Christmas is my favorite time of the winter! :)

I actually find the long and cold winter really intolerable, but as long as it comes to Christmas – let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Now, as we left Thanksgiving behind us it got me thinking:

Why are there so few holiday treats for fit girls?!

The holiday season is known for its eat-fest of cookies, pies, fudges, sweets and different kinds of heavy desserts, with loads of sugars and fatty creams…

Unfortunately there are too few delicious and healthy Christmas recipes…

Yes, they taste may amazing, but the sad truth is that none of them are really healthy, clean or natural.

Then I thought to myself, “what if I make a recipe that will save Christmas?“.

A recipe that looks like, feels like and tastes like Christmas, but healthy and clean, prepared without grain flour or sugar.

Well that’s a big challenge, but I’m up for it. Because fit girls deserve to get their creamy and tasty sweet treats too.

Since my father is diabetic, my mother traditionally makes a healthier dessert for the holidays.

So I decided to step up this year and take the mixer in my own hands!

I came up with the healthiest and yummiest Christmas dessert recipe of all time – my Protein Christmas Pancakes!

LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN! :)

Healthy Christmas Recipes - Sugar free pancakes

Healthy Christmas Recipes – Delicious Protein Pancakes

I’ve made healthy pancakes many times, but the ones you’re about to witness are the absolute best of the best when it comes to holiday treats for your sweet tooth.

The funny thing is that they don’t taste like the classic pancakes, but more like a juicy and creamy dessert on a Christmas morning.

They scream CHRISTMAS!

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that the ingredients are sugar free, because this 7-story mini pancake building tastes much better than your regular sweet delight.

And not to mention the nutrition facts that this piece of heaven offers.

Check out its nutritional targets:

nutritional targets for Healthy Christmas Recipes

As you can see in this chart, these delicious protein pancakes are high in both fiber and protein, not to mention the Iron, that comes in high volume too.

Don’t get frightened by the amount of fat, because they’re mostly healthy fats that come from omega 3 fatty acids and are good for our body.

For those who count the calories, these healthy Christmas recipes contain 509 calories, while 7 ordinary american pancakes together with the toppings will get you around 1000 calories.

Note that as well as you eat half the amount of calories, these ones are not only healthier, but it also takes more time for the body to burn them.

I also want to give you a heads-up about this one – you may not be able to eat it all by yourself because it’s quite big and sweet.

We shared the pancakes with my Matt, so it left us with 254 calories each.

 

Since the pancakes only contain natural and raw ingredients, they have (like I said) only healthy calories – ones that won’t harm your shape.

I’ve chosen coconut flour for my pancakes, because of its countless benefits and nutrients.

To be honest, at first I thought about almond flour, because it has pretty great nutritional value too.

Here’s the breakdown of the nutrient content from almond flour and coconut flour per 4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup, which is the amount we’re gonna use in this recipe:

coconut vs almond flour

See, it’s a bit harder to make up your mind when you see a nutrition value table like this – everything looks perfect, right?

The almond flour has a substantially bigger amount of fats, compared to the coconut flour that has only 4 grams of it.

But when it comes to carbs, almond is the winner with just 6 grams which is really awesome.

So in the end, what made me go for the coconut flour was the fact that it’s easier to work with, especially when you have wet ingredients, and here’s why:

Coconut flour soaks up much more moisture than almond flour – recipes with wet ingredients are preferably done with that.

Still, if you like almond flour you can mix them both, just remember that you can’t just substitute almond flour for coconut, because the recipe won’t work out right!

Note: Brown rice flour or oat flour can work too, I just didn’t want to use grain flour because of the poorer nutrient values.

The protein chart is actually my favorite!

I see a lot of deliciously looking healthy Christmas recipes these days, but none of them can beat down this pack of protein!

They contain 41,9 grams of protein:

 

And the main reason why this recipe is so rich in protein, is the whipped cream.

The pancakes themselves contain ~20 grams of protein, but what makes them a real protein bomb is actually the filling.

I wanted to make a whipped cream that is sugar free, but still tastes creamy and delicious.

After seeing tons of videos and guides about how to make a healthy whipped cream without using whip cream or sugar, I came up with an idea:

Invent one!

I bought a few ingredients, and started experimenting.

I knew that my main ingredient was coconut milk.

So, after a few unhappy tries, I finally did it!

I used protein powder to make the puff, and it turned out AMAZING!

Tip: For all of you that want to keep it Paleo, use stevia or honey (natural, raw and unprocessed) – it works great too.
If you go for the stevia you’ll lower the amount of protein for about 20 grams:

This non dairy whipped cream is a no guilt pleasure, containing no more than 190 calories.

For the topping, I used one of my favorite good old chocolate dressings, sugar-free and chocolate free, but it tastes the same or even better than the chocolate sauce you can find in the market.

And the best thing of all is that in the end, I prepared a smoothie out of the ingredient leftovers – all raw and clean, you’re gonna love it!

