Author: Brooke Lark

It seems we’ve all gone dragon crazy.

Game of Thrones is constantly the talk of the office; children wear dragon shirts to school. Naturally, dragon party ideas are popping up everywhere. And, really, what better way to celebrate, say, a Thrones marathon, than with a house full of dragon-themed crafts and snacks?

We’ve rounded up four simple ideas that don’t take all day to carry out. You need no special skills to craft these ideas together, and most of the ingredients can be found in a grocery store, dollar store, or craft store. So, you can gather all the supplies while you’re doing your weekly shopping, then put on a dragon party to remember.

So, prepare to celebrate—dragon style. Kids of all ages will find these four easy ideas fun to make and even more fun to enjoy.

Dragon Eye Rings

Here’s a simple idea for stunning homemade jewelry. This fun idea turns glitter paper and fire beads into sparkly gems that look just like a dragon eye.

Though you could certainly prepare them ahead of time and pass them out as party favors, they make a particularly fun party activity. Simply set out the supplies with a list of directions and let guests make their own dragon eye rings. The process is simple: just cut glitter paper into right-sized rounds and draw on marquis shaped pupils. Glue to the back of a transparent or translucent fire bead, attach to a ring form, and voila! Your dragon eye ring is ready to wear.

Supplies Needed:

3/4 inch – 1 inch fire beads (available in floral section of most dollar stores)

• Glitter paper (blue, green, gold)
• Black and silver permanent markers
• Adjustable ring forms
• Clear hot glue
• Hot glue gun

How to Make:

Heat the hot glue gun.

Place a fire bead on a piece of glitter paper. Trace around the bead with a pencil, then cut inside the line to create a circle just slightly smaller than the glass drop.

With a black permanent marker, draw a marquis/diamond shape in the center of the circle. Outline the black shape with a silver permanent marker.

Pipe a small amount of clear hot glue around the glitter side of the circle. Press onto the bottom of a glass drop. Pipe a small amount of glue onto the top of the ring form, affix the marble atop. Allow to cool and harden before wearing.

Dragon Tail Cookies

Every party deserves dessert, and these cute dragon tail cookies are the perfect party eat.

You won’t need to bake these; they call for assembling instead of cooking. Start with store-bought shortbread, slather with peanut butter, arrange almond slices on top, and dip in green candy melts. The resulting cookie is an adorable “scaly” treat that tastes as good as it looks.

Supplies Needed:

• Triangle-shaped shortbread cookies (like Walker’s)
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1 1/2 cups green candy melts
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• Parchment paper

How to Make:

Spread peanut butter atop shortbread cookies. Arrange sliced almonds in several rows, pressing into peanut butter to secure.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy melts and coconut oil together in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until melted.

Gently dip cookies into the candy melts (or use a spoon to drizzle candy melts over the top of the cookies). Tap cookies to remove excess candy melt.

Place on a piece of parchment paper, almond-side up, and allow candy melt to cool and harden.

Dragon Blood Soda

Sure, you can give your guests water to drink. But why not whip up these fun green “dragon blood” sodas instead?

They take just a few minutes to make and bring an added charm to a party table. Grab a pack of green sodas, and make your own glittery labels. Handwrite right onto glitter scrapbook paper, or, if you’ve got computer skills, you can get fancy and print custom labels.

Supplies Needed:

• Green glass-bottled soda
• Glitter paper
• Permanent marker
• Hot glue gun
• Clear hot glue

How to Make:

If desired, peel labels from soda bottles. Leave bottles unopened.

Measure the label area. Cut glitter paper into a rectangle wide enough to cover the label and long enough to wrap around the bottle.

Print “Dragon Blood” on the front of the label with a permanent marker. Get as creative as you please.

Pipe a small amount of hot glue on the end of the label. Wrap around soda bottle and secure with a thin line of hot glue.

Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with colorful straws.

Dragon Eggs

No dragon party would be complete without dragon eggs! And this simple, hard-boiled hack is a surprisingly easy way to serve them up.

You’ll need at least 24 hours for best results, so plan to make these ahead. Once dyed, they can be served with salt and pepper for dipping, or can be sliced in half and turned into colorful deviled eggs.

