Craving Sweets? Try These Delicious Low-Sugar Desserts!

Excessive sugar intake is linked to health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, especially for older adults.

But every once in a while, we want to satisfy our sweet tooth as well.

Indulge in your favorite treats without cheating on your diet with these healthier, low-sugar dessert recipes, which you can enjoy guilt-free! These low-sugar desserts are for everyone looking to enjoy desserts without compromising health.

How Much Sugar is Low-Sugar?

Before we look into the recipes, we need to know how much sugar is low-sugar. Generally, a traditional dessert contains more than 30g of carbohydrates and more than 15g of sugar.

A low-carb, low-sugar dessert may vary based on personal goals. However, we consider less than 10g of carbohydrates and less than 5g of sugar is low. Anything between 10-20g carbohydrates and 5-10g sugar is moderately low. We recommend reducing the serving size if there’s a slightly higher carbohydrate or sugar content in any dessert.

1. Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Avocados are a powerhouse of nutrients, rich in healthy fats, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. In addition to the nutritional benefits, avocados have a rich, creamy texture and minimal flavor – making them a perfect base for many desserts! This eggless and vegan chocolate avocado mousse is so delicious and satisfying that you’ll want to make it repeatedly. This chocolate avocado mousse is a healthy option, offering delicious chocolate flavor without a high sugar content.

Here’s the complete recipe, adapted from this recipe.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• ½ tsp stevia or 24 drops liquid monk fruit
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional toppings: chopped nuts (cashews, pistachios, almonds) and berries

Instructions:

1. Melt the Chocolate Mixture:

• Boil 1 to 1.5 cups of water in a saucepan over medium heat; once boiled, lower the heat.
• Create a double boiler, and place a skillet on top of the saucepan. Make sure it doesn’t touch the water.
• Add chopped chocolate, coconut oil, instant coffee, and a sugar alternative to the skillet.
• Stir continuously until the chocolate melts into a smooth, creamy texture.
• Turn off the stove and set the mixture aside to cool to room temperature.
• You may also melt the ingredients in a microwave. Make sure to stir every 30 seconds.

2. Prepare the Avocado: Scoop the flesh of a ripe avocado and put it in a blender. Make sure the avocado isn’t cool. This is to prevent the chocolate from hardening.

3. Blend the Mousse: Add some vanilla extract and the melted chocolate mixture to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

4. Chill and Serve:

• Spoon the mousse into serving bowls or glasses.
• Cover with a lid or foil and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Top it with chopped nuts and berries if you like.

Next Article: Brain-Boosting Avocado & Berry Smoothie: Fuel Your Mind

2. Berry Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are rich in nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, iron, and calcium. They help improve heart health and digestion and provide a good amount of energy. With the added benefit of antioxidant-rich berries, this berry chia pudding is a healthy treat, made low sugar with alternative sweeteners.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups blackberries, raspberries, diced mango
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• ¼ cup chia seeds
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup granola

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Base: Blend 1¼ cups fruit and the almond milk until smooth, then pour the mixture into a medium bowl.
2. Mix the Pudding: Add chia seeds and vanilla extract to this fruit mixture and stir. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 8 hours or up to 3 days. This allows the chia seeds to expand into a thick, creamy consistency.
3. Garnish and Serve: Divide the pudding into two bowls. Layer each with ¼ cup of the remaining fruit, ¼ cup of Greek yogurt, and two tablespoons of granola before serving. You may also refrigerate it for later.

3. Greek Yogurt Parfait

Greek yogurt is nutritious and rich in protein, essential for muscle repair and keeping one feeling full longer. The probiotic content in yogurt aids digestion and boosts gut health, improving immunity.

This low-sugar Greek yogurt parfait is easy to make and will satisfy your sweet tooth. It can be customized to suit your preferences – choose your favorite fruits to add a natural sweetness to this healthy dessert.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
• Stevia or monk fruit, as needed
• ¼ cup berries (sliced strawberries, blueberries, etc.)
• ¼ cup low-sugar granola

Instructions:

1. Sweeten the Yogurt: Mix Greek yogurt with sugar alternatives as desired in a small bowl. This is an optional step; you may skip it if you’re looking for a dessert with no added sugars.
2. Layer the Parfait: Spoon half the yogurt in a mason jar or a bowl and top it with half of the berries and half of the granola. Top this layer with the remaining yogurt, berries, and granola.
3. Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately or refrigerate it for later.

Customization Ideas: Try experimenting by adding different fruits or nuts, but remember not to add too much. Add a handful of nuts or seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, or flaxseeds. You can also add a tablespoon of natural peanut or almond butter.

Mix in a scoop of whey or plant-based protein powder to further boost the protein content. Superfoods like chia seeds or hemp seeds can further improve the nutritional value. Switch up the fruit by adding fresh or frozen mango, kiwi, or peaches.

