Invest in your home

Love it or hate, sugar can factor heavily in our diets through processed foods, sauces, fruits and even some veggies! Trying to cut down can be hard, especially if you have a sweet tooth. That midday craving for candy can play havoc on your health and leave you feeling slow and sluggish once the sugar high is over.

Today we’re sharing 3 recipes for sweet treats without the added sugar. These tasty snacks feature foods like dried fruits and honey that will satiate your craving without giving you a post-sugar low. Make a batch at the beginning of the week, store in the fridge and reach for one next time you crave that sweet taste.

Don’t want to bake? No problem. Try these no bake Almond Butter Oaties:

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of crunchy almond butter
• ½ cup of honey
• 3 cups of rolled oats
• Canola Oil spray

Instructions:

1. Line a 9”x9” tray with foil and spray lightly with canola oil.
2. Melt the almond butter and honey in a pan until smooth then add the oats.
3. Press the mixture into the tray and refrigerate until cooled.
4. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Craving that chocolate taste? This Refined Sugar-free Fudge recipe might be the one for you:

You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup of your favorite nut butter 
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey 
• 1 cup of cacao nibs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 and 1/2 cups oat flour

Instructions:

1. Line a 9"x9" tray with non stick paper and set aside.
2. Place the coconut oil and cacao nibs in a pan then add the nut butter and mix until smooth.
3. Take off the heat and add the vanilla extract, cinnamon and oat flour and mix.
4. Press the mixture into the tray and refrigerate until cooled.
5. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

If you’re looking for a fruity fix, try these Fruity Granola Bites when the craving comes. Dried fruits can be high in natural sugars so limit yourself to one of these tasty treats per day!

You’ll need:

• 3 cups of rolled oats
• 1 cup of your favorite nut butter 
• ⅓ cup of honey
• ¼ cup of dried cranberries
• ¼ cup of dried prunes or apricots
• ¼ cup of dried cherries

Tip: If the prunes are too dried to blend up, soak them in water for a few minutes.

Instructions:

1. Blend the cranberries, prunes, and cherries.
2. Mix the nut butter, oats and honey in a large bowl.
3. Add the dried fruits.
4. Roll the mixture into 2” balls and put them on a lined tray.
5. Refrigerate until cooled. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

If you are allergic to nuts try substituting the nut butter for sunflower butter or tahini in any of these recipes. For more ways to invest in your lifestyle you can find more articles and videos at firsttechfed.com/lifestyle.