Now, good lookin’, let’s get cookin’! :)

Protein Pancakes Recipe Directions

Pancakes Ingredients:

  • 1 large banana
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 whole egg
  • 4 tablespoons coconut flour (¼ cup)
  • 4 tablespoons blended raspberries (¼ cup)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Filling Ingredients:

  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 3 tablespoons protein powder

Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon honey (organic, raw, unprocessed)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa
  • ½ tablespoon water

Delicious Protein Pancakes with Sugar-Free Ingredients Healthy Christmas Recipes

Step 1: Preparing The Pancakes

1. We’re going to start with the raspberries…

If you use frozen ones, microwave them for 30 seconds so that they won’t make a mess with adding ice to the mixture.

Then, blend them nicely until they turn into puree.

Don’t worry about the seeds – they’re just fine :)

2. Next, it’s time for the rest of the ingredients…

Add the rest of the ingredients into a blender: the banana, egg, egg whites, coconut flour and the olive oil.

Blend for 1 minute, or until you make sure the ingredients have transformed to a homogeneous mixture.

It should be thick, but pour-able.

If it’s too thick, add a few more tablespoons of blended raspberries, and if it’s too thin, add a few tablespoons of coconut flour.

Tip: You can replace the coconut flour with rice flour, or oat flour instead, just be careful of the almond flour – it will give you a bit moisturized mix.

Coconut, grape or flax seeds oil work too.
3. Heat a frying pan on medium temperature…

I used non sticky one – didn’t want to take the risk of gluing them to the pan :)

You should cook every pancake for about 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown.

When the pancake starts getting bubbles, you’ll know that it’s time to flip it.

It’s good to know that smaller pancakes are easier to flip, but if you like them bigger you can have them – just make sure to get yourself bigger spatula.

Note: Don’t worry if the first pancake is a failure – it’s the doom of the first one :)

healthy holiday recipes, Healthy Christmas Recipes

Step 2: Puffing The Whipped Cream

1. What you should do first is buy a can of coconut milk, and refrigerate it for at least 8 hours, or even better overnight.

That way the coconut milk separates from the coconut water.

When you pull it out of the fridge, turn it upside down, and open it with a can opener.

Slowly start pouring the coconut water in a mug – We’ll be using it later on for a smoothie-pudding :P

 

2. Next, pour the milk in a mixing bowl.

Prepare the mixer and start mixing it on medium speed.

After a minute, start adding the protein powder one tablespoon at a time, without stopping the mixer.

I used TRUProtein powder, natural grass fed whey, with “coconut cream pie” flavor – I got it in my last Fit Snacks package and it tastes like a piece of heaven!

After you finish pouring the protein powder, mix for another minute.

It should be smooth and creamy.

Tip: Don’t worry if your cream turns out a bit thin, just put it in the fridge, and let it rest there for a minute or two.

Note: Also, if you’re not a big fan of protein powders, you can make it with stevia – just remember to drop down those tablespoons to 1 or 2 by taste, because stevia is much sweeter than the protein powder.

 

3. Crease the whipped cream onto each pancake, arranging them one on top of the other.

Tip: Spread the whipped cream in the center of the pancakes – it will make its way to the edges of the cake as you add another pancake.

holiday dessert recipes

Step 3: Making The Topping

And last, my favorite chocolate topping made out of honey and cocoa… Yumm!

 

1. Just mix the 3 ingredients, cocoa, honey and water, in a small bowl, with a tablespoon.

Mix them until you get a homogeneous mixture.

The dressing should be creamy and thick, but pour-able.

Tip: If it is too thick, just add another ½ tablespoon water.

 

2. Splash the dressing over your 7-story cake with the help of a tablespoon.

To make a nice finish, add a tablespoon of whipped cream on top of the pancakes and a few fresh raspberries.

I made a nice touch by pouring a few tablespoons of the blended fresh raspberry mixture on top of everything.

 

Bonus Recipe: Leftover Christmas Smoothie

I love making recipes out of the leftover ingredients.

It’s good to make something out of the ingredients that you might end up throwing, right?

Well, what I have for you is the best and healthiest smoothie Christmas recipe ever!

Let’s start right away…

Healthy Christmas Recipes - Delicious Protein Pancakes

Ingredients:
  • ⅓ cup coconut water
  • ⅓ cup raspberries
  • ½ banana
  • coconut whipped cream
best protein pancake recipe christmas smoothie
Instructions:

1. Add the first 3 ingredients in a blender and blend them for 10-20 seconds.

2. Pour the mixture in a jar or a mug by your choice.

I found this amazing Christmas inspired jar a few days ago and it made a perfect fit for my smoothie.

In the end, add what’s left of your coconut whipped cream on top.

Yummy! :P

Note: If you’re using a glass or a mug, you can pour a little bit of the chocolate dressing too.

holiday smoothie recipe

Now, Let’s Save Christmas!

Well fit girls and boys, now it’s your turn to heat the pan!

Since this recipe is the best I’ve tried out of all healthy Christmas recipes I found, you have to include it into your to do list.

These fluffy pancakes will help you treat yourself by staying fit and healthy through the holiday season.

And most important of all, don’t forget to share :)

healthy christmas recipes - best protein pancake recipe