Before we start, the biggest of happy birthdays to my wonderful boyfriend, Nate! I love you and am so thrilled to be celebrating with you!
This gluten-free and refined sugar-free dessert was a big hit the other weekend at a BBQ! Freshly sliced nectarines are placed on top of a simple tart crust made of shredded coconut, rolled oats, and almond flour.
I struggle sometimes with whether I want to bring “healthier” desserts to dinner parties. I worry that people are going to not like the healthy swaps or wish that I had just brought what they consider “the real thing”. Sometimes when I’m putting together one of these DCC creations that I plan to share with people other than Nate, I debate with whether I should just throw in the towel and use white flour and sugar because it’s more foolproof! But I reassure myself that people usually appreciate a dessert that’s not going to totally put them overboard into a food coma after eating whatever the host puts together for dinner. And I feel so passionately about the concept that whole foods are delicious, and instead of just promoting that in my own kitchen, I should always be spreading the word and proving that to the world! So I nervously brought this nectarine tart over to my friend’s house last week, and sneakily placed it out for dessert and then was like “who put dessert out?”
And, it was a HIT. Everyone gobbled up these treats and went back for seconds and thirds! They asked me for the recipe and I told them it would be on the blog eventually and I’d send them the link. That’s when I told them the ingredients,, and everyone was so excited and impressed. Granted - these are certainly a treat and not a health food - but I think people are still getting used to the concept that a healthier dessert doesn’t have to be a fruit cup. In San Francisco alone, there are so many places to go that have amazing healthier desserts and snacks. I love how easy and readily available those options are to us living in the city.
On a similar note, it makes me sad when I travel around the country for work and I don’t see these same healthy options everywhere. I heard a quote once that the question we should be asking is not why healthy food is expensive, but why unhealthy food is so cheap. In most other first world countries, people spend way more of their income on food for their family than the US. It’s really interesting that consumption and spending in general has gone up in the US, but not the percentage of that going to food. So people are spending more money on other things than food, while in places like France and Japan, people are spending a lot more money on groceries to cook for their family. And in those countries, rates of obesity and preventable illness are so much lower. I don’t believe I’m making a huge leap when I see a correlation there!
Regardless, I LOVE how there is this powerful health movement (us healthy food bloggers!!) in the US that is by no means grassroots. It’s very mainstream! It’s just not as accessible or promoted in all areas of the country. But I’m glad we’re doing our part to spread the world, one healthier nectarine tart at the time. I am constantly impressed with my fellow food bloggers and the ways you all promote healthy habits from your family to your communities - it is truly inspiring, and I’m so glad I bit the bullet 10 months ago to start DCC and join the force.
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 1 large nectarine, thinly sliced
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- Juice of half a lemon
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
- Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment paper, and lightly grease the parchment paper
- Thoroughly mix and combine the oats, coconut, baking soda, almond flour, coconut flakes, coconut sugar, butter, egg, and cinnamon in a large bowl
- Evenly distribute and press the tart batter onto the parchment paper. It should be about ½ inch thick
- Using the same bowl from the batter, gently toss the nectarines with the cornstarch
- Distribute evenly over the tart
- Sprinkle the lemon juice over the fruit
- Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until the tart has browned on the sides
- Remove and place on a wire rack to cool
- Allow to cool completely before cutting
If you like this, you’ll love: Cornmeal Almond Raspberry Bars (gluten free)
Thanks for stopping by! 
Love the combination of flavors!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Weekend Photo Dump, Playing Tourist in Asheville
They were so good!
Happy birthday to Nate!!
These look so beautiful - seriously, almost to pretty to eat. But you know I would still have no problem eating them!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie recently posted…Weekend Recap: Let the Training Begin!
Something about summer fruit - so pretty on its own!
Happy birthday to Nate! And I love the message behind this post. I 100% agree with you! I often feel scared to share healthier desserts for fear of rejection but I think the more that we spread the message, the more open everyone will become to trying new things and appreciating how delicious they are. This beautiful tart looks the perfect way to convince them too! Yum!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Summer at the Ranch
Glad we’re in this “together!”
I love it when you can add a few healthy touches to a dessert
Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola recently posted…Things I Did This Weekend
Right? Making it “healthier” even if it’s still a treat.
Happy birthday to Nate! I am SURE that everyone was impressed with this dessert! Not only is it so pretty, but it looks like the perfect summer BBQ dessert.
It IS so great that healthy food is becoming more mainstream. I can only imagine how many delicious and healthy options are available in CA. I am sure it is more than available here in East Tennessee.
Heather@hungryforbalance recently posted…The Weekend in 3 words per picture
Haha - that’s likely true!
this looks GORGEOUS. im totally obsessed with this idea! i bet frankie wouldn’t even know its healthy…
p.s. Happy Birthday Nate!
Ashley | the Pike Place Kitchen recently posted…Sunday Sprinkles
It’s sneaky that way!!
I WISH you would bring this to my parties! I am the only one who enjoys healthy treats in my group and sometimes I get tired of the unhealthy refined sugar, etc!
Britt@MyOwnBalance recently posted…Mom’s Day Out with Stitch Fix
Lol!! Sometimes I bring treats like these and I don’t even tell people they are healthier
Dani, this looks SO incredible! I love that it’s healthy too (and gluten-free 😉 ). While I do enjoy a completely guilty indulgence from time to time, it is so fun to make healthier versions, especially when you see everyone gobble them up just as fast, if not faster than the other, unhealthier options. Nice work, lady! Can’t wait to give this a shot.
Leah @ Grain Changer recently posted…Gluten-Free Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies
For sure!! Let me know if you give it a try!
Seriously I’m dying. I want this for breakfast like right now. How beautiful. I would have trouble sharing this with others honestly. I think I will have to make a batch, maybe a mini-version (cuz I’m not sharing!)
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Fresh Veggie Spring Rolls
Dani, this looks SO delicious! Pinned!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…HIIT WORKOUT #3-Tabata Training
Thank you! We enjoyed it!