For perfect hard-boiled eggs, place your eggs in a pan and cover with at least 1 inch of water. Place the pan on your stovetop and bring it to a boil. Once it’s boiling, stir in 1/2 tsp. of salt. Then, turn the heat off, cover the pot, and allow your eggs to sit for 12 minutes. Pour the water from pot and cover the eggs with crushed ice.

Supplies Needed:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• Food coloring

How to Make:

Crack hard-boiled eggs, but do not remove shells.

Place in a mixture of water, vinegar and food coloring. Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge overnight.

To serve, remove peels and enjoy!

Dragon Party Decor

With treats and crafts in place, it’s time to hang the decorations! Green streamers and glitter balloons are a natural match. Maybe you could set out black or purple placemats and spill golden candy coins across the table for a royal twist. Don’t forget to fill a bowl with candy fireballs and invite guests to take the “Dragon Breath Challenge”—anyone who can make it through the whole candy wins an extra bottle of dragon blood soda! Perhaps they can drink it out of a gold goblet.

More For Your Menu

If dinner will be served, chicken drumsticks make a fun medieval eat.

You could prepare a pasta salad with a mix of shell, wagon wheel, and curly pasta, and label it “Dragon Graveyard Pasta.” A bowl full of clementines labelled “Dragon Fire Balls” and party mix of “Dragon Food”—colorful candies, pretzels and mini cookies—make for tasty snacking all night long.

Fun Favors

Ship in golden Easter eggs from online retailers (unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to find them in season in stores!) and fill with fun favors. Tiny trinkets, toys and candies can be purchased from party stores. Decorate the eggs by attaching rhinestones with a glue gun. Place them in a large bowl and let guests pick their own dragon egg to tote home at the end of the night.

With so many deliciously simple ideas, your dragon party is sure to be a hit! Grab the glue gun, hit the grocery store and stock up on all supplies needed to bring your dragon party to life. With snack, craft and decor ideas covered, all you have to do is enjoy the party. It’s gonna be a firey hot night!

I’m officially obsessed with fall. Sipping mulled cider, baking apple and pumpkin everything, eating heaping bowls of my favorite Panera macaroni and cheese—that’s what I love about this time of year.
My new non-dairy lifestyle, however, does not mesh with yummy, cheesy, buttery comfort food. Luckily, my culinary curiosity is strong, and I set out to turn traditional comfort food upside down by creating a vegan dish full of creamy, rich flavors that even non-vegans would want to gobble down. A lot of ingredient tweaking led me to this unbelievably good, incredibly tasty recipe for vegan mac and cheese.
Vegan mac and cheese? You’re probably wondering how this is even possible—”vegan” and “cheese” don’t exactly go hand in hand. Yet this amazing recipe has managed to deliver a creamy, rich, satisfying bowl of cheesy pasta. No animal products, no off-tasting cheese alternatives, just an utterly delicious sauce coating every nook and cranny of al dente shell-shaped pasta. A wonderfully brilliant combination of vegan ingredients that come together to closely resemble a cheesy sauce; a heaping of cashews, full-fat coconut milk, umami-loaded nutritional yeast, and some sneaky spoonfuls of baby food blended until velvety and creamy.
Purely amazing vegan comfort food—that’s what I’m trying to say. You’ll just have to try it to believe it.
Before we start, a few things: If you’re gluten-free, swap out the regular pasta this recipe calls for and use a gluten-free macaroni pasta. Also, I recommend using a hi-speed blender (Like Vitamix or Blendtec) to make the sauce quickly—blend in a Vitamix for up to 3 minutes to add thickness and to warm up the sauce. Alternately, a food processor will blend this sauce to the right consistency. Now let’s get cooking!
(Oh, and afterward, stick around for some extra information on the recipe…and even more vegan comfort food.)

Panera Copycat Recipe: Healthy Vegan Mac and Cheese

Yield

6-8 servings

Prep Time

20 minutes

Total Time

20 minutes

Ingredients

• 16 oz medium pasta shells
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 4 oz baby food carrots
• 4 oz baby food sweet potatoes
• 3 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
• 1½ cups coconut milk (full fat)
• 2–3 large cloves garlic
• 1/4 yellow onion, peeled and diced
• ¾ cup raw cashews
• ½ lemon, freshly squeezed
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. Strain and drizzle with olive oil. Return to pasta pot.

