade dairy-free egg nog.
A bonus to this recipe is the antioxidants it includes. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and coconut milk all contain gut-healthy polyphenols. Plus, there’s even a tiny bit of protein in this recipe!
Let’s jump in!
This recipe makes four servings of egg nog.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups canned whole fat coconut milk
- 2 egg yolks
- ⅛ cup maple syrup
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
- Blend your maple syrup and egg yolks in a blender until they are fluffy.
- Simmer the coconut milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon over medium-high heat.
- Put the maple syrup and egg yolk mixture into the coconut milk mixture on the stove.
- Simmer and stir until the consistency is smooth and thorough. You may add it back to the blender for another spin if needed.
- Add your vanilla and enjoy!
Sugar-Free Gingerbread Cookies
Are you focused on reducing inflammation in your gut? You may be looking to reduce your sugar intake.
Try these gingerbread cookies for some sugar-free indulgence!
This recipe makes ten gingerbread cookies.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup + 3 tbsp white whole wheat flour
- ½ tsp cornstarch
- ⅛ tsp baking powder
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- ¾ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp unsalted organic butter
- ½ an egg
- ¾ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ cup molasses
- 1 tsp stevia
Directions:
- In a bowl, mix your dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt).
- Mix your wet ingredients (butter, egg, molasses, stevia, and vanilla extract) in a different bowl.
- Combine the two concoctions to make your dough.
- Flatten the dough and cover with plastic wrap.
- Put the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour or longer.
- Preheat your oven to 325.
- Pur some parchment paper on a baking sheet. If you don’t have that, heavily grease the sheet with butter.
- Roll out your dough.
- Use a cookie cutter to make a gingerbread man shape. If you don’t have a cookie-cutter, you can make them into circles, hearts, or design your own shapes.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Use any icing of your choice and enjoy!
Thanks for joining us today. If you try any of these recipes, let us know by tagging us on Instagram @igynutrition. Happy holidays!
