Skip Sugar–– Not Dessert!
Got a major sweet tooth? Is a meal incomplete without a dessert? If it makes you grumpy thinking about skipping your sweet treat today, it’s ok, we’ve got you. Quitting refined sugar and substituting ingredients for healthier options is the best way to satisfy your cravings without taking dessert out of your life. Our twists on your favorite treats are so delicious you won’t believe they’re healthy.
1. Funky Monkey Milkshake
Thick, rich, cold, creamy–– a shake is a glorious blended creation. Instead of ice cream, try a funky monkey that gives you the same nostalgic feelings but with a lot more nutrients. Blend frozen bananas with a heaping spoonful of peanut butter, cocoa powder, and honey. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt if you want extra creaminess.
2. Greek Yogurt Cheese Cake
Try this version of a classic cheesecake and you’ll feel like a Greek god. You can make a high-protein low-sugar cheesecake without sacrificing the taste or creaminess. One ingredient may surprise you and that's tofu! Use tofu, cream cheese, and greek yogurt together for a dreamy dense texture.
3. Mud Pie Bites
Mud pie bites are easy to make without loads of sugar and butter. You can whip up these nostalgic treats with cocoa powder, unsweetened coconut flakes, coconut sugar and, oats. They’re no-bake blobs of rich and chewy delight. Best served cold from the fridge or freezer.
4. Flourless Chocolate Cake
Good news–– you don’t have to give up chocolate cake! There are numerous amounts of recipes on the web for scrumptious flour and sugar-free cakes. You won’t miss either traditional ingredients once you take a decadent bite of a rich chocolate slice.
5. Sweet Potato Truffles
Truffles are bite-sized treats from heaven. They melt in your mouth with a velvety texture. You can play around with flavors by using various ingredients but baked sweet potatoes will steal the show. Sweet potato adds a creamy and sweet element to truffles with a bonus nutrition boost.
6. Peanut Butter Cookie Balls
You can’t go wrong with no-bake peanut butter cookies. Crush your craving in no time with these simple classics. Add a touch of sweetness to these peanut butter delights with maple syrup and a dash of vanilla extract.
7. Date Snicker Bars
Homemade Snicker bars will take you to another level of chewy gooey goodness. What’s the sweet secret?–– dates! Dates have the perfect amount of sweetness and chew which transforms this chocolate bar into a healthy version of a classic candy.
8. Apple Crisp
You can stick to traditional family recipes with a little twist. An apple crisp is already full of nutrition with apples, oats, and cinnamon. Replace white and brown sugar with maple syrup or coconut sugar and swap out the white flour for whole wheat.
9. Peanut Butter Cups
Commercial peanut butter cups are full of preservatives and artificial flavors. A homemade version is not only better for your health but it requires minimal ingredients and tastes even better. With peanut butter sandwiched between two layers of dark chocolate, you’re in for a lip-smacking treat. Sweeten both the chocolate and the nut butter with a natural sweetener like coconut sugar or honey.
Heather Barnes on Unsplash10. Chocolate Pudding
The kids don’t have to know this pudding is good for them! Chocolate pudding or mousse can be made just as divine without the refined sugar. You can make it entirely plant-based and just as creamy with coconut milk, cocoa, and a natural sweetener of choice.
American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash
11. Brown Rice Squares
How do you make this nostalgic treat good for you? Replace the artificial marshmallows with brown rice syrup and nut butter to keep them sticky and delicious. Use a crispy brown rice cereal instead of the white stuff and they’ll still have that perfect combo of crunchy and chewy.
12. Caramel Slice
Dates, maple syrup and coconut oil make this gooey square sensational. The combination creates a smooth, rich, and irresistible caramel. Adding nuts to the crust adds bite and protein too.
13. Deluxe Oatmeal Cookies
Pack your oatmeal cookies with protein and nutrition! Play around with ingredients to add to any oatmeal cookie recipe and swap out the sugar for honey. Toss in nuts like walnuts or pecans or seeds like pumpkin or hemp for a protein-rich crunch.
14. Coconut Rice Pudding
Once you cook your rice in a simmering frothy broth of coconut milk you’ll never go back to water. Coconut makes your rice rich and creamy. You can add to the sweetness with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey and top it off with juicy mango slices or pineapple chunks.
15. Buckwheat Banana Pancakes
These pancakes will keep you full because they aren’t empty carbs like regular old flapjacks. Replace white flour with buckwheat for a fiber and protein-full alternative, add banana for texture and vitamins, and top with fruit and maple syrup for that sweet ending.
16. Fudgy Brownies
There are numerous mouth-watering recipes for fudgy chocolate brownies without the unhealthy ingredients. Sink your teeth into a warm soft brownie made from real chocolate, natural sweetener, and a surprise avocado. Avocado will add to the rich and creamy texture you long for.
17. Banana Bread
You’ll go bananas for this bread! There are so many healthy alternatives to a classic banana bread recipe you won’t miss the sugar. Play around with more nutritious flour like whole wheat or coconut and use extra ripe bananas for a perfect sweetness.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
18. Red Velvet Cupcakes
Try a natural version of this beloved cupcake flavor. Substitute the red food coloring for beet juice! Dates will sweeten them up without the need of sugar and you can make a frosting with natural sweetener and a protein-rich cream cheese. Try coconut yogurt for a creamy dairy-free option.
Giuliana Catachura on Unsplash
19. Pumpkin Scones
Pumpkin scones are royal baked treats. They’re light and fluffy with a buttery bite. They get a lot of their sweetness from the creamy pumpkin and you can swap the white flour for a better alternative. Use a dash of natural sugar if you must or top with a sugar-free berry jam for a touch more sweetness.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
20. Orange Sherbet
You won’t believe this tasty sherbet is bursting with vitamin C and protein. This frozen treat is made with real oranges, thick Greek or coconut yogurt, and vanilla protein powder. It’s an icy citrus dessert that will more than satisfy your ice cream cravings.
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