In a high-speed blender, combine carrots, sweet potatoes, nutritional yeast, coconut milk, garlic, onion, cashews, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Puree until thickened. Pour over hot pasta. Toss to coat.
If desired, heat on stovetop until piping hot. When it won’t burn your tongue, chow down.

If you’re new to the whole vegan thing, nutritional yeast may sound unappetizing. Trust me, it’s not! It has a nutty, cheesy flavor that’s similar to parmesan cheese, but without the dairy (I dare you to try it on popcorn—you will literally eat the whole bowl!).
Nutritional yeast, by the way, is a deactivated yeast grown on beets, then dried. I know this sounds totally weird, but it’s actually beneficial to your body. Nutritional yeast is rich in vitamin B12, which is critical for production of red blood cells and for producing myelin, the protective insulation surrounding your nerves. Since vegans can’t get vitamin B12 the typical way— through eating meat, fish, and dairy products—they can get vitamin B12 from nutritional yeast. This parmesan-like wonder is also a complete protein, so you’ll get a boost for your brain, body, and muscles. Just one more thing: it’s got that hard-to-explain umami flavor that appeals to just about everyone. If you’re wondering where to find it, you can get nutritional yeast at any grocery store these days. Look for it in the spice aisle, the bulk section, or the natural foods section of your local grocery store.
Another tip: making vegan mac and cheese creamy is all about finely blending the cashews. For best results, use a hi-speed blender, which pulverizes the cashews and activates the fats to create that rich creaminess. Aside from giving the sauce a nice nutty flavor, cashews are full of healthy plant protein, and one cup contains about 40 grams of protein. Protein helps to build and repair muscles and body tissue, and since vegans can’t get it from meat, nuts are a great alternative source. Protein also helps keep you feeling full, so this vegan mac and cheese is perfect when you’ve got a voracious cold-weather appetite. Also, cashews have a lower fat content than other nuts, and most of this fat is heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. Eat up!
Full-fat coconut milk also adds creaminess to the sauce. I’ll admit to being confused about the fats in coconut milk. I thought they were long-chain fatty acids, similar to butter. Not so. Coconut milk contains a unique saturated fat with a medium-chain triglyceride formation, and can actually improve your heart health. It’s a great alternative to milk for vegans and those with lactose sensitivities.
If there’s any way to make my meals super healthy without trying, I’m in. I wanted to sneak some nutrients into this dish without cramming in big chunks of veggies. The most efficient way to do this? Baby food. Yes, seriously. A few jars of baby food not only add mac and cheesy color to my vegan version, but they add flavor and nutrition as well. And in keeping this recipe simple and easy, using a jar of baby food carrots and sweet potatoes is way faster than peeling, roasting, and pureeing, don’t you agree? I’ll never say no to a dose of beta-carotene in my vegan mac and cheese!
Want a few extra healthy vegan comfort food recipes? I’ve found five below that you’ll want to serve on a chilly fall night when you crave your favorite comfort food minus the dairy.

Low-Carb Mac and Cheese
Want to try a paleo and vegan mac and cheese? This low-carb option gets its creamy sauce from tahini, and cauliflower becomes the pasta in this healthy dish.

Crock-Pot Vegan Sloppy Joes
Another comfort food recipe, but this one’s made in the slow cooker. Vegan Sloppy Joes stand in for the usual, and this recipe is full of plant-based protein from chickpeas and lots of healthy extras. Look for a gluten-free bun if you want to go low-carb or avoid gluten.

Easy Vegan Lentil Soup
Plant-based and nourishing, Easy Vegan Lentil Soup hits the spot on a chilly night. The soup simmers in a slow cooker, so you can come home to a piping hot dinner. Serve with a side of quinoa and a big green salad.

Quick White Bean Vegan Chili
This Quick White Bean Vegan Chili has loads of flavor and gets on the table quick! Full of healthy ingredients, you’ll feel good about feeding your family this version of comfort. Top with green onions and serve with gluten-free vegan cornbread.

