Holidays Archives - Queen of My Kitchen

22
Jan
2018

Healthy Salted Caramel Chocolate Hearts

categories: Desserts, Gluten Free, Healthy, Holidays, Snacks

The Recipe Redux is a group of like-minded food bloggers whose mission is to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Each month members post recipes to their blogs following a theme set by the group moderators. This month’s theme is favorite kitchen tools, gadgets, and gizmos. Click the Recipe Redux link at the bottom of this page to see links to all the posts for this month’s challenge.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and it of course wouldn’t be complete without chocolate, but if you’ve been diligently sticking to your New Year’s healthy eating resolutions you might be reluctant to celebrate with the traditional confections served on this holiday. If that’s the case, then these Healthy Salted Caramel Chocolate Hearts are the answer! A thin coating of dark, bittersweet chocolate with a light sprinkling of flaked sea salt covers mock caramel, which is made from pureed dates, flaxseed, and peanuts. This filling is completely free of refined sugar so it lacks the characteristic biting sweetness of a typical caramel filling. Make no mistake though – these are still decadent little treats, high in fat and calories, but when compared to other chocolate covered caramel candies, they are definitely more nutritious. They’re lower in sugar and have a little bit of protein and fiber where most chocolate covered caramel candy has none. (more…)

17
Jan
2018

Skinny Winter White Cosmopolitans

categories: Beverages, Holidays

A delicious, not-too-sweet, seasonal cocktail that clocks in at 138 calories per serving.

Although the holidays are over, and many people are trying to cut back on their alcohol consumption in the month of January, it still seems fitting to post this recipe for Skinny Winter White Cosmopolitans today because we are in the middle of a snow storm here in New England. The flakes are falling fast and furious, and this cocktail fits right in with the winter white theme! (more…)

03
Jan
2018

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Bundt Cake

categories: Desserts, Gluten Free, Holidays

Taste the essence of gingerbread in this incredibly moist Bundt cake.

I’m pretty flexible when planning menus for entertaining, but I have one rule I almost always follow – serve a seasonal dessert. This makes planning the rest of the meal easier and avoids decision fatigue. I also like knowing that the seasonal ingredients available in the grocery store will likely be newer, fresher, and better quality because of high turnover. But the best reason of all to serve a seasonal dessert is that your guests will love it. These dishes are typically only around for short periods of time each year, which means that people will appreciate and savor them more. This Gluten-Free Gingerbread Bundt Cake is one of my favorite seasonal desserts and I serve it often during the winter months. I have my friend JoAnn to thank for passing along this recipe. Thanks JoAnn! (more…)

16
Nov
2017

Vegan Pecan Blondie Pie

categories: Desserts, Gluten Free, Holidays, Vegan

Candied pecans on top of a sweet, tender blondie base, make this delicious mock pecan pie.

‘Tis the season for pies, specifically, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and pecan pie. When it comes to Thanksgiving, tradition rules the day, so in my family this trio of pies will always be on dessert table. However, I decided to deviate slightly this year when I realized that my recently posted recipe for Vegan Flax Candied Nuts could be used to make a mock pecan pie. Vegan Pecan Blondie Pie looks just like a pie but it’s actually a cake, with lightly spiced candied pecans on top of a sweet, tender blondie base. This dessert is a fantastic alternative to traditional pecan pie, which typically contains an insane amount of sugar in the form of corn syrup and granulated white sugar. (more…)

03
Oct
2017

Cranberry Spice Scalloped Potatoes

categories: Holidays, Side Dishes

A festive twist on a classic recipe. A rich, creamy, and delicious side dish that’s perfect for holiday entertaining.

