Dessert: It's something we're always jonesing for, but almost always feel guilty about. Not anymore. Thanks to these easy dessert recipes that forgo sugar in favor of natural sweeteners, you can indulge without the typical sugar crash.
Perfect before or after a workout, these superfood-packed treats from Dawn Jackson Blatner, registered dietitian and FITNESS advisory board member, use Medjool dates for a sweet bite. Make a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy a few—one has about 70 calories—each time you need a healthy dose of carbs to fuel your workouts, she says.
Makes 10 bites
In a food processor, puree dates, 1/4 cup grated carrot, coconut, nutmeg, and salt until smooth. Pulse in remaining 1/4 cup carrots and walnuts, leaving mixture somewhat chunky.
With your hands, form 10 balls and roll each into extra coconut. Add extra carrot on top, if desired. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Don't let avocado in a dessert surprise you—it adds a creamy richness to the mousse. Serve up this recipe from JJ Virgin, celebrity nutritionist and author of The Sugar Impact Diet, for your next girls' night in.
Makes 4 servings
Place 3/4 of the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each until just melted. Stir in the remaining chocolate until melted and smooth; cool 3 minutes.
Combine the avocado, coconut milk, and monk fruit extract in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on the highest setting until well combined; add the melted chocolate and beat in until the mixture is light and fluffy. Divide among 4 bowls and refrigerate at least 20 minutes.
Just before serving, sprinkle with cacao nibs.
Baking apples brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit. This recipe from Leanne Ely, certified nutritionist and author of Part-Time Paleo, adds raisins and honey for more complex texture. She recommends taking it a step further by drizzling cold coconut milk for a tasty hot-and-cold dessert your whole family will love, no sugar required.
Makes 1
Core a Fuji apple, stuff with raisins, cinnamon, and honey, as desired. Bake for about 20 minutes.
Forget dropping too much cash on a bag of trail mix. This homemade skillet granola from Blatner keeps your sugar count in check and is perfect atop a cup of Greek yogurt. Watch this video for a step-by-step tutorial.
Makes 3 1/2 cups
In a food processor, puree dates, water, oil, cinnamon and salt until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and stir date mixture with oats, nuts, and seeds.
In a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, cook the mixture about 12 minutes, stirring regularly, until toasted and golden. Let cool and keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
No, we haven't gone off the deep end combining sweet potatoes with chocolate. This recipe from celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, author of Cook Your Butt Off!, harnesses its natural sweetness, and the monk fruit gives it an extra sweet boost to send these truffles into "give me your secret now" territory.
Makes 2 truffles
Place the sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe plate, and microwave on high until the potatoes are just about tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from the microwave and add the vanilla extract, cocoa powder, monk fruit powder, stevia extract, and coconut oil. Stir well, season with salt, and place in the freezer to cool, about 4 minutes.
Place the coconut and erythritol in a shallow bowl.
Form the sweet potato mixture into 2 loosely packed equal-size balls, and roll them between your hands to tightly pack them. Place each ball in the erythritol and coconut mixture and press the mixture into the sweet potato center, covering the outside of each ball completely. If not serving immediately, keep chilled in an airtight container.
Craving a milkshake? Opt for this smoothie recipe from Blatner instead. It uses dates—instead of calorie-heavy ice cream—for the sweet factor you're after.
Serves: 1
In a blender, puree dates, milk, spinach, hemp seeds, and cocoa powder until smooth. Puree in ice for thicker consistency.
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