Healthy Alternatives to Traditional Valentine's Day Chocolate Candy

Thought about using Carob instead of chocolate for a healthy Valentine's Day alternative to traditional candy this year? Here is a healthy recipe that your special Valentine will enjoy!

Carob Truffles
For this recipe you will need:
4-c carob
1/8-tsp artificial sweetener
1-tsp powdered instant coffee
1-c finely chopped peanuts

Melt carob in a double boiler then add 1/8-tsp artificial sweetener and stir until mixed well. Pour the mixture into molds and allow to cool. This makes wonderful, healthy heart-shaped Valentine's Day truffles!

That Amazing Carob
Carob does not contain caffeine or theobromine, a mood elevating stimulant. You pet lovers will be happy to know that carob can be safely ingested by animals. Theobromine is the reason large quantities of chocolate are dangerous to dogs and cats, and carob has no theobromine at all.

So if you find yourself wishing that your beloved pet could also enjoy the bountiful array of sweets on Valentine's Day, remember that carob is completely safe for Fido, and whip him up the Carob Truffles!

Besides the fact that carob contains no caffeine or theobromine, the nutritional information of carob in comparison to cocoa is as follows:

1-tbsp unsweetened carob powder = 25 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 6gs carbohydrate.
1-tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder =12 calories, 1g fat, 0 cholesterol, 3gs carbohydrate.

Let's say, then, a candy bar made with carob has about the same amount of fat and calories as a chocolate candy bar does. We already know that unlike cocoa powder and chocolate, carob is caffeine-free and theobromine-free. Besides the taste difference (which is very different but not in a negative manner), carob powder also contains three times as much calcium as cocoa powder does. So naturally, the healthier choice would be carob, while the tastier choice would be chocolate.

Although unsweetened carob powder may be naturally sweeter than cocoa powder, carob is not as flavorful as chocolate. But to substitute carob powder for cocoa powder in your healthy Valentine's Day alternatives to traditional candy, replace one part cocoa with 2½-cup parts carob powder by weight. Carob chips can be substituted for chocolate chips in your holiday recipes, too.

Here in the South, we love pies and cobblers and use any old excuse to bake them. Valentine's Day is no exception, but if someone comments on the choice of a cobbler for Valentine's Day, throw some heart cut-outs and pink streamers on top to make them happy. They'll be glad you baked it.

And while the diabetics in my family would not normally try the following recipe, it is a healthy and very delicious alternative to traditional Valentine's Day chocolate and candy.

Jeanne's Berry Cobbler
For this recipe, you will need:
½-c sugar
3-tbp cornstarch
¼-tsp ground cinnamon
1-c water
1-c fresh or thawed cranberries
1-c fresh blueberries
1-c fresh blackberries

And for the topping, you will need:
1/3-c fat-free milk
2/3-c all-purpose flour
¾-tsp baking powder
¼-tsp salt
¼-c sugar
2-tbp butter, softened
¼-tsp vanilla extract

In a heavy-duty, small saucepan, mix together the cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and water; mix until smooth; bring this to a boil; continue to cook and stir for about a minute and a half, or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in berries; grease a Pyrex (glass) baking dish, about 8 inches square, or 8x10"; pour mixture into baking dish and set aside.

In a small bowl, beat sugar and butter until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Beat in fat-free milk and the vanilla extract; mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and then stir into butter mixture until slightly blended; with a teaspoon, drop over set aside fruit mixture in baking dish; bake at 375° for about 30 minutes until filling is bubbly and topping is baked (insert toothpick to gauge if topping is done - toothpick should pull back clean). This recipe is best served warm with low-fat vanilla ice cream and a dallop of low-fat whipped topping. Yum!

Nutrition Information: 1 serving = 235 calories, 2g saturated fat (4g fat), 10mg cholesterol, 195mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, and 2g protein.

After choosing your favorite cookie or cake this Valentine's Day, whether you go with the heart-shaped, one-layer yellow cake or your time-tested, delectable cupcakes from scratch, you will need a healthy frosting recipe that won't wrinkle your special Valentine's nose.

Having had diabetics in my family, this frosting recipe is also great to have on hand for any occasion and is quick and easy to make. The frosting is more of a mousse type consistency and is very good. Diabetics can exchange this for: ½-starch, ½-fat.

Jeanne's Low-fat Frosting
For this recipe you will need:
1-c cold fat-free milk
1 package of sugar-free instant chocolate fudge pudding mix (1.4oz)
1 carton frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed (8oz)

In a medium bowl, beat together pudding mix and fat-free milk for about 2 minutes on the low speed. Fold in whipped topping. Makes about 3 ½ cups; this also makes a good dip for fresh fruit.

You may use whatever flavor sugar-free instant pudding mix you desire, creating endless possibilities when topping off your healthy Valentine's Day alternative desserts!

Nutritional Information: 1/4 cup = 56 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 1g protein.

Delivery of your dish, while nowhere near as important as the taste of the recipe, should be considered when serving your choice of healthy alternatives to traditional Valentine's Day chocolates and candy. To top off your overall Valentine's Day celebration appeal, here are a few great tips to note when frosting desserts.

Jeanne's great tips for frosting Valentine's Day (or any holiday) desserts:
For frosting that is too stiff and hard to spread, add 1-tsp skim milk and mix; add an additional teaspoon of skim milk until the desired consistency is reached; frost your dessert and send Jeanne one UPS.

Dip cupcake tops into your choice of frosting and turn slightly to top off your Valentine's Day cupcakes with that bakery-style swirl effect.

Want creamy, cook-style, homemade frosting but do not have the time? Mix any flavor of ready-made, store-bought frosting with a container of whipped topping (8oz).

This is also delicious: mix about an 8oz package of cream cheese with a container of ready-made, store-bought frosting..

Looking for a certain color frosting for your Valentine's Day dessert? Tint white frosting with food coloring, and note that the color will darken a tad as the frosting sits or hardens.

Another style dessert that I seem to use any old excuse to make is any recipe involving cheesecake. The following recipe is for miniature cheesecakes, is a healthy alternative to the traditional Valentine's Day chocolate or candy, and is quick and easy to prepare. The scrumptious miniatures can be wrapped in pink or red cellophane tied with pink or red ribbon, and given to your favorite Valentine for a unique, out-of-the-norm surprise. Diabetics can exchange these for 2 starches and 2 fats.

Jeanne's Little Cheesies
12 to 15 low-fat vanilla wafer cookies
½-c sugar
2 packages light cream cheese (8oz packages)
Sugar substitute equivalent to ½-c sugar
1-tsp vanilla extract
1 lightly beaten, large egg
¼-c egg substitute
1 can strawberry pie filling (12oz can)

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth; add sugar substitute and sugar; still beating, add vanilla extract, egg and egg substitute; keep beating until blended.

Place vanilla wafers flat side down, one for each foil-lined muffin cup, then fill cups with cream cheese mixture; bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until set; set pan of cheesies on a wire rack for about an hour; the middles will sink in just a tad. Spoon pastry filling into the center of each cheesecake when cooled and refrigerate; this recipe makes about a dozen cheesies.

Nutritional Information: 1 miniature cheesie =217 calories, 9g fat, 44mg cholesterol, 209mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, and 5g protein.

And whatever your choice for a healthy alternative to the traditional Valentine's Day chocolate and candies may be, enjoy the time spent with your Valentine, and create wonderful memories full of smiles and laughter for the kiddies.