A festival of family gatherings, gift-giving, decorations, and spreading love, Christmas primarily a Christian commemoration of Jesus Christ’s birth, has now become a universal festivity that unites people worldwide. With twinkling lights, beautifully decorated trees, and the irresistible aroma of festive treats, December is one of the most awaited times. Children eagerly await Santa Claus, the symbol of kindness and holiday magic, adding fun to this special time. The season is also about eating delectable freshly baked cakes, desserts, and puddings. While there is no reason not to get soaked in the festivity vibe, yet, this season, why not indulge in your favourite holiday treats guilt-free by incorporating healthier options that satisfy cravings and celebrating the season with love, flavour, and wellness?
Why Switch To Calorie Alternatives?
In today’s sedentary lifestyle, moderation is key when enjoying delectable desserts. Overindulgence can contribute to weight gain and various health problems. Some popular low-calorie options include fruit-based desserts, chia seed puddings, and energy balls made with dates or nuts that promote better digestion and provide a sense of fullness.
Switching to such alternatives offers numerous health benefits. Here are the important ones:
- Less sugary treats are often lower in unhealthy fats, which supports heart health and reduces the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity.
- Many low-calorie and low-sugar alternatives are nutrient-dense, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre for improved digestion and energy.
- Low-calorie sweets are an excellent alternative for satisfying your sweet tooth without compromising health goals.
- Made with natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or small amounts of honey, low-calorie treats are often rich in nutrients and low in refined sugar, making them suitable for Weight Watchers and balancing stable blood sugar levels.
- By replacing high-sugar desserts with these alternatives, the inclusion of protein and healthy fats in many low-calorie sweets ensures sustained energy levels without sudden sugar crashes.
Also Read: Pastry Cake: Eggless & Moist Delicious Desserts That Will Earn You Laurels In A Trice
This holiday time, alongside your Christmas cookies and Christmas dinners, make your celebrations sweeter with delectable but with smarter options. You can satisfy cravings, enjoy balanced nutrition, and promote long-term well-being while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here is a classic plum cake and a sumptuous pudding recipe that is perfect for your upcoming holiday celebration and long-term health goals too!.jpg)
Classic Plum And Rum Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped plums, fresh or dried (if using dried plums, soak well in water)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup low-fat butter
- Stevia or monk fruit sweetener as per taste
- 2 Eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup milk
- A cup of chopped walnuts, almonds, raisins and cashews
- 3 tbsp rum
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Chop the plum into small pieces. If using dried, soak them in warm water for about an hour, then chop
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg to a bowl and whisk well
- In another bowl add butter, vanilla extract, and sweetener and mix well
- Beat the eggs
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and the chopped plums, raisins, nuts, and rum
- Pour the batter into the tin ensuring it is evenly spread
- Bake for an hour or when you see the toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean
- Let the cake cool in the tin for about ten minutes, remove from the tin and serve
Plum Cake Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 4-5 slices of homemade plum cake
- 2 cups of milk
- 1 cup of condensed milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup stevia or monk fruit sweetener
- Low-fat butter for greasing
- 1/2 cup plum slices to garnish the pudding
- A pinch of cinnamon powder
Method
- Grease the baking dish with low-fat butter
- Crumble the plum cake slices and spread them evenly at the base of the dish
- In a bowl, whisk condensed milk, eggs, vanilla extract, sweetener and cinnamon powder
- Strain the mixture through a sieve
- Pour the custard mixture over the crumbled plum cake in the baking dish
- Press down lightly with the back of a spoon. The cake should soak the custard
- Arrange plum slices on top of the pudding
To Bake The Pudding:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Place the baking dish in a larger tray filled with about an inch of hot water
- Bake until the custard appears to be set
- Remove and allow it to cool
- Chill in the refrigerator for better results and serve
Nutrition
These recipes are great for serving at teatime. Low in calories and a delightful mix of sweet and tart from the plums, both recipes are loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium, thus supporting immune health, bone strength, and heart function. Their high fibre content aids digestion, while antioxidants like anthocyanins protect cells from damage.
Netmeds Wishes Everyone A Joyful and Merry Christmas!
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile: Preeti Sharma
Preeti Sharma has a master’s in electronic media and mass communication and certification in short-term writing from Florida. With close to a decade of experience, she specializes in crafting engaging blogs on beauty, veterinary care, and healthy cooking. Preeti is proficient in video editing tools and produces captivating and informative content across multiple platforms.
References:
Artificial sweeteners as a sugar substitute: Are they really safe?
Arun Sharma, S Amarnath 1, M Thulasimani , S Ramaswamy
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4899993/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3982014/
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