You could always make Coconut Macaroons....

Avoid anything with sweeteners.

Lots of Paleo / Primal recipes at http://marksdailyapple.com

and here

http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/grain-free-goodies/blueberry-espresso-brownies/

and

http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/category/grain-free-goodies/

YAY FOR PALEO.

Macaroon recipes usually have sugar is a main ingredient.

But coconut is a smart idea.

Here's a great source for all sorts of paleo recipes. I've tried a number of these recipes and they've all been delicious - http://www.elanaspantry.com/

Dates rolled in coconut!! SO freaking good and super simple!

Chocolate covered bacon. Trust me.

Macaroons of course...
http://www.elanaspantry.com/paleo-coconut-macaroons/

BUT these beauties are absolutely delicious!!
http://www.theurbanbaker.com/raw-honey-almond-strawberry-scones/

@Britalian I think Trace is referring to Coconut Macaroons, which could be easily adapted, no French Macarons, which is what I think you are thinking of and would absolutely need sugar.

http://paleoparents.com/featured/creamy-chocolate-chip-coconut-macaroons/

*not

Stupid keyboard.. Can we get an edit feature please?

DessertStalker is a TasteSpotting-like site just for Paleo-friendly desserts.

You may also want to confirm how flexible your friend is with the diet. Some are strict "no dairy or sweeteners", others are more lenient "no refined sugars, but honey and maple syrup are fine", and yet more are OK with artificial carb-free sweeteners like Stevia.

Dates (I don't get why these are Paleo - after all you can make both syrup and sugar from them without a whole lot of manipulation, but whatever) can be used as a base for all kinds of stuff if you grind them up. Mini nut-based piecrusts, chocolate truffles (mix with cocoa and nuts for texture, roll in nuts) and all kinds of Larabar-type stuff. Keep in mind dried fruits are restricted but not disallowed (see http://www.paleodietfoodlist.net/paleo-diet-food-list/)re restricted slightly.

Homemade trail mix is another suggestion - just omit any grains or sugar-based candy; you can add cocoa nibs instead of chocolate and dried fruits for sweetness.

Chestnuts are allowed - I wonder if you could invent some kind of date-based marrons glacees...or gelatin is allowed; you could do a fruity panna cotta sweetened with a bit of date syrup...

I am paleo and one of my *favorite* desserts is chestnut mousse (with maple syrup):
http://www.foodbeam.com/2007/11/22/harder-better-faster-stronger-une-mousse-aux-chataignes-to-die-for/

I also enjoy avocado-chocolate mousse, any pie with a nut crust, chia seed pudding, the cranberry curd bars on the Kitchn site with a nut crust, fig pinwheel cookies: http://beta.primal-palate.com/recipe/fig-pinwheels/

Hope you find something he (and everyone else) can enjoy! Its so nice that you are accommodating the diet so he can partake in desert a bit!

I'm surprised that www.fastpaleo.com hasn't yet been mentioned.

My sister's on a no-carb diet, so instead of making sweets for her this year, I'm making spice mixes and marinades, so she has interesting things to do with all the meat she has to eat. Just something you might consider as an alternative.

I've been paleo for 6 months, and have concocted a whole host of dessert recipes - mostly adapted from ones online. Do a search for paleo desserts and you'll find a ton of recipes. I personally don't use honey or maple sugar, but do use dates and bananas for most sweetness needs. Brownies, pumpkin pie, muffins, you name it... But before you make something, you might ask him if he would eat bananas or dates - some people are very strict about carbs depending on why they are doing the diet, and it would just be for naught.

If maple is okay - Maple candied bacon.

Hi all,

I have brought alot of paleo recipes books over the past 6 months but this one is probably my favorite thebestpaleocookbook.com

Hope this helps and have a great christmas

i'm with sth on this- if this person is following a pretty restrictive/specific diet, maybe giving them sweets/a dessert isn't the best idea. maybe you could give them a herb plant or nut mix if you're intent on something edible.

My husband if "forcing" me to make him apple dumplings once a week. Still following the Paleo Recipe Book plan reviewed on http://timreviews.com/paleo-recipe and it includes some mouth watering desserts.
Jennifer

Along the lines of STH's suggestion, I often make myself pestos (basil, cilantro, rosemary, etc) because they are super handy to have on hand to add onto meat or into a salad dressing. That would be a super appreciated paleo gift and avoids the sugar question altogether!

Check out ShortKitchen--www.shortkitchen.metabolic-kitchen.com for great Paleo recipes

I've been following and using the various recipes use in the Paleo Receipe book reviewed on

http://www.rockefellerreviews.com/paleo-cookbooks/

They have pretty nicely crafted desert recipes.
Eating (and sticking to) Paleo has been a challenge (especially around the holidays lol) but it's well worth it.

Really? No mention of http://nomnompaleo.com/ ? Everything I've made from her is fantastic. Makes me wish I had an iPad for the app.

This is also a good "beginner's" guide to paleo (for those of us who are still beginners) that has some yummy recipes if you are interested:
http://www.thepaleopath.com/