I’ve tried every which way to get my picky eaters to munch on veggie sticks or nibble flax crackers for a mid-day snack. No can do.

They want the packaged treats full of bright colors and galactic flavors. Since I try to steer clear of sugar-loaded goodies, offering them healthy-yet-kid-friendly snacks has always been a challenge. A touch of natural sugar, no preservatives or artificial flavors – is that too much to ask?
I recently came across a recipe for homemade gummy bears, and that set my wheels in motion. A little research for the best ingredients had me making a bee-line to the natural grocery store for grass-fed gelatin, stevia, and organic fruit juice. I gathered my ingredients, dug out my bear-shaped silicone molds, and got to work. Before I knew it, I had a whole bowl of healthy, snack-worthy Paleo gummy bears. To my surprise, they got a solid thumbs-up from my hard-to-please taste testers. Protein, all natural colors and flavors, and naturally sweetened? They’ll definitely be on snack rotation at our house from now on!

I can hear you ask, wouldn’t have been easier to go out and buy a bag of store-bought gummies? Yes, but since their first ingredient is corn syrup, and I’m trying to avoid highly processed, refined sugar that causes blood sugar to skyrocket, store-bought is out. A little further down the ingredient list comes artificial flavors, wax, and artificial coloring. Those are on my no-no list, too, as my goal is to use whole, clean ingredients to feed my family. My homemade recipe allows me to control the ingredients, and I can adjust the amount of natural sugar that goes in.
Now it’s your turn to whip up a batch of cute little Paleo gummies. Vegans and vegetarians, note that gelatin contains animal byproducts.
After you’re done, stick around to find out why these gummies are so much healthier. After that, I have some additional gelatin-based recipes for you.
Naturally Sweetened Homemade Gummy Bears

Yield: 1 batch gummy bears (approx. 50 gummy bears)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: about 1 hour
1 cup organic fruit juice
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
3 packets (3 tbsp.) unflavored gelatin
6-8 drops stevia
Coconut oil nonstick
Spray a silicone candy mold with nonstick coconut oil spray. Gently dab excess oil from mold with a paper towel.
In a small pot, heat fruit juice to boiling. As soon as juice begins to boil, remove from heat and cool for 3-4 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice and slowly add gelatin, whisking well until all incorporated. Flavor with stevia to preferred sweetness.
Working quickly, use a dropper to fill mold with juice. Place in fridge until firm. Unmold gummies once set (this usually takes about an hour).

Need a silicone mold that works perfectly for homemade gummies?

We used these darling gummy bear molds, but any silicone mold with a kid-appealing shape like hearts or stars will do. Aside from the silicone mold and recipe ingredients, you’ll also need coconut oil spray and mini droppers for easily transferring the liquid into the mold.

I used blueberry, mango and strawberry fruit juice in this recipe, but any liquid will do. Pomegranate juice, grape juice and apple juice also produce amazing results. Try fresh-pressed juice, bottled “smoothies,” or green juice.

So, what makes these cute little bears so healthy?

We’ll start with gelatin, since it’s what makes these homemade gummies all Jello-like.

For me, gelatin brings up memories of church potlucks, where all the kids marveled in disbelief at the gelatin ring with shrimp suspended in it. It’s safe to say this was the only untouched dish at the potluck. I didn’t give much thought to gelatin other than the occasional bowl of Jello when I was sick. That all changed, though, after doing some research about its nutritional benefits.
Gelatin is derived from collagen, a protein found in the skin, bones, and cartilage of animals, and contains many important amino acids, including glycine. Glycine has been linked with improved memory and focused attention. As a supplement, gelatin is used for hair and nail growth, and is promoted for keeping skin healthy and dewy, as well as for easing joint pain. Gelatin’s anti-inflammatory effects can also tame inflammation of the gut, so for those of us with tummy troubles, it’s worth considering.
I look for grass-fed gelatin, since it’s free from preservatives, hormones and antibiotics. Grass-fed beef contains more than twice the omega-3 fatty acids (which are beneficial) than standard commercially-raised beef. I love that my kids are getting a healthy dose of fatty acids while munching on a tasty snack!
Now, let’s dive into the sweetener used in this recipe. If you aren’t familiar with stevia, it’s an herb from South America that’s used as a natural sugar substitute (in powder or liquid form). Stevia has zero calories and minimal effect on blood sugar. It’s ideal for someone like me—a health-conscious mom looking for a way to sweeten snacks without causing my kids to go into sugar overdrive. It’s FDA approved and is considered a safe alternative to sugar. Since it’s super sweet, a little goes a long way!

