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Low-Sugar Christmas Candy

December 05, 2016
Photo: Brian Woodcock
'Tis the season to indulge, but don't let the abundance of holiday treats get you down. You can control your sugar intake and enjoy a few festive sweets with these homemade low-sugar goodies. We avoid sugar alternatives by using creative—and often cleaner—ingredients such as honey, maple sugar, dates, and unsweetened cocoa powder to lend just the right amount of sweetness. These Christmas candies are also perfect for gifts and holiday parties, so stop craving and start baking.
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Date and Almond Truffles

Photo: Nina Choi
View Recipe: Date and Almond Truffles

This dessert is for those at the table who want just a little something sweet. Store truffles in an airtight container for up to five days.

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Refined Sugar-Free Buckeyes image

Photo: Hannah Burkhalter; Prop Styling: Hannah Burkhalter
View Recipe: Refined Sugar-Free Buckeyes

Buckeyes are a classic holiday dessert. Chocolate and peanut butter are a can't-be-beat combo, but most recipes for this confection are loaded with confectioners' sugar. We gave this sweet treat a sugar-free makeover by using dates instead of sugar and cream cheese instead of butter to keep the luscious texture and delightful flavor you have come to expect from a classic Buckeye candy.

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Brown Sugar-Spiced Nut Mix

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Brown Sugar-Spiced Nut Mix

Achieve a bronze-like patina on these candied nuts by keeping a close watch near the end of their roasting time. Too long and they'll overdarken and take on a bitter flavor.

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Almond Cherry Oat Balls with Vegan Caramel Drizzle

Photo: Hannah Burkhalter; Prop Styling: Hannah Burkhalter
View Recipe: Almond Cherry Oat Balls with Vegan Caramel Drizzle

These nutty dessert balls are naturally sweetened by dried cherries, honey, and a vegan caramel drizzle. You have found the perfect alternative to processed-sugar laden cookies and desserts. Trade in the old for a flavorful, lightly sweet and satisfying treat.

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Honey Taffy

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Honey Taffy

Both kids and adults will enjoy stretching the honey into taffy, and the longer you stretch the honey, the easier and more pliable the taffy becomes. To avoid a sticky situation, make sure any surface you set the taffy on is thinly coated with cooking spray. You can also wear latex gloves (coated with canola oil) to make the pulling a little easier.

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Coconut-Date Truffle Bites

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Coconut-Date Truffle Bites

Pop a couple of these chocolatey bites in your mouth for a sweet and satisfying afternoon pick-me-up.

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Caramel Drizzled-Spiced Nuts

Photo: Jamie Vespa; Prop Styling: Hannah Burkhalter
View Recipe: Caramel Drizzled-Spiced Nuts

End the holiday meal with a dessert everyone can enjoy, like this spicy-sweet nut mix. This treat has no refined sugar and is drizzled in a simple, 4-ingredient vegan caramel. Clean eating is possible—even at dessert!

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Chocolate-Caramel Bark with Quinoa

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chocolate-Caramel Bark with Quinoa

This season, there's no need to stress or spend hours in the kitchen. Serve this simple sweet treat at your next party or wrap it up beautifully for your friends. The first ingredient in this dark chocolate bark (psst, it’s quinoa) gives this treat loads of crunch. It’s a whole grain, which definitely makes this sweet even sweeter.

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Cocoa Hazelnut Truffles

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Cocoa Hazelnut Truffles

These guilt-free treats are nutrageously good. (And two decadent truffles come in at just 120 calories!) To cut more calories and grams of sugar, pick up a lower-sugar chocolate-hazelnut spread. Nutella, the most common spread, contains 21 grams of sugar in two tablespoons. A better alternative, Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, has just 7 grams. Switching butters won't make a texture difference, but the taste may be even better as the nutty hazelnut notes will really get to shine.

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