Sweeten Your Valentine’s Day with Healthy Treats

We all love to celebrate holiday traditions, which often include an array of treats. With a little preplanning, you can ensure they’re healthy too. In our schools, we always try to be mindful about serving snacks that are both delicious and healthy. Berries provide a great way to add natural sweetness and a flair of fun to Valentine’s Day goodies.

Try a few of our simple, Grow Fit^®-inspired recipes at home to serve up a fun spin on holiday treats. They can add a dash of love to a special Valentine’s Day breakfast or provide a healthy substitute for store-bought candy or cookies.

Very Berry Whip (Serves 2 to 4)

Ingredients:

1 cup sliced frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen raspberries
¼ cup nonfat milk
1 ½ tsp. sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.
2. Scoop into small dishes and serve immediately.

Baked Strawberries (Serves 2)

Ingredients:

1 quart of strawberries, washed and sliced

Directions:

1. Place strawberries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Bake for 3 hours at 210 degrees Fahrenheit, mixing periodically.
3. Once dehydrated, let cool before serving.

Raspberry Cheesecake Balls Yields (Yields 20)

Ingredients:

½ cup quick oats
1 cup coconut flour
¼ cup dry powdered milk
¼ cup cream cheese
¼ cup freeze-dried raspberries, crushed
2 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1-2 Tbsp. milk

Directions:

1. Mix oats, coconut flour, dry milk, cream cheese, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl with an electric mixer.
2. If the dough is too crumbly, gradually add 1 to 2 Tablespoons of milk until smooth and moldable.
3. Fold in crushed raspberries.
4. Form into balls with hands (1-inch in diameter).
5. Chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until firm before serving.