If stevia’s not your thing, you can swap it out for 3 tablespoons of honey, agave or brown rice syrup.
With all of gelatin’s health benefits, I’m convinced you’ll want to use it more often, especially in snacks like my homemade gummy treats. From gummies to marshmallows, your kids won’t mind a daily dose of gelatin in their snack food! Here are some other recipes to try:

Energy Greens Supergreens Gummies
Infuse your gummies with green goodness. Try these homemade Super Green Gummies made with green juice, green powder, a squeeze of citrus, and grass-fed gelatin. They may be green, but they’re incredibly yummy!

Bulletproof Coffee Gummies
Made with decaf coffee, you won’t need to worry about a caffeine buzz after munching on these Bulletproof Coffee Gummies. These java-infused snacks are chock full of healthy fats to keep you feeling full for hours. This would be a perfect snack to stash in my purse!

Homemade Snickerdoodle Marshmallows
Homemade Snickerdoodle Marshmallows are surprisingly simple to make. Perfect in hot cocoa, eaten on their own like candy, or plopped in a cup of hot cocoa. Delish!

Girl Scout Copycat S’mores
Enjoy s’mores with homemade honey-kissed marshmallows and good-quality dark chocolate. Swap out your regular for this healthier Girl Scout Copycat S’mores version. Don’t worry – they taste just as amazing as the original!

Paleo Snowballs
Bite into these deliciously sinful Paleo Snowballs to get to the creamy center. This Paleo Snowball recipe goes double duty, using gelatin in both the creamy center and on the marshmallow topping. They’re dairy-free, grain-free, and get a touch of sweetness from natural sugar.

Need a silicone mold that works perfectly for homemade gummies? We used these darling gummy bear molds, but any silicone mold with a kid-appealing shape like hearts or stars will do. Aside from the silicone mold and recipe ingredients, you’ll also need coconut oil spray and mini droppers for easily transferring the liquid into the mold.
I used blueberry, mango and strawberry fruit juice in this recipe, but any liquid will do. Pomegranate juice, grape juice and apple juice also produce amazing results. Try fresh-pressed juice, bottled “smoothies” or green juice…you can even swap in some red or white wine for a grownup treat!

What if dessert were actually healthy? It can be! We’ve taken a crowd-pleasing fruit pizza, switched up a few key ingredients, and created a healthier version of the original that’s downright delicious and surprisingly good for you.

Our recipe showcases a rainbow of vibrant, antioxidant-rich fruit sitting atop a fluffy cloud of coconut cream and a scrumptious paleo cookie. We’ve stuffed this delightful dessert full of wholesome ingredients, swapping out the refined sugar for honey and making it all gluten free and paleo friendly.

A slice of this fruity treat has enough nutritional power to serve for breakfast, yet makes a stunning and delicious dessert for any party or special occasion.

We’ve kept the ingredient list to a minimum, packing in high-nutrient foods that support your overall health. Simple, good-quality ingredients make all the difference.

Fresh, ripe fruit, a five-ingredient paleo crust, and a three-ingredient coconut whip are all it takes to bring this healthy dessert together.

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this fruit pizza satisfies while providing the balanced nutrition your body needs. With a recipe this easy and straightforward, our paleo version of fruit pizza will become your new favorite. Why not serve a celebration-worthy dessert that’s both delicious and incredibly good for you?

Let’s talk crust…and not the sugar cookie kind! We’ve kicked refined flour and saturated fat to the curb, creating a five-ingredient paleo sugar cookie dough that’s full of healthy fats and protein. The best part? It tastes amazing!

