5 Low-Sugar Sweets That the Whole Family Can Enjoy for Easter

1. Carrot Cake

This is more than a sweet treat! Our Carrot Cake recipe has been enhanced with extra protein to make it a fueling snack to get you through a busy day or a powerful workout!

Ingredients:

Cake

• 1 ½ cups grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
• 1 cup plain or whole wheat flour
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup protein powder (vanilla or unflavoured) – You can replace this with oat flour, almond meal, or an extra ⅓ cup of almond flour if you don’t have protein powder.
• ½ cup mashed banana
• ½ cup honey, maple syrup, agave syrup or other sweetener (adjust to taste)
• ½ cup plain or vanilla Greek yoghurt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Icing

• ½ cup Greek yoghurt
• 115g cream cheese
• 2 tbsp honey or other sweetener
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C. Prep and line an 8-inch round cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3.  In another bowl, combine the grated carrots, banana, honey or maple syrup, Greek yogurt, and eggs. Mix until well combined.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the walnuts.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. In a medium bowl, beat together the Greek yogurt, cream cheese, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
8. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting on top, serve and enjoy!

2. Choc Chip Banana Muffins

Our Choc Chip Banana Muffins are packed with energising protein, making them a fantastic snack option that the kids will love!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup wholemeal self-raising flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 ½ cups mashed ripe banana (approx. 3 medium size)
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup Greek yoghurt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup dark choc chips

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C and line a muffin tray with muffin cups (these may need greasing with a oil spray).
2. Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt.
3. Lightly beat eggs then mix in oil, yoghurt, banana and vanilla.
4. Add wet mixture to dry mixture then mix with a fork until JUST combined. It’s important not to over mix so your muffins are light and fluffy.
5. Fold through choc chips
6. Fill muffin cups with mixture then bake for 20-25 mins or until a skewer comes out of the middle of a muffin clean.

3. Healthy Brownies

Packed with nutrient-dense ingredients like almond flour and eggs, these chocolatey brownies are a delicious way to boost your intake of healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants this Easter. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome snack or a feel-good treat to share, these brownies strike the perfect balance between delicious and nourishing.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour
• ⅓ cup protein powder (vanilla or unflavoured)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ cup coconut oil (melted)
• 2 eggs
• 2⁄3 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 170°C and line an 8-inch baking pan.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well.
3. Spread mixture into the pan and bake for 20 minutes.
4. Let it cool, then serve and enjoy!

4. No-Bake Chocolate Truffle Balls

These mini protein balls are super fast and easy to prepare, making them a perfect treat to whip up between meals.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
• ¼ cup protein powder (vanilla or unflavoured) – No protein powder? You can substitute with ground flaxseed, oat flour, almond meal, or even extra oats blended into a fine flour
• ¼ cup dark chocolate chips

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined.
2. Roll the mixture into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Enjoy as a protein-packed snack!

5. Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
• 2 or 3 mashed bananas
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup maple syrup, honey or other sweetener

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 170°C and line a large baking tray.
2. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a different bowl, mix the coconut oil, banana and vanilla until combined. Add the sweetener and oat mixture, stirring until just mixed.
3. Use a spoon to scoop rounds of cookie mixture onto the prepared pan and use the back of the spoon to gently flatten the mounds. Bake for about 9-12 minutes or until the cookies are golden-brown.