Scalloped potatoes are the epitome of comfort food and a mainstay at the holiday dinner table. Food trends may come and go but classic dishes like this one will never go out of style. As with any classic recipe, there are lots of variations for scalloped potatoes. This one uses a cranberry spice flavored Boursin Cheese to create a rich and creamy potato casserole with subtle savory flavor and a hint of sweet and tart. Cranberry Spice Scalloped Potatoes is a delicious, festive side dish and a real crowd pleaser. (more…)

06
Sep
2017

Low Sugar Gingerbread Cranberry Sauce with Printable Labels

categories: Gluten Free, Holidays, Sauces and Condiments, Vegan

I received free samples of SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by SPLENDA® Sweeteners and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

I know it’s a little early to starting thinking about the holidays, but several years ago I developed a habit that has served me well. I start a list right after Labor Day with gift ideas for everyone in my family, and jot down some possible menu options for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I usually don’t do any shopping until after Halloween, but making a list and some notes way ahead of time helps keep me organized so that when that panicky – oh no, the holidays are right around the corner – feeling strikes, I’m a little less stressed out. This year I got a head start thanks to the SPLENDA® Sweeteners Recipe Redux Sponsored Contest. I was initially stumped at what to make for this contest, but as luck would have it, one day I opened my spare freezer and there, staring me right in the face, were two bags of fresh/frozen cranberries with a “best by” date of December 2017. This was my cue to do a healthy remake of traditional cranberry sauce. This Low Sugar Gingerbread Cranberry Sauce is not only yummy, with substantially less sugar than store-bought cranberry sauce, but is hands-down the easiest cranberry sauce you’ll ever make. I plan to give it away as a gift to all those miscellaneous, but important people in my life that I like to thank or acknowledge during the holidays. (I’ve provided printable labels and links to some of the supplies at the end of this post if you’d like to do the same.) (more…)

09
Jan
2017

Valentine Prosciutto Egg Cups

categories: Breakfast, Gluten Free, Healthy, Holidays

Make a special Valentine’s Day breakfast for your loved ones!

Valentine’s Day comes at a cruel time of year for some. Anyone who has successfully stuck to their New Year’s resolution to lose weight or eat healthier is probably pretty proud of themselves by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around. Then, all of the sudden, chocolate is everywhere! It takes a lot of willpower to resist so many decadent holiday treats, but if you’re determined not to given in to temptation, you can still celebrate in the most delicious way with Valentine Prosciutto Egg Cups. They’re not chocolate, but they’re unique, adorable, and super easy to make. (more…)

01
Dec
2016

Peppermint Black Bean Brownie Wreath

categories: Desserts, Healthy, Holidays

Use a standard bundt pan to make this fun, festive, and slightly healthier holiday dessert with classic Yuletide flavor!

This Peppermint Black Bean Brownie Wreath is a fun holiday dessert and not at all complicated to make. With all the super indulgent treats that surround us this time of year, it’s nice to offer one that is a tad healthier but still delicious and festive. If you haven’t tried black bean brownies yet you might be skeptical – I was too. All I can say is that it’s truly amazing how pureed black beans can be transformed into something that tastes like a chocolate truffle. Let’s not kid ourselves though, this is still a decadent dessert, and I’ve decorated it with peppermint candy canes and Twizzlers Twists so it’s definitely not health food! Having said that, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any dessert this good that contain 6 grams of fiber per serving, which is nearly ¼ of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of fiber. (more…)

21
Nov
2016

Healthy Pecan Pie Cups

categories: Desserts, Gluten Free, Healthy, Holidays, Vegan

Healthy Pecan Pie Cups are amazing, no-bake, mini desserts that are a great alternative to traditional pecan pie.

Thanksgiving is a time to embrace family, friends, and of course food. There is simply no better meal on earth than a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, so if there was ever a time to indulge this is the day. Throw caution to the wind and delight in all the wonderful food this holiday has to offer. And that includes the pies, because let’s face it – Thanksgiving is all about the pies! Having said that, I think it’s entirely possible to fully indulge while still making some wise food/serving choices. (more…)

07
Nov
2016

Wild Blueberry Pecan Baked Brie with Holiday Spices

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Holidays

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Wild Blueberries and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Appetizers made with wild blueberries are not very common, but I promise you, this one is a gem! Wild Blueberry Pecan Baked Brie with Holiday Spices uses frozen wild blueberries that are mixed with sugar and gingerbread spices, then poured over a pecan studded wheel of brie and baked until soft and bubbly. Served with gluten-free crackers, it makes an easy, delicious, and festive holiday appetizer. (more…)

Category: Holidays