Try out one of these healthy desserts for your next sweet treat.
While traditional desserts may be rich, sweet, or decadent, you might consider branching out and trying something new. Offering a healthy, refreshing dessert to your guests (or for yourself!) can be a fun way to mix things up and incorporate new flavors or ideas into your recipe book. We’ve gathered a few different healthy dessert recipes for you to try. Let’s get started.
Fruit Desserts
Fruit is a summer staple, but you can easily incorporate fruit year-round into your desserts. Strawberries are a classic choice when selecting a healthy dessert. Try these strawberry oatmeal bars or gluten-free strawberry shortcake recipe for a new twist on an old favorite. You can even make a lighter version of a strawberry cobbler that is sure to be a favorite. Consider pairing these options with a low-fat or coconut ice cream for a cool treat.
Strawberry is certainly not the only option. Try blending seasonal fruits together in a no-bake fruit tart, which is packed with protein by using Greek yogurt and naturally sweetened with honey. For more fall flavors with less sugar, try a healthy apple pie recipe, cherry pie, blueberry pie, or pumpkin pie. Test a few different recipes that use various ingredients, like almond flour, whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and more, to see which version is your preferred style. You’ll note different flavor and texture profiles depending on your choices, but you’ll get a sneaky extra boost of fiber and nutrients from mixing it up.
Finally, a fantastic way to incorporate summer fruits and natural sweetness is by making sorbet. It’s a satisfying dessert that is fruit-based, so you’ll reap the benefits of a boost of nutrients. This mango sorbet is beautiful and easy to make, and this lemon sorbet is sure to be a favorite. For grandkids, consider making ice pops, like this easy strawberry banana popsicle.
Hidden Veggies
What can be better than a rich, delicious chocolate brownie? One that has zucchini in it! These brownies are incredibly moist and rich and will become a favorite in your home. If you’re a fan of carrot cake, try this healthy version for an extra nutrient boost. For something to really push you and your guests outside of the comfort zone, try this gorgeous apple and kale cake; the color is natural and unexpected, and you can even have your friends or family try to guess the ingredients. If you’re trying to sneak some extra veggies in, try this hidden veggie cookie recipe. And, if you’re excited about unique flavor combinations, give this vanilla and spinach cake a try, too. Have some butternut squash laying around? Try this chocolate chip and pecan bread that contains butternut squash for a cake-like dish.
No-Bake Options
Dessert doesn’t have to be complex or intricate to be refreshing and healthy. Consider a small scoop of Greek yogurt with your favorite fruits and a drizzle of honey for a super easy, tasty treat.
You can also create a small cheese platter for you or your guests for a European feel. Create your board with low-fat cheese like Swiss, Gouda, and cheddar. You can pair this with nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pistachios, which have essential fats, protein, and nutrients.
Dessert can be a fun way to conclude the meal, but it does not need to be overly rich and can be delicious without much added sugar. These healthy and refreshing dessert recipes can be a great start for you to play around with adding fruits or veggies to a recipe, and substituting flours or grains for extra health boosts. For additional resources, visit the CapTel blog.
