Orange Cardamom Bites {Sugar free • Gluten Free}

These orange cardamom bites are a perfect pick-me-up midday, or a quick breakfast treat. They just happen to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free too.

It’s no secret that I adore dessert. So, that first week of my sugar cleanse was torture! I went cold-turkey as in NO dessert whatsoever and I experienced sugar withdrawal. No lie. So, I decided to come up with a few sugar-free “treats” to trick my mind and taste buds.

And the first ones that came out of my kitchen that not only tricked my mind and taste buds, but my daughter’s as well, were these no-bake orange cardamom bites.

Cardamom is an extremely popular spice in Sri Lankan cooking, with its pods being used in a variety of savory curries and fragrant rice pilafs and biryani.

When I was younger and I happened on one of those pods in one of my mom’s savory curries or rice dishes, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t totally appalled as those pods were not appealing to my young taste buds. Now, however, I adore cardamom (almost as much as I adore desserts) whether it’s in a savory or sweet dish.

And, I was surprised to learn that cardamom isn’t just known for its aromatic smell. In fact, cardamom, one of the most expensive spices here, is a powerful anti-inflammatory, an antispasmodic, an anti-coagulant, a blood pressure regular, a breath refresher and immunity booster! It also comes with a fair share of fiber and vitamin C! All in such a small pod!

Combined with orange zest in these gluten free, dairy free bites, cardamom packs a mighty flavor punch, distracting from the fact that these treats are free of any refined sugar! If you happen to be watching your sugar intake or just want a fuss free, healthier, no bake bite to enjoy during the 2 pm afternoon slump or even a quick breakfast, then mix yourself up a batch of these and enjoy!

This recipe first appeared on FoodFanatic – Please check out FoodFanatic for more recipe ideas and inspiration!