It’s always a pleasure to review one of Katie Kimball’s books. Just in time for the holidays, Smart Sweets: 30 Desserts to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth is here!

You can indulge that sweet tooth without caving to overly sweetened store-bought versions.

Dark Chocolate Truffles, Pumpkin Cookies, Apricot Sorbet…

The recipes in Smart Sweets are healthy-ISH, healthiy-ER, healthy-EST versions that use less sugar or replace white sugar with honey, maple syrup, or molasses. Made with whole grains or no grains at all, soaked and/or sprouted versions are included.

You will find real, healthy fats, nutrient-dense foods like yogurt, nuts, and milk, and ingredients you can pronounce.

Katie’s goal in Smart Sweets is to “offer you some sweets recipes that make your family feel spoiled without realizing they hardly strayed from a nourishing diet.”

Smart Sweets Intro

Katie provides the answer to the question, “why desserts? Aren’t sweets unhealthy?” She would rather you indulge in an occasional wiser dessert than fall off the wagon with Sara Lee

The first dozen or so pages in Smart Sweets explain:

• the difference between snacks and sweets
• why she uses white sugar
• what sweeteners are better (honey, maple syrup, stevia…)
• the differences between the natural sweeteners
• which sweeteners aren’t recommended (agave, brown sugar…)
• where to find alternative sweeteners
• three tips to trick your tongue
• supplies you might want to have around
• homemade ingredients, such as vanilla extract (and links to the recipes)
• ingredient notes

Recipe Icons

All recipes in Smart Sweets are marked with symbols showing one or more of the following:

• Refined Sugar Free
• Gluten Free
• Casein (Dairy) Free
• No Added Sweetener
• Grain Free
• Nut Free
• Soaked or Sprouted Option

You will also find at the top of each recipe an icons showing Time Needed, Real Food Rating, and Cost.

Time Needed: One clock indicates the recipes are simple using one bowl and taking less than thirty minutes. Two clocks mean multiple bowls or pots are needed, might have an overnight soak or additional steps. Three clocks indicate more complicated recipes with lots of steps or appliances and dishes to dirty.

Real Food Rating: One check shows the recipe is healthier than the store, but probably still has plenty of sweetener, may have refined grains, but it’s home made and doesn’t contain high fructose corn syrup. Two checks show the recipe is healthier than most home made due to less sugar, more wholesome sugar options, whole grains, and/or some nutritional boost. Three checks indicate serious nutrition! No white sugar, low or no sweetener overall, whole and/or soaked grains, and some real food ingredients like veggies or yogurt.

Cost: One dollar sign indicates an inexpensive recipe costing under $5. Two dollar signs indicate a mid-range recipe. Three dollar signs indicate a pricier dessert that you’ll probably want to save for a special occasion since they may need a special ingredient that is pricey.

Plus, Katie goes above and beyond, including variations, thorough FAQ’s for each recipe, timesavers, and even notes from her kitchen. You will feel confident trying out these recipes.

The Recipes

In Smart Sweets you will find recipes for…

1. Cookies - Pumpkin Cookies, Coconut Macaroons…
2. Bars and Brownies - Soaked Fudgy Brownies, Butternut Spice Bars…
3. Cakes and Cupcakes - Cider Doughnut Spiced Cupcakes, Almond Frosting…
4. Pies - Magic Coconut Pie…
5. Candy - Dark Chocolate Truffles, Peppermint Coconut Bark…
6. Frozen Desserts - Apricot Sorbet…
7. Cherry Almond Crepes, Chocolate Syrup, Easy Brown Rice Pudding…and more!

Pumpkin Cookies

I have permission to share the Pumpkin Cookies recipe from Smart Sweets with you. The ingredients are as written, but I am typing it out my own way.

1. Cream 2 cups butter or coconut oil together with 1 1/2 cups sugar or sucanat. Add 16 oz. can pumpkin or 2 cups pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, and 2 tsp. vanilla. Beat well.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together 4 cups whole wheat flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, 2 tsp. cinnamon, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp allspice, and 1 tsp. salt. Add to batter and mix well.
3. Stir in 2 cups chocolate chips or raisins, and 1 cup chopped nuts such as walnuts (optional).
4. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. They will spread slightly. Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.
5. Store at room temp. Best within the first few days as they are a very moist cookie. Makes 6-7 dozen cookies.

Included with this recipe are Katie’s variations - alternative fats, less sweetener, and alternative sweetener options; timesaver hint; FAQ’s such as using other orange vegetables (yes!), if the cookies freeze well (yes!), what other flours you could use; and notes from her kitchen including a frugal tip on what to do with any leftover pumpkin puree.

Free Download - Apple Crisp

Want to try before you buy? Check out Katie’s Apple Crisp recipe that you can make in the slow-cooker that is gluten free. Make it like streusel or crisped.

This freebie is also a great way to get a sense for the layout of Smart Sweets.

And some photos for you to drool over

Purchase as a Gift with 25% off code

You can buy Smart Sweets: 30 Desserts to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth for yourself or a friend. I prefer printing out my ebooks, sliding them into page protectors, and storing in a 3-ring binder. Keeps the pages forever clean - if I splatter batter on them, they wipe off and are as good as new. Also a wonderful way to present as a gift to a friend! You can buy Smart Sweets here.

Use code Nourishing25 to get 25% off your order - pay $7.46 instead of $9.99! If you win the giveaway, you will be reimbursed (sometime Katie throws in a copy of one of her other books, too!)

Win Smart Sweets: 30 Desserts to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

Enter to win a copy of Smart Sweets by using the Rafflecopter widget below…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Pumpkin Cookies - recipe from Smart Sweets!
Smart Sweets - 30 Desserts to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth - sneak peek & FREE recipe download!
Smart Sweets - and the winner is…

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Lea Harris founded Nourishing Treasures in 2006. A mom passionate about her family's health and well-being, Lea believes education is power. Encouraging others to take baby steps in the right direction of health for their families, Lea's goal is to raise awareness of what goes into our mouths and on our bodies, providing natural alternative information that promotes health and prevents disease by using traditional foods and nature's medicine. Lea is a Certified Health Coach graduate from Beyond Organic University, and a Certified Aromatherapist graduate from Aromahead Institute. "Like" Nourishing Treasures on Facebook, join the Nourishing Treasures Group on Facebook, follow @NourishTreasure on Twitter, and subscribe to our newsletter. You can also find me on Learning About Essential Oils forum, and Fido Fermentation Facebook group. Disclaimer: I use affiliate links wherever possible. So if you click on a link, and make a purchase, I might make a small commission, but it doesn't cost you any more.