12 Low Sugar Desserts That Still Feel Like a Real Treat
Do you ever finish dinner and feel that little voice asking for something sweet? You are not alone. The good news is you do not have to choose between dessert and feeling good. These low sugar desserts lean on fruit, spices, nuts and dark chocolate to bring big flavor with far less added sugar. They are simple, satisfying and honestly delicious. Which one will you try tonight..
Fresh Berry Almond Tart
This berry tart looks like it came from a French bakery, yet it is one of the easiest low sugar desserts you can make. A nutty almond crust holds a creamy yogurt filling, and fresh berries bring all the natural sweetness. It is bright, pretty and feels like a celebration. Would you make this for a party or keep it all to yourself?
You will need: 1 1/2 cups almond flour, 3 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, pinch of salt, 1 cup thick Greek yogurt, 4 ounces cream cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 cups mixed berries.
How to make it: Mix the almond flour, butter, maple syrup and salt, and press into a small tart pan. Bake at 350F for 12 minutes and cool completely. Beat the yogurt, cream cheese, vanilla and lemon zest until smooth. Spread it into the crust, top with berries, and chill 1 hour before slicing.
Chia Seed Pudding, Easiest of Low Sugar Desserts
Chia pudding is one of the easiest low sugar desserts you can make, and it feels like a little treat in a jar. Tiny chia seeds soak up milk overnight and turn thick and creamy, almost like tapioca. A spoon of berries on top adds natural sweetness. Quick poll: chia pudding for dessert (A), for breakfast (B), or both (C)?
You will need: 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1 cup milk or almond milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon maple syrup or a few drops of stevia, pinch of cinnamon, 1/2 cup fresh berries.
How to make it: Stir the chia seeds, milk, vanilla, sweetener and cinnamon together in a jar. Wait 5 minutes and stir again so there are no clumps. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Stir once more, then top with fresh berries before serving.
Cinnamon Spiced Poached Pears
Poached pears look elegant enough for a dinner party, but they are simple and naturally sweet. The pears gently simmer in spiced water with cinnamon, vanilla and orange until they turn soft and fragrant. Serve them warm with a spoon of yogurt. Have you ever cooked pears this way? They taste like a hug in a bowl.
You will need: 4 firm pears, 4 cups water, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 whole cloves, 1 strip orange peel, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon honey, Greek yogurt for serving.
How to make it: Peel the pears, leaving the stems on. Bring the water, cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, vanilla and honey to a simmer. Add the pears and simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, turning them now and then, until tender. Serve warm with a little of the liquid and yogurt.
Almond Flour Cookies for Low Sugar Desserts Lovers
Craving a warm cookie? These almond flour cookies are soft, chewy and nutty, with much less sugar than a classic recipe. A handful of dark chocolate chips makes them feel totally indulgent. They take just 20 minutes from bowl to plate. Can you believe these are low sugar? Most people cannot tell the difference.
You will need: 2 cups almond flour, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or butter, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, pinch of salt, 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips.
How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F. Mix the almond flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in the oil, maple syrup, egg and vanilla. Fold in the chocolate chips. Scoop small balls onto a lined pan and flatten them a little. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden at the edges.
Dark Chocolate Mousse, Low Sugar Desserts at Their Richest
This dark chocolate mousse is rich, airy and deeply chocolatey, yet it uses only a little sweetener. Dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate and a bold flavor, so a small cup feels very satisfying. Top it with a raspberry or two. Quick poll: are you a dark chocolate lover (A), milk chocolate fan (B), or white chocolate rebel (C)?
You will need: 4 ounces 70 percent dark chocolate, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 eggs separated, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pinch of salt, raspberries for topping.
How to make it: Melt the chocolate gently and let it cool a little. Stir in the yolks, vanilla and salt. Whip the cream to soft peaks. Whisk the egg whites with the maple syrup until stiff. Fold the cream into the chocolate, then fold in the whites. Spoon into cups and chill 2 hours.
Mixed Berry Cups With Whipped Yogurt
Sometimes the best low sugar desserts are the simplest. Ripe berries are naturally sweet, juicy and full of color, and they need very little help to shine. Layer them with a cloud of whipped yogurt and a sprinkle of nuts for a dessert that feels light and fancy. Which berry would you grab first?
You will need: 3 cups mixed berries, 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios or almonds, fresh mint.
