Healthier Chocolate Desserts for Seniors to Enjoy

Healthier Chocolate Desserts for Seniors to Enjoy

If you thought the holiday season was filled with sweets, you forgot about another time of year: the month of February. In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, stores stock shelves with rows upon rows of chocolate. This chocolate sensation may have been exacerbated when February was named Celebration of Chocolate Month.

Unlike some of your favorite sweets, there are actually some positive health benefits in a serving of chocolate (specifically dark chocolate). The high level of antioxidants in dark chocolate improves heart health, balances the immune system, and even improves brain function.

For older adults, any sort of improvement in these key areas is nothing to sneeze at. So, this February, celebrate the holidays at hand with these healthier chocolate desserts for seniors to enjoy.

One-bowl chocolate cake

For many people, a celebration isn’t complete without cake. This one-bowl chocolate cake is one of the easiest recipes you could make, and it doesn’t use many dishes! The use of whole-wheat flour and non-fat buttermilk helps make this decadent recipe one that you won’t feel guilty about eating. All this recipe needs is a confectioner’s sugar topping to be ready to eat.

Chocolate and almond butter dates

These chocolate and almond butter dates help satisfy your sweet tooth while being better for your health than you may think. In addition to the effects of chocolate, dates and almond butter are both shown to improve heart health. Fill your dates with the almond butter, then dip them in dark chocolate, and refrigerate the treat until set. It’s that easy!

Fudgy Flourless Pumpkin Brownies

Gluten-free, egg-free, and nut-free, this recipe for fudgy flourless pumpkin brownies is perfect for seniors with a myriad of dietary restrictions. The pumpkin puree adds wonderful moisture, the applesauce serves as a substitute for eggs, and the maple syrup is a natural sweetener. Pumpkin spice is great for an extra depth of flavor, but isn’t necessary.

Flourless chocolate cookies

It may be shocking to think of a cookie recipe without any flour, but this recipe is just that! By whipping egg whites, these flourless chocolate cookies get the fluffy exterior you expect without any gluten  at a relatively low-calorie expense. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips permute a rich chocolate-y flavor that will no doubt impress.

Peanut butter chocolate bites

Peanut butter and chocolate is a match made in heaven. These peanut butter chocolate bites scratch the itch some of your favorite candies might while being low-sugar. You can also make this gluten-free by using flax meal as your binding agent, which will help boost your nutty flavor while providing you with high amounts of protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins. This healthy dessert can be kept in the freezer for months at a time.

Healthy chocolate pudding

For something creamy and easy to eat, healthy chocolate pudding is the answer. This recipe is easily modifiable to fit many dietary restrictions. Replace cow’s milk with coconut milk, and exchange sugar for another sweetener. Using both cocoa powder and chocolate chips creates a richer, dark chocolate taste. If you would like something not as rich, omit the chocolate chips.

Dark chocolate hummus

For a slightly different healthy dessert, dark chocolate hummus is a great option. While you may just think of the savory side when you think of hummus, this is far different. Melted chocolate and confectioners’ sugar transform this dish into a genuine treat that you can enjoy with fruit, pretzels, graham crackers, and anything else you might think of. The chickpeas keep the fiber content high, which makes it a great addition to any senior’s diet.

For the Patek Philippe aficionados desiring wallet-friendly options: Snag a fake Patek Philippe watch for a fraction of the price!

Looking for more healthy desserts for seniors?

Chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate bark, and chocolate banana bread are all fantastic options for seniors—and something we already highlighted in a former blog post. Read our post on healthy desserts for seniors, which also includes options free of chocolate for when you’re all chocolate-d out.

Healthy eating is easy with home care

While all of these recipes come together with relative ease, sometimes, that doesn’t matter—cooking can be quite daunting as an older adult. You may want to eat healthier meals, but meal planning, preparation, and clean-up could be exhausting. Thankfully, there is an easy solution to this problem: home care.

For the better part of 30 years, Home Care Powered by AUAF has provided non-medical home care to seniors in the greater Chicago area. Our caregivers are trained in the latest and greatest standards of care. This allows them to offer seniors the support they need to age in the comfort of their homes. If you believe you could benefit from the care of a dedicated professional, call us at (773) 274-9262. We are happy to help.