3 Healthy Halloween Treats

The words “healthy” and “Halloween” aren’t usually two things that go together. However, while it can be difficult to stick to healthy eating habits in the days surrounding this holiday, it’s certainly not impossible. This Halloween, skip the candy and serve one of these tasty, homemade treats instead!

Spiced Pumpkin-Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

2/3 cup old-fashioned oats

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fine salt

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

3/4 cup raw sugar

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy, large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and allspice. Stir to blend. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, syrup and vanilla; whisk to blend. Using a flexible rubber spatula, gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture. Stir in the raisins.
3. For each cookie, drop 1 generous tablespoon of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the mounds about 1 inch apart. Using moistened fingertips, flatten each to a 2-inch-diameter round.
4. Bake the cookies until brown and a bit firm to the touch, 17 to 20 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to a rack and cool completely.

Tropical Candy Corn Ice Pops

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut milk (from a 15 oz. can)

5 drops liquid stevia, to taste (plain or vanilla)

1 cup frozen pineapple

1 cup frozen peaches

1/2 cup orange juice or water

Directions:

1. Sweeten coconut milk to taste with a few drops of stevia. Fill about 1/3 of the ice pop molds or small paper cups with coconut milk. Insert popsicle sticks and cover with pop mold cover or plastic wrap. Place in the freezer to freeze completely.
2. In a blender, puree pineapple with just enough water to blend until thick and smooth. Fill the second third of the ice pop mold with the pineapple. Freeze.
3. Blend frozen peaches with enough orange juice to blend. Fill the pop molds the rest of the way up. Freeze.
4. Release pops by running briefly under warm water. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup of coconut milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup of canned pumpkin

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

1 scoop of protein powder (your choice of flavor, but we suggest vanilla)

1/2 cup ice cubes

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. If you like it a little thicker, add more ice cubes.

No tricks here — these nutritious treats are scary good.