We’ve replaced the flour with a combo of finely shredded unsweetened coconut, almond butter, egg, and coconut sugar. That gives the dough a good dose of protein to keep you feeling full long after eating.

Protein also keeps your body’s metabolism going throughout the day.

Almond butter and coconut cream contribute healthy fats to this recipe, aiding in stabilizing blood sugar and taming inflammation. The combo of high-quality fat and protein is like a one-two punch to keep you feeling full and satisfied—all that nutrition in one delicious crust!

Ripe berries, juicy sliced mangos, and any other fresh fruit you can imagine can be piled high on this dessert pizza! Fruit is packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system. It’s also packed with fiber, which keeps you satisfied after you eat and provides blood sugar stability.

What about the dairy? We wanted to keep this dessert dairy free for all those who are lactose intolerant and have sensitive tummies. So we swapped out the usual cream cheese filling for coconut cream. (Want to know more about a dairy-free diet? Check out this article about what you gain from cutting out dairy.)

When making the whipped coconut cream, use coconut cream or two cans of full-fat coconut milk. Chill the cans overnight, which will harden the fat in the coconut milk. About 15 minutes before you’re ready to whip, chill your mixer’s whisk attachment and bowl.

Carefully open the can of coconut milk, discard the liquid, and place the hardened cream in the bowl. Whip on high for a few minutes, adding sweetener and extract. Voilà! A dairy-free alternative to whipped cream.

Since coconut has many amazing health benefits, we thought we’d share some of them. Coconut oil is a unique saturated fat that has a medium-chain triglyceride formation. It raises levels of “good” cholesterol, decreasing the risk of heart disease.

Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, which can aid in balancing your intestinal flora and help prevent topical and internal infections. Coconut oil also boosts your immune function, may improve energy levels, and protects from a wide assortment of degenerative conditions.

This recipe swaps out refined sugar for raw honey and coconut sugar. Imagine bees picking up trace elements while going from plant to plant, then going back to the hive.

The honey they make contains small amounts of minerals like zinc and selenium, as well as some vitamins. It also has antibacterial qualities that keep it fr
om spoiling. Although honey has more calories than sugar, it’s sweeter, so you’ll end up needing less of it to sweeten a dessert like this one.

Coconut sugar also contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, and contains a fiber that may help people with diabetes keep glucose levels in check. I think we picked some clear winners!

Without further ado, here is our healthier fruit pizza. Take a peek at how it’s done in the video, then look below for the full recipe and other tasty alternative fruit pizzas.

Paleo Fruit Pizza

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

2 cups finely shredded unsweetened coconut

3/4 cup coconut sugar

1/2 cup almond butter

1 egg

1 (15 oz.) can coconut cream, chilled

2–3 tbsp. raw honey

1/2 tsp. pure almond extract

1 cup finely diced strawberries

1 cup finely diced mango

1 cup finely diced pineapple

4 kiwifruits, peeled and finely diced

1/2 pint blueberries and/or blackberries

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix together coconut, coconut sugar, almond butter, and egg until a thick dough forms. Spread on a parchment-lined pizza sheet. Cover with a second piece of parchment and use a rolling pin to roll dough to 1/4″–1/2″ thick. Remove top piece of parchment before baking.

Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the edges of the pizza begin to turn golden. Allow to cool completely.

Open coconut cream, drain out any excess water.

In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat coconut cream on high until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in honey and almond extract. Spread atop cooled cookie crust.

Arrange fruits atop the pizza. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. For best results, serve within 3 hours.

Sprinkle on extra toppings for a special treat!

Toasted coconut, sliced almonds, dark chocolate drizzle, dark chocolate chips or shavings, gluten-free granola, dusting of cinnamon, seeds (poppy, chia, hemp, sunflower), garnishes (mint, basil, or edible flowers like nasturtium).

Need fruit ideas? Here are a few, but let your imagination run wild.

Mandarin oranges, clementine segments, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, kiwi, banana, peaches, mango slices

Tips

– Create an extra elegant and beautiful dessert by using dragon fruit, oranges, grapefruit, and figs.

