The holidays are right around the corner! It’s time to remember what we’re thankful for, honor family traditions, and enjoy delicious festive foods! However, if you have braces, classic holiday meals present a whole new set of challenges. Many sweets and desserts that are so abundant this time of year can damage your braces or get your orthodontic treatment off track. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up all your favorite treats. Use these three braces-friendly holiday dessert recipes to make your meals complete and safe for your smile.
1.) Banana Cinnamon Ice Cream
Ice cream is a great treat year-round, and its coolness can help soothe any soreness you may be feeling from your braces. To enjoy your ice cream without so much sugar, try making your own!
Ingredients
- 5 overripe bananas, frozen
- 3 cups vanilla almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cinnamon powder to taste
Directions
This recipe is incredibly easy! Just throw all your ingredients except for the cinnamon into a blender and mix until smooth and creamy. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon for the perfect touch!
2.) Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberry Santas
These cute little treats are healthy and fun to make!
Ingredients
- 16 oz fresh strawberries, washed
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 4 Tbsp honey OR powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
On a cutting board, slice the stem off the strawberry to create a flat base. Then, cut off the top third of the strawberry and set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, honey OR powdered sugar, and vanilla. Place mixture into a piping bag (or a zip bag with a corner snipped off). With the strawberries sitting on the flat surface where their stem used to be, top the strawberry base with cream mixture, place reserved strawberry tips on top, and add a bit more mixture on top of them. Using a smaller piping tip or the opposite side of your zip bag with a smaller opening, place small drops on the strawberry base in a line for “Santa’s” jacket buttons. Finally, place two mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles per each strawberry to decorate Santa’s eyes. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
3.) Super Easy Soft Holiday Sugar Cookies
Skip crunchy gingerbread cookies and chewy sugar cookies that can damage your braces and try these extra soft sugar cookies instead!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 ¼ cups white sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together butter and sugar until well combined. Then, add the egg yolks and vanilla and mix. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Add the flour mixture until just combined without over-mixing. Scoop dough into balls about two tablespoons each and roll them in sugar. Place them on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet and bake for 17 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies start to crack. Remove from oven and leave the cookies on the cookie sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Just because you’re wearing braces doesn’t mean you have to give up all your favorite holiday treats! Remember, don’t over-indulge on sugary sweets, keep up your great oral hygiene habits, and always follow your orthodontist’s instructions to ensure your smile stays healthy while it’s being straightened this holiday season.
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer a variety of services to help the families of Framingham and the surrounding communities get the straighter, healthier smiles they deserve. In fact, we share a passion for building relationships with our patients and their parents to ensure their treatment goes as pleasantly as possible all year long! For more holiday tips for braces, contact us online or at (508) 250-0170.