Our Favorite Holiday Sweets + How to Make Mushroom Gravy

And a look at sweet potatoes

Happy Monday! As we get closer to the holiday season, we want to share more holiday-focused content with you. Time seems to go faster and faster the older we get, and we often joke that it’s always almost Christmas, but it really is now!

This holiday season, we’re excited to share recipes, some of our favorite holiday memories, and kitchen items that can help make all hosting and entertaining a bit easier and more enjoyable!

Today, we’re sharing a few of our favorite holiday desserts, and take a quick look at why sweet potatoes are a great add to your holiday menu (including two delicious sweet potato recipes). Diana also shows how to make her favorite vegetarian Mushroom Gravy!

And later this week, look for more holiday recipes, as well as insight on:

• How to treat heartburn naturally with herbs and foods

• Our opinion on functional drinks

• Diana’s thoughts on introducing solids to babies - including allergens

We want to know: What are some of your favorite holiday desserts? Have they evolved over the years, or do you still crave the classics from your childhood? Share in the comments!

(P.S. Become a paid subscriber to join the full conversation.)

Our Favorite Holiday Sweets

Dr. Weil:

As far as holiday sweets go, one of my favorites is squash pie. I’ve been making it for a long time - long before Diana was born. I wanted to make a version that didn’t have any eggs or dairy, so I experimented until I landed on a filling made with cashew milk and arrowroot as the thickener. It’s absolutely delicious. I used to grow Tahitian squash, which are especially sweet and make an excellent pie, but any good, naturally sweet squash will do. The sweeter the squash, the better the flavor. I like to make a simple crust with just graham crackers, a little maple syrup, and a neutral oil. Years ago, I brought this pie to a dinner where seven people happened to show up with pumpkin pies and we did a little blind taste test, and mine was the one everyone preferred. No one realized it was vegan, which I loved. Give it a try.

As for other holiday treats I enjoy, I like coconut black rice pudding. It’s a traditional dish in Thailand, and I did my best to recreate the recipe. I also enjoy a good Italian ricotta cheesecake or panforte (which you can find on Amazon). But I don’t really eat many holiday sweets unless something is really wonderful. Maybe a good cookie at a party. And I always like ice cream.

Diana:

I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m a big dessert girl. Skip the salty snacks and give me something sweet any day. I don’t feel any guilt about eating dessert, holiday or not, but I only eat the desserts I really enjoy. Life’s too short for meh cookies or dry cake. I’ve noticed that because I let myself enjoy sweets whenever I want them, I don’t feel tempted by the things that don’t make me feel good or that I don’t love the taste of. There’s no “forbidden treat” energy. I just check in and think, “Is this actually worth it?” If not, I skip it.

Holiday sweets don’t actually tend to be my favorite - I pass on rum balls, most store-bought pies and cakes, and puddings. But there are a few holiday desserts I love. My husband is famous for his pumpkin pie - he makes the crust from scratch and roasts a pumpkin for the filling. It’s not too sweet, which allows the pumpkin flavor to really shine. My dad makes an incredible squash pie, which I’ve realized I’m overdue for! And every year I love making a cranberry cheesecake with orange zest… still working on the no-crack top, but getting there.

We Root For Sweet Potatoes!

We’re both big fans of sweet potatoes. The moist, orange-fleshed varieties are often called “yams,” while drier, yellow-fleshed varieties are usually called “sweet potatoes.” Read on for the health benefits of sweet potatoes, how to cook them, and two delicious recipes:

Savory Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Garlic and Olive Oil (free for all)

Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Thyme (VIP subscriber only)

3 Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

1. Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and complex carbohydrates that help regulate blood sugar and keep you full longer.

2. They’re loaded with beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A - an essential vitamin for immune function, vision, and skin health.