– Sticky dough dilemma? Oil your utensils with coconut oil before making the dough. You may need to ditch your utensils and mix with your hands. If so, rub coconut oil on your hands to prevent sticking.

– For a frosting shortcut, use coconut milk yogurt (like COYO). It won’t whip up fluffy, but it makes a tasty swap.

– Make this recipe vegan by replacing the honey with maple syrup and replacing the egg with a flax egg.

– Whip up a flax egg by mix 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal with 2.5 teaspoons water. Allow to thicken for 5 minutes before adding to the recipe.

– Make sure to slice the fruit thinly.

– If you have little ones afoot, let them help decorate!

– Change up your fruit depending on what’s in season—citrus for winter, pears and apples for fall, fresh berries in summer.

Want even more delicious and healthy fruit pizza recipes?

No-Bake Paleo Fruit Pizza

Sneak in even more healthy omega-3 fatty acids with a no-bake paleo fruit pizza with a flaxseed crust. (Source: Physical Kitchness)

Paleo Chocolate Fruit Pizza With a Brownie Cookie Crust

Chocolate lovers rejoice! This paleo chocolate fruit pizza has a brownie cookie crust. Don’t worry—this indulgent dessert still has major health benefits. (Source: Joy Food Sunshine)

Paleo Fruit Tart With Banana Pastry Cream

Have a hankering for banana cream? This paleo fruit tart has a dreamy layer of banana cream to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings the healthy way! (Source: Thriving on Paleo)

Fall beckons with ripe apples and mulled cider, but it’s really the seasonal pumpkin drinks that have my heart. Somewhere in the midst of summer, the countdown is on for pumpkin spice latte (PSL) season. And once it’s here, I’ve been known to get a daily Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino—until I saw the nutrition information, that is.

With the original Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, the sugar and calorie counts are off the charts. Shocked (but unwilling to live life without this autumnal gem), I set out to make it over at home with ingredients that are kinder to my body—but still full of the incredible pumpkin spice flavor.

Turns out a healthy version of a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino really isn’t that hard to make. A simple switch-up of ingredients results in a good-for-you (yet tasty) version of the original.

Think organic pumpkin purée, coconut or almond milk, and pure maple syrup to replace the artificial flavoring, dairy, and processed sugars. Now that I’ve perfected a guilt-free recipe, I’m ready to save both money and calories by cutting out my daily habit.

You on board?

Put in real pumpkin.

Let’s talk about what goes into most coffee shop frappés: loads of artificially flavored syrup made with lots of refined sugar, full fat sugar-sweetened whipped cream, and no sign of real pumpkin anywhere.

One look at that ingredient list, and it’s easy to see that the first way to upgrade the PSL is to put real pumpkin in the recipe. Pumpkin is chock-full of vitamins and minerals, so why not add this nutritional superstar to your mug? Pumpkin contains dietary fiber and is a rich source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that boosts vision and lowers the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Quick Tip: Freezing the pumpkin purée in an ice cube tray was the best method for perfecting the consistency of this drink while not diluting it like regular ice cubes would. Look for organic canned pumpkin purée or organic pumpkin pie mix, which can be found in most grocery and natural grocery stores.

Swap the refined sugar.

Let’s revisit the sugar content in classic frappés. Ready for the shocker? A 12-oz. drink has 48 grams of sugar, and a 16-oz. size has a whopping 73 grams.

Just to put that in perspective: The American Heart Association recommends that men limit sugar intake to 37.5 grams per day and women, 25 grams per day. Just one drink is taking you well over the limit, offering up the sugar equivalent of two or three candy bars in one sitting.

In our recipe, we’ve swapped out all the artificial syrups that contain sugar, sugar, and more sugar and added in a favorite natural sweetener, maple syrup. It brings the sugar count way down to about 18 grams for a very large mug.

Added bonus: Maple syrup is more nutrient dense than table sugar, with manganese and iron to aid in improved immunity and metabolism of carbohydrates and fat.

Maple syrup contains up to 24 different antioxidants and phytochemicals, making it a smart choice for taming the inflammation that leads to chronic disease.

The best part? It tastes great and boosts that autumn-kissed caramel flavor that pairs so nicely with pumpkin.

