3 Paleo-Friendly Desserts To Curb Your Sweet Tooth

A paleo diet is an excellent option for weight loss and health, but it often lacks the sweetness that many people crave this time of year. To help curb the cravings, consider cooking up some paleo-friendly desserts.

1. Paleo Chocolate Pudding

Michele Rosen with the Paleo Running Momma created this paleo, vegan, and dairy-free pudding recipe that is to die for. The dessert is decadent and satisfying with a cocoa and coconut cream mix, and cook time is a breeze, coming in around 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup raw or unsweetened cacao powder, sifted
• 1 1/2 Cups organic canned coconut cream
• 2 Teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 6 Tablespoons pure maple syrup (add more for sweetness)
• Generous pinch of fine-grain sea salt

Instructions:

1. Over low heat, using a small saucepan, whisk the coconut cream, maple syrup, and cacao together until smooth.
2. The maple syrup and cocoa should combine well as the coconut cream melts. You want to continue cooking and stirring for about 2 minutes, creating a silky and creamy texture. If the mix starts to boil, remove it from the heat.
3. Once removed, stir in the salt and vanilla. Taste the mix. If you want a sweeter pudding, add more maple syrup.
4. Pour the mix into separate containers or bowls and let it set in the refrigerator overnight. The recipe will make approximately four servings.

2. Edible Cookie Dough

Who doesn't love cookie dough? Unfortunately, most recipes call for ingredients that are not consistent with a paleo diet. However, this recipe, also from Michele Rosen, is grain-free, dairy-free, vegan, and paleo-friendly, not to mention tasty.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Tablespoons coconut flour
• 3 Tablespoon maple sugar
• 1 Cup almond flour, blanched
• 3 Tablespoons organic, refined, melted coconut oil
• 1/8-1/4 Teaspoon fine grain sea salt
• 1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 Tablespoons unsweetened almond milk, or preferred dairy-free milk
• 1/2 Cup chopped dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips, optional

Instructions:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the coconut and almond flour. Excluding the chocolate chips, mix in all other ingredients until smooth.
2. Once the dough is smooth, mix in the chocolate chips or dark chocolate. Put the mix in the refrigerator for a minimum of 15 minutes for the best texture. Some people prefer to leave it chill for an hour.
3. Eat with silverware or roll the dough into manageable balls. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator covered for a maximum of four days.

3. Honey Almond Fudge Cups

Another winning dessert from the Paleo Running Momma, Michele Rosen, created these rich, almond, fudge delicacies. The treat is paleo, vegan, and dairy-free, meaning you can enjoy a little guilt-free indulgence.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 Cup raw, chopped almonds
• 1/4 Cup plus 1 tablespoon raw honey (for a vegan option, use pure maple syrup)
• 1 1/2 Cups smooth almond butter
• 1/2 Cup organic coconut oil (melt and cool to nearly room temperature
• 1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Generous pinch of fine-grain sea salt

Instructions:

1. Using cupcake liners, line a 12-cup muffin pan.
2. Mix the almond butter, vanilla extract, and honey (or maple) in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Then, whisk in the coconut oil until smooth. Finally, add the almonds and salt.
3. Spoon out a generous helping to each cupcake liner, keeping each even. Freeze until firm, 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Enjoy! Store leftovers in the freezer or the refrigerator.

There is no reason you can't enjoy the sweet things in life, even when on a paleo diet. Try one or all three of these favorite recipes and leave a comment with your opinion. Also, check out the Paleo Running Momma for more delicious recipes.