How to make it: Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Fold in the yogurt, vanilla and honey. Spoon a layer of berries into small cups, add some whipped yogurt, then more berries. Top with chopped nuts and a mint leaf. Serve right away or chill for up to 2 hours.
Dark Chocolate Nut Bark
Dark chocolate bark is the perfect treat to keep in the freezer for those late night sweet cravings. Melted dark chocolate is spread thin and topped with crunchy nuts, seeds and a few dried cherries. One or two pieces feel just right. Do you keep a secret chocolate stash somewhere in your kitchen? We will not tell.
You will need: 8 ounces 70 percent or higher dark chocolate, 1/3 cup almonds, 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes, 2 tablespoons dried cherries, flaky sea salt.
How to make it: Line a small tray with parchment. Melt the chocolate gently in short bursts in the microwave, stirring often. Spread it about 1/4 inch thick. Scatter the almonds, seeds, coconut and cherries on top, then sprinkle with sea salt. Chill 30 minutes and break into pieces.
Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Chocolate dipped strawberries feel like a special occasion, but they are one of the smartest low sugar desserts around. Juicy strawberries bring the sweetness, and a thin coat of dark chocolate brings the indulgence. They take 15 minutes and always disappear fast. Quick poll: would you share these (A) or hide them in the fridge (B)?
You will need: 1 pound fresh strawberries, 4 ounces dark chocolate, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1 ounce white chocolate for drizzle (optional).
How to make it: Wash the strawberries and dry them completely. Melt the dark chocolate with the coconut oil until smooth. Hold each berry by the stem and dip it in the chocolate, letting the extra drip off. Place on parchment, drizzle with a little white chocolate if you like, and chill 20 minutes.
Cinnamon Baked Apples With Walnuts
Baked apples make the whole kitchen smell like apple pie, without the crust or the heavy sugar. The apples turn soft and jammy in the oven, filled with oats, walnuts and warm cinnamon. A dollop of yogurt on top is the perfect finish. Have you ever had a baked apple? It is fall in a bowl.
You will need: 4 apples, 1/3 cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg, 1/2 cup water, Greek yogurt for serving.
How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F. Core the apples, leaving the bottom intact. Mix the oats, walnuts, butter, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stuff the apples with the mixture. Place in a baking dish with the water. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until tender. Serve warm with yogurt.
Frozen Berry Yogurt, Low Sugar Desserts in Five Minutes
Want ice cream without all the sugar? This frozen berry yogurt is creamy, tangy and ready in just five minutes. Frozen berries and Greek yogurt blend into a thick soft serve that tastes like a summer treat. It is also packed with protein. Quick poll: would you eat this in a bowl (A), a cone (B), or straight from the blender (C)?
You will need: 2 cups frozen mixed berries, 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey or a few drops of stevia, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, fresh berries for topping.
How to make it: Add the frozen berries, yogurt, sweetener and lemon juice to a food processor. Blend for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the sides, until thick and creamy like soft serve. Scoop into bowls and top with fresh berries. For a firmer scoop, freeze for 30 minutes.
Layered Berry Yogurt Parfait
A parfait is proof that dessert can be pretty, crunchy and creamy all at once. Layers of thick yogurt, fresh fruit and a little nutty granola make each spoonful a new surprise. Use plain yogurt and let the fruit do the sweetening. Do you like to dig straight to the bottom or eat it layer by layer?
You will need: 2 cups plain Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup mixed berries, 1 kiwi, 1/2 cup low sugar granola, 1 tablespoon chopped nuts.
How to make it: Stir the vanilla into the yogurt. Slice the kiwi. In clear glasses, layer yogurt, berries and kiwi, then a sprinkle of granola. Repeat the layers. Finish with a few nuts and fruit on top. Serve right away so the granola stays crunchy.
Banana Nice Cream, the Magic of Low Sugar Desserts
Nice cream is the magic trick of low sugar desserts. Frozen bananas blend into a smooth, creamy scoop that tastes just like soft serve, with no added sugar at all. Add berries for color and a little crunch on top. Hungry for more? See our healthy desserts that taste way too good. Which of these low sugar desserts are you making first? Tell us in the comments!
You will need: 3 ripe bananas sliced and frozen, 1 cup frozen blueberries or mixed berries, 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, toppings like granola, coconut or sliced banana.
How to make it: Let the frozen fruit sit for 5 minutes. Add it to a food processor with a splash of milk. Blend, scraping down the sides, until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes. Scoop into bowls and add your favorite toppings. Eat right away or freeze for a firmer texture.