Plant-Based Perfection

We swapped out the dairy in this drink for unsweetened coconut milk, but you can also use almond milk. Whether you’re a plant-based eater, paleo lover, or simply trying to avoid lactose, both of these dairy-free options make for a tasty frappé. You won’t even miss the dairy.

(Pssst… Want to know more about a dairy-free diet? Check out this article about what you gain from cutting dairy out of your diet.)

Almond milk has fewer calories than whole milk and is both cholesterol and saturated fat free. If you buy the unsweetened version of almond milk, it has 0 grams of sugar, compared with the 12 grams of naturally occurring sugar in dairy milk.

Coconut milk is also lower in calories than milk and contains 0 grams of sugar. It does, however, contain medium chain fatty acids, bringing the fat content closer to that of dairy milk as compared with almond milk (although the fats in coconut milk may actually raise your good levels of cholesterol).

Coconut milk has some amazing health benefits, from stabilizing blood sugar levels to taming inflammation to improving heart health. So drink up!

Most coffee shops top their frappés with a beautiful dollop of whipped cream. Since I’ve mentioned above that dairy is not my friend, I’ve got a vegan whipped topping that’s lip-smacking good. It starts with a can of full-fat coconut milk. The key is to chill the can for anywhere from 4 to 24 hours, which hardens the fat in the coconut milk.

About 15 minutes before you’re ready to whip, chill your whisk attachment and mixing bowl. You’ll need to carefully open the can of coconut milk, pour off the liquid, and place the hardened cream in the mixing bowl.

Add the sweetener and whip on high for a few minutes. You now have a luscious, rich, dairy-free topping! Sprinkle on a dusting of natural coconut sugar and you’ve got a delightfully healthy coffee shop drink.

Or save time and look in the freezer section of most health food stores for a ready-to-use vegan whipped topping. Either option makes a great topping for this blender drink.

Dive head first into fall and sip a cup of pumpkin goodness. Swapping out your favorite coffee shop drink for a healthier version saves you calories, reduces sugar intake, and is easy on your wallet. Why not get your blender out now?

Once you’ve savored a healthy, homemade version of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, you’ll never want to wait in line at the coffee shop again!

Healthy Recipe Copycat: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

A switch-up of ingredients takes the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino and gives it a healthy twist. Make this at-home version and shave major calories, reduce sugar intake, and enjoy whole food ingredients that are good for you!

Watch the video to see how we made it, then look below for the recipe and other healthier alternatives to your favorite specialty drinks.

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: Overnight

Active Time: 5 minutes (Total Time: 24 hours)

* 1 1/4 cup coconut milk

* 1 1/4 cup organic pumpkin pie mix or pumpkin puree

* 1 (12 oz.) bottle cold brew coffee

* 1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

* 1/3 cup + 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup

* Vegan whipped cream

Pour coconut milk in an ice cube tray. With a small cookie scoop, scoop pumpkin pie mix into another ice cube tray. Freeze overnight.

When ready to blend, place coconut milk and pumpkin ice cubes in a hi-speed blender. Add coffee, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and 1/3 cup maple syrup. Blend until puréed.

Top with vegan whipped cream, drizzle with 1 teaspoon maple syrup, and garnish with 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.

Serve and enjoy!

Even More Coffee Shop Swaps

If you’re looking for healthy versions of other popular seasonal fall drinks, here are a few we recommend.

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Sip on a steaming mug of this delightful skinny brew! Make your own skinny pumpkin spice latte and shave calories and sugar by using this delicious recipe.

For the recipe, visit the Happier Homemaker.

Starbucks Copycat Chile Mocha

Spice up your day with this better-for-you version of the Starbucks Chile Mocha.

It’s got a hint of heat to keep you cozy and warm, and it’s made with almond milk and raw sugar for a healthier way to sip.

For the recipe, visit the Foodie and the Fix.

Salted Caramel Latte

The healthy fats in this salted caramel latte can boost your immune system and metabolism. It’s got both coconut oil and grass-fed butter melted in with a drizzle of raw honey on top.

For the recipe, visit Wellness Mama.