Delicious Holiday Desserts

Starting today – I’m ready for the holidays! Now that Christmas cards are sent and my shopping is (almost) done, and yes, the Christmas tree is up and decorated. With the stress gone, thoughts of sugar plums and cakes fill my brain.

Here are two of my favorite holiday desserts. Hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do. Ho ho ho… and happy holidays to you all.

Spice Me Up Plums

Ingredients:

Canola oil
3 tablespoons minced shallots
1 1/2 pounds red plums (4-6), unpeeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
2 tablespoons Splenda (optional)
1/4 teaspoons ground allspice
1/8 teaspoons ground ginger

Instructions:

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add plums. Cook 5 minutes or until plums just begin to soften. Sprinkle with Splenda, allspice and ginger. Reduce heat to medium low and cook 7 to 10 minutes or until tender.

Spiced Chocolate Loaf

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup unbleached flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
2/3 cup honey
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons orange juice
2 eggs lightly beaten

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease loaf pan. Sift flour baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and curry powder together in a large mixing bowl. Over low heat mix together honey, cocoa and orange juice in a medium saucepan. Cook until all ingredients are heated through about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Once cool add eggs being sure to mix well. Gradually add dry ingredients into chocolate mixture constantly stirring mixture to moistened dry ingredients. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Nutritional Information:

110 calories, 0.8 g fat, 2.6 g protein, 25.1 g carbohydrates, 0.5 g fiber, 13 mg cholesterol, 117 mg sodium