Christmas is a time of indulgence, but if you’re managing diabetes, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on delicious treats. With a little bit of creativity and attention to ingredients, you can enjoy festive favourites that are both tasty and diabetic-friendly.

Here are some festive recipes that keep blood sugar levels in check without sacrificing flavour.

Diabetic-Friendly No Added Sugar Christmas Pudding

The natural sweetness of the dried fruits, apples, and juice in this recipe makes this pudding festive and sweet, without any need for additional sugar. It can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to a month.

Ingredients:

• 150g mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, sultanas, currants)
• 50g chopped dried apricots
• 50g chopped dates (ensure no added sugar)
• 1 medium apple, peeled and grated
• 100ml unsweetened apple juice
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 50g ground almonds
• 75g wholemeal flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground mixed spice
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 medium eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp brandy or whisky (optional)
• 50g chopped walnuts or almonds (optional, for added texture)
  
  

Instructions:

Prepare the dried fruit:

• Place the mixed dried fruits, chopped apricots, and dates in a large bowl. Add the grated apple, orange zest, orange juice, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  • Pour over the unsweetened apple juice and, if using, the brandy or whisky. Stir well, cover, and let the mixture sit overnight or at least for a few hours to allow the fruits to soak and plump up.

Mix the dry ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, combine the ground almonds, wholemeal flour, baking powder, cinnamon, mixed spice, and nutmeg.
  
  

Combine the mixtures:

• Add the beaten eggs and vanilla extract to the fruit mixture, stirring well.
  • Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
  • If you’re adding chopped nuts for extra texture, fold them in now.
    
    

Steam the pudding:

• Grease a 1-litre (or smaller) pudding basin and line the bottom with a small circle of parchment paper.
  • Spoon the mixture into the basin, pressing it down with a spatula.
  • Cover the top of the basin with a layer of parchment paper and a layer of foil, tied securely with string.
  • Place the pudding basin in a large pan and pour enough boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the basin.
  • Cover the pan with a lid and steam for about 3 hours, topping up the water as necessary.
    
    

Finishing:

• Once the pudding is cooked (it should be firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean), remove it from the pan and allow it to cool slightly.
  • Once cooled, turn the pudding out onto a plate. Serve it warm with diabetic-friendly custard, cream, or yogurt.
    
    

Top tip:

To reheat, steam again for 1 hour or microwave in short bursts until warm.

Shop for no added Sugar Christmas Pudding

Diabetic-Friendly No-Added Sugar Christmas Biscuits

These festive biscuits are perfect for enjoying during the Christmas season, either with a cup of tea or as a treat to share with friends and family, without the worry of added sugar. The almond flour gives these biscuits a naturally sweet, nutty flavour, so they don’t need much extra sweetness.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for up to a month.

Ingredients:

• 150g almond flour (ground almonds)
• 50g oat flour (or finely ground oats)
• 50g granulated sweetener (e.g., erythritol or stevia, suitable for baking)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger (optional for a festive touch)
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 medium egg
• 50g unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange (optional for festive flavour)
• A pinch of salt
• A few drops of almond or rum essence (optional for extra flavour)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven:

1. Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix the dry ingredients:

1. In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, oat flour, sweetener, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, orange zest (if using), and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine.

Combine wet ingredients:

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter (or coconut oil), vanilla extract, and almond/rum essence (if using).

Form the dough:

1. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well to form a dough. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little more almond flour to bring it to the right consistency.

Shape the biscuits:

1. Roll the dough into small balls (about 2.5cm in diameter) and flatten them slightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon to form biscuits. Alternatively, if you prefer to make festive shapes, roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and cut it with Christmas-themed cookie cutters.

Bake:

1. Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
2. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Top tip:

• If you’d like to decorate the biscuits, you can use a diabetic-friendly icing made from cream cheese, a small amount of sugar-free sweetener, and vanilla extract. Simply mix until smooth and drizzle lightly over the cooled biscuits. You can also add finely chopped nuts or seeds for texture.

Shop for low sugar sweet treats

Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce

No Christmas meal is complete without cranberry sauce, and this diabetic-friendly version uses natural sweeteners to give you all the festive flavour without the sugar.

Ingredients:

• 300g fresh or frozen cranberries
• 100ml water
• 100g unsweetened apple juice or 50g unsweetened orange juice (for a hint of sweetness)
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cranberries:
   • Rinse the cranberries under cold water and remove any stems or blemished berries.
2. Combine ingredients:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, water, apple or orange juice, and a pinch of salt. If using, add the orange zest and ground cinnamon.
3. Cook the cranberries:
   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will burst and thicken the sauce as it cooks.
4. Adjust sweetness:
   • Taste the sauce after about 10 minutes. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of your chosen granulated sweetener and continue to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until fully combined.
5. Cool and store:
   • Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
   • Once cooled, transfer the cranberry sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be stored in the fridge for up to one week.

Top tip:

Serve this no-added sugar cranberry sauce alongside roast turkey, ham, or chicken. It also pairs well with cheese boards or as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal.

This cranberry sauce is not only easy to prepare but also packed with antioxidants and flavour without the added sugar. Enjoy!

Looking for a diabetic friendly Christmas gift?

Many people with diabetes feel left out when it comes to food-based celebrations. Traditional holiday hampers or gift baskets often contain high-sugar chocolates, biscuits, and other treats that don’t fit into their diet. Diabetic hampers, on the other hand, are specially curated with their health in mind, allowing them to enjoy the same level of indulgence without compromising on their well-being.

These hampers are filled with low-sugar, sugar-free, and naturally sweetened sweet and savoury treats that taste just as good as the regular options. And with so many delicious choices available, your loved ones will get to savour a variety of flavours—without the worry.

Whether you choose to create a hamper or select one from our diabetic hamper range, these hamper selections bring together the best of both worlds: deliciousness and diabetes-friendly choices.