Next Read: Savory Heart-Healthy Salmon Salad: A Nutritious Omega-3 Boost

4. Coconut Macaroons

Coconut macaroons have a chewy interior and golden crispy exterior, perfect for coconut lovers, with or without chocolate.

These coconut macaroons are undoubtedly delicious but a healthier choice as there is minimal sugar compared to traditional cookies. These are rich in fiber content, which supports digestion and provides medium-chain triglycerides for energy. They are also gluten-free and are suitable for dietary restrictions. Antioxidants in coconut promote the fight against free radicals, preventing early aging and cancers. With so many nutritional benefits, this low-sugar coconut dessert is a delight.

Ingredients:

• 1 large egg white, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup (48g) granulated monk fruit sweetener
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) water, room temperature (omit if using granulated sugar)
• 1 cup (80g) shredded unsweetened coconut
• Dark chocolate, for dipping (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white until it turns frothy. Add in the vanilla extract and salt, whisking until combined.

Combine Sweetener and Water: Thoroughly stir in the monk fruit sweetener and water until fully mixed. The monk fruit sweetener should sweeten cup-for-cup like granulated sugar. If using granulated sugar, you may skip the water. Avoid using liquid sweeteners like honey or pure maple syrup, as they add too much moisture.

Add Coconut: Stir in the shredded unsweetened coconut until thoroughly and evenly coated with the egg white mixture.

Shape the Macaroons: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, drop rounded mounds of the coconut mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. After forming all the cookies, dip your fingers in water to prevent the coconut mixture from sticking and gently reshape each mound into a more evenly rounded hemisphere.

Bake: Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 21-26 minutes, or until the outsides are firm and the coconut is golden and toasted as preferred. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Dipping: Once the macaroons have fully cooled, dip the bottoms in melted dark chocolate or drizzle the tops with melted chocolate. To melt the chocolate, use dark chocolate bars. This is an optional step.

Storage: Store macarons in an airtight container. They will last at least five days at room temperature or eight days in the refrigerator.

Next Read: 5 Easy To Make Smoothies For Weight Loss

5. Almond Flour Brownies

Almond flour brownies made with minimal sugar are another healthy dessert choice. Almond flour, derived from finely ground blanched almonds, is a rich source of protein and fiber.

These brownies are perfect if you wish to reduce carbs or follow a gluten-free diet. With just 3 grams of net carbs per serving, it becomes a low-sugar dessert when we use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons soft butter
• 6 tablespoons classic Monk Fruit Sweetener
• 2 eggs
• 5 tablespoons whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1¼ cups almond flour
• 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ cup slivered almonds, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup sugar-free chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9 x 9” baking pan with non-stick spray.
2. Prepare Almonds and Chocolate Chips: Coarsely chop the slivered almonds and measure out ¾ cup. Measure ½ cup sugar-free chocolate chips.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Beat the softened butter (or coconut oil), sweetener, eggs, milk (or almond milk), and vanilla.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: Take a smaller bowl and mix the almond flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the liquid ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
6. Add Almonds and Chocolate Chips: Stir in ½ cup slivered almonds and the chocolate chips.
7. Transfer to Baking Dish: Put the batter into the baking dish and top with the remaining 1/4 cup chopped slivered almonds.
8. Bake: Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the brownies are firm.
9. Cool and Serve: Allow brownies to cool slightly before cutting them to serve.
10. Store Leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge, if they last!

6. Baked Apples with Cinnamon

Baked apples with cinnamon is an easy low-sugar apple dessert with the natural sweetness of apples and the health benefits of cinnamon.

Apples are naturally sweet and rich in fiber. They support digestion and keep the sugar levels under control. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve insulin sensitivity to maintain your pancreas health and prevent diabetes.

Here’s how to prepare this simple yet healthy recipe, adapted from the Minimalist Baker.

Ingredients:

• 6-7 apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons fresh apple juice or water
• 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F or 176°C and prepare a baking dish. Peel, wash and slice the apples thinly.
2. Mix Ingredients: Place the sliced apples in your baking dish, add lemon juice, coconut oil, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cornstarch, apple juice or water, and a pinch of salt. Toss everything together so that all the apple slices are well-coated.
3. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until the apples are tender.
4. Serve: Enjoy these baked apples as they are, or serve with some Greek yogurt, or sprinkle a few crushed nuts over them.

7. Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

This delightful treat combines matcha with ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth. Matcha green tea, known for its immense health benefits, is made from finely ground green tea leaves and is rich in antioxidants. It boosts energy instantly due to its caffeine content, and theanine in this tea promotes relaxation. Heavy whipping cream is calorie and fat-rich.

This matcha green tea ice cream is sweetened with monk fruit and is a low-sugