Easter, alongside being the most significant event in the Christian calendar, also officially means spring has arrived! Spring is a great time to spring clean your mental and physical health, and the  extra-long weekend can be a good time to pause, reset and do the things that make you happiest. Whether you are planning a speedy getaway, long walks in the countryside, lunch with family or to just take some time out for mindfulness – it’s also almost certain you plan to eat your body weight in chocolate over the four-day weekend too! Don’t worry if you are trying to maintain your healthy lifestyle goals, you can still indulge and enjoy a sweet treat this Easter with our healthier alternatives to some treats that are certain to satisfy even the sweetest tooth without piling on the pounds! 

Cherry Bakewell Truffles

SERVING: Makes 12 truffles

INGREDIENTS

• 200g Medjool dates

• 200g almonds

• 100g dried sour Morello cherries

• 50g Forever Lite Ultra Chocolate

• 50g raisins

• ¾ tsp French almond extract

• 50g chocolate (90% cacao)

• Coconut dusting (optional)

METHOD

Add all of the ingredients, apart from the chocolate and ten cherries, into a food processor and blitz for a few minutes until they come together to form a large ball. Divide the mixture into equal size pieces and roll into smaller balls. Chop the ten extra cherries in half. Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie and, using two spoons, carefully coat each ball with a thin layer of chocolate before placing on a tray lined with baking paper – the truffles will not stick to this once set. Place half a cherry on each truffle and then place the truffles in the fridge to set for an hour. 

Cookie Dough Balls

SERVING: 12 bites

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats

• 1 cup natural peanut butter

• ¼ cup of Forever Bee Honey

• 2 scoops Forever Lite Ultra Chocolate

• 2 tbsp chocolate chips

METHOD

All you need to do is place the oats, peanut butter, Forever Bee Honey, Forever Lite Ultra and chocolate chips into a large bowl and stir to combine. Once you’ve combined the mixture, use a spoon to scoop out similar sizes of the mixture. Use your hands to roll them into a nice ball shape and lay them into a container. They’re fine to eat like this, or if you want them a little firmer you can pop them in the fridge before you eat them. 

Peanut Butter Bites

SERVING: 30 bites

INGREDIENTS

• 320ml skimmed milk

• 340g peanut butter

• 4 tsp Forever Bee Honey

• 180g Forever Lite Ultra Chocolate

• 180g dry rolled oats 

METHOD

Combine the peanut butter, Forever Bee Honey and milk in a bowl. Warm the bowl over a low heat. Add the Forever Lite Ultra and mix well. Add in the oats but make sure you do not cook it, just warm it through so you can stir it. Add more milk if it is too thick to stir. Press the mixture into a 9”x13” pan. Let the tin sit until cool and cut into equal sized bites. Wrap each bite in foil and store in a plastic tub. They do not need refrigeration and are the perfect post-workout treat! 

Chocolate Banana Brownies

SERVING: 10 squares

INGREDIENTS

• 3 medium, overripe bananas

• 80ml of almond butter

• 60g of cocoa powder

• 1-2 scoops Forever Lite Ultra Chocolate

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/Gas 4. Grease a small cake pan or loaf pan and set aside. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt your almond butter. In a blender or using your hands, combine all ingredients until smooth. Pour the mixture into the greased pan and bake for around 20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before slicing into pieces. 

Are you planning on giving any of these healthier alternatives to Easter favourites a try over the Easter holidays