Recipe ideas for seniors that focus on healthy substitutes and meaningful ingredients is a topic that is gaining much needed popularity. As we age, choosing better food options becomes even more important for maintaining health and quality of life. Finding nutritious alternatives to favorite dessert recipes brings older adults the simple pleasure of a delicious treat, as well as the benefits of improved nutrition.

Take a look at our sugar free recipe ideas for seniors that incorporate natural sweeteners like maple syrup and stevia.

Quick Pecan Pie

This simple recipe uses maple syrup in place of white sugar. The pecans add vitamin E, a dose of healthy oils, as well as antioxidant properties.

Ingredients

• 1 unbaked pie shell
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 teaspoons molasses
• 1/3 melted butter
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 3 eggs
• 1 to 1 ½ cups pecan halves

Place unbaked pie crust on cookie sheet. Beat all of the ingredients except the pecans thoroughly. Stir in pecans then add mixture to pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes (toothpick should come out clean).

Recipe source: Elder One Stop

Delicious Chocolate Brownies

These brownies provide a hidden source of fiber and protein thanks to the addition of black beans. Sweetened with stevia, they also include olive or coconut oil as a healthy alternative to melted butter, margarine, or canola oil.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups sugar-free chocolate chips or carob chips
• 1 15.5 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup carob powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup olive oil or melted coconut oil
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• 1 tablespoon powdered stevia

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line an 8 x 8” baking dish with parchment paper. Spray parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray. Process all ingredients in a food processor until smooth, then pour into baking dish. Smooth out batter to edges with a spoon. Bake 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out perfectly clean. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe source: Sugar Free Mom

Antioxidant Apple Muffins

The maple syrup in this recipe adds a richness to the flavor and offsets the tartness of the apples. These muffins also offer a bonus serving of healthy whole grains by using whole wheat pastry flour in the batter. Add nuts or oat bran for extra fiber!

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup of chopped Granny Smith apples
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 ¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Optional:

• ½ cups walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup of oat bran

Combine the first four ingredients, then mix the apples with lemon juice in a separate bowl. Now mix the remaining ingredients in a third bowl. Stir everything together, mixing well, then spoon into prepared muffin cups. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F degrees for about 25 minutes.

Recipe source: Elder One Stop

Grove Menus specializes in preparing nutritious food with our meal planning solutions and recipes for seniors. To learn more about us, call (208) 528-0690 to discuss your senior menu planning needs.