We all love a little candy. That sweet shot of sugary goodness is a taste sensation, but there’s no denying that it’s not the healthiest of snacks.
So, what do you do if you want a little candy in the wedding buffet but you don’t want guests walking around with sugar rushes all day? These healthy wedding candy bar ideas should do the trick.
Idea #1 – Almond Butter Cups
Peanut butter cups are a favorite across the nation. But that creamy goodness comes at a cost, especially if you plump for sweetened peanut butter.
Happily, there’s a great alternative in almond butter cups. Almonds contain plenty of antioxidants and come loaded with fiber and protein. They’re also an awesome source of vitamin E.
Best of all, using almond butter for your cups means you get to eat a little chocolate without feeling too guilty about it.
Idea #2 – Coconut Oil Fudge
You’ll have to do a little work at home to make these candies. Thankfully, all you need is a half-cup of nut butter, two and a half tablespoons of coconut oil and a little sweetener. You can also add some fruit to bring a little flavor to the fudge.
Just melt the coconut oil and nut butter until you can stir it. Add any other ingredients, stir them in well, then pop the mixture into molds. A little time in the freezer causes them to set, after which you have a tasty treat that’s loaded with healthy fats.
Idea #3 – 100 Grand Bars
This is one that you can pick up in most stores. 100 Grand Bars mix chocolate, caramel, and a healthy portion of nuts. The nuts offer plenty of health benefits on their own, but it’s the low calorie count that makes these such a great choice.
One whole bar packs in just 190 calories, which makes these a great choice for wedding candy.
Idea #4 – Dark Chocolate Mounds Bars
Mounds Bars combine dark chocolate with a healthy dose of coconut to create a tasty treat.
Dark chocolate is the healthiest of the chocolates because it comes packed with plenty of iron and antioxidants. Plus, there’s evidence to suggest that you can use it to keep control of your blood pressure.
Adding coconut flesh into the mix just adds to the package. You get a great shot of vitamins, including plenty of C, E, and a bunch of B vitamins. It’s also a great source of iron along with several other vital nutrients.
Idea #5 – Oatmeal Bars
You may view these as a bit of a breakfast treat. Still, there’s no reason not to serve oatmeal bars as one of your candy options at your wedding.
Go for the whole oat option to enjoy a range of health benefits, including high antioxidant content, lower blood sugar, and a heaping of nutritional goodness. Of course, plenty of these bars also come packed with fruit. As a result, you get a double threat when it comes to healthy candy bar ideas.
You can find oatmeal bars at most stores too, so you shouldn’t have any trouble creating some variety at your wedding.
Idea #6 – Nature’s Candy Bar
This idea comes from a recipe shared at The Nourishing Gourmet. Again, you’ll have to do a little bit of work to get these candy bars ready for the big day. However, there are very few that taste this good and pack so much nutritional value into a single bar.
You’ll need six coconut date rolls, a heaped tablespoon of your favorite coconut oil, and one-and-a-half cups of dark chocolate chips. You’ve already seen the health benefits of these ingredients above.
Melt the coconut oil and the chocolate chips in a pan. The key is that you take the pan off the heat as soon as the chocolate takes on a smooth texture.
Then, you’ll break out your rolling pin to flatten each of the date rolls to about a half-inch of thickness. Coat each one in a layer of your melted chocolate and place the rolls on parchment paper. At this point, you can add a sprinkling of a topping into the equation. Orange and lemon zest are both great choices here.
After that, just pop the rolls into the fridge until they set. You get some tasty homemade candies that come loaded with nutritional goodness.
Idea #7 – Jordan Almonds
Jordan Almonds are a great choice because they’re part of the wedding tradition in a host of countries. Take Italy as an example. Five of these treats represent wishes for wealth, fertility, health, happiness, and longevity for the bride and groom.
The Greeks also serve Jordan Almonds in their candy bars in uneven numbers. This represents the sharing nature of marriage, which makes them a nice symbol for compromise.
Of course, the big draw for the health-conscious is the use of almonds.
Idea #8 – Licorice
Now this is a candy that falls into the “love it or hate it” category. You’ll probably find that half your guests avoid it. Still, that means the other half will love it.
Licorice also has a bunch of health benefits attached to it. These include the ability to soothe digestive issues and a supposed ability to lower stress. That last one may be just what you need after such an intense day.
The Final Word
Your guests will flock to your candy bar throughout the night so it’s crucial that you offer a bit of variety. For the health-conscious, it’s not enough to just load the bar up with every candy under the sun. You want something healthy as well as tasty.
The eight ideas on this list give you a good mix of healthy candies for your candy bar. You’ll find some of these in stores but you may need to do a little prep work for a few of them. Still, the recipes included are easy enough to make, so you can always assign them to someone else without causing too much hassle.
Most importantly, each candy on this list offers a range of health benefits. That means you can indulge a little without feeling those nasty pangs of guilt.
