No chocolate for Lent: here's 10 simple sweet treat alternatives
You'll definitely want to try these delicious sweet treats
So, you’ve given up chocolate for Lent, and now it feels like you’ve got nothing to look forward to in the evening after dinner? I’ve got you covered. After my mum stopped eating chocolate a few weeks ago for Lent, I’ve been sharing my favourite alternative sweet treats for her to try.
They’re super easy to make, won’t cost you a fortune, and they taste delicious. And they’re good for you too. What more could you ask for?
1. Homemade granola
Until recently, I didn’t know just how easy it is to make your own granola. You literally just whack it all in a bowl, give it a mix, and shove it in the oven to bake. And let me tell you – granola never tasted so good.
Some of my favourite ingredients for high-protein, high-fibre granola are oats, chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, chia seeds, coconut flakes, vanilla protein powder, chopped dried apricots and chopped dates.
2. Yoghurt bowl
Right now, yoghurt bowls are all the rage on the wellness side of social media. Put simply, use yoghurt as your base, and add your favourite toppings. I like to use Fage Greek yoghurt (good source of protein) or kefir (great for the gut).
Some tasty toppings include: 1) homemade granola and banana, 2) peanut butter (or any nut butter) and blueberries, 3) chopped pistachios and strawberries, and 4) Elle Gibson’s sticky toffee sauce, banana, and dates.
3. Mini protein pancakes
A sweet treat that’s high in protein AND tastes good? Yes please. Protein pancakes are so delicious and make the perfect dessert option after dinner. There’s tons of protein pancake recipes out there - my personal favourite is a lemon recipe on TikTok.
Don’t hold back on the toppings. I recommend banana and strawberries with some golden syrup, or just the traditional lemon and sugar.
4. Peanut butter and banana
This one is super quick and simple and makes for a great snack. All you need to do is chop a banana into slices, and sandwich two pieces with some peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice). Pop them in the freezer for a couple of hours and enjoy.
5. Stuffed dates
I absolutely love dates – specifically Medjool dates, which are a caramel-lover’s dream. Have some fun trying out different flavour combinations by making yourself some stuffed dates.
Some popular ideas are: peanut butter and flaky sea salt, chopped pistachios and pistachio spread, butter and flaky sea salt (think salted caramel vibes), and chopped hazelnuts and hazelnut spread.
6. Homemade pastries
Recently, I’ve really gotten into making pastries at home. It’s surprisingly simple, especially if you use a pre-made pastry sheet from the supermarket. You’ll certainly be able to get your sweet treat fix without any chocolate.
Over the weekend I had fun making raspberry Danish pastries as well as almond croissants, and they were so tasty. Social media is a great place to find some easy recipes.
7. Smoothie bowl
This one is great for the ice cream or smoothie lovers out there. Smoothie bowls are so refreshing and delicious. Choose your fruit, blend it up - the key here is to blend frozen fruit and ice cubes for that thick, frosty texture.
Then top with your preferred fruit. You can find tons of flavour combination ideas online, but my personal favourite is strawberry and banana with chopped bananas, granola, and a drizzle of honey.
8. Homemade flapjacks
Most flapjack recipes only require a few ingredients, and you’ll probably already have them in your kitchen cupboards. All you need is some butter, light brown sugar, golden syrup, and oats.
Whack it all in a pan and heat, and then bake in the oven. That’s all you have to do to make yourself an indulgent treat. Feel free to add in your favourite dried fruit or any nuts and seeds.
9. Banana bread
We all know the feeling of watching our bananas turn brown beyond consumption in the fruit bowl. The good news is that now they won’t go to waste. Every time I make banana bread, I’m reminded of just how good it is – and how easy to make.
10. Frozen yoghurt bites
This one is a tasty and nutritional sweet treat that takes literal minutes to prepare. All you need is your favourite fruit - be it strawberries, blueberries, bananas, raspberries or even orange slices – and mix in a bowl with greek yoghurt and honey. Set them in the freezer and enjoy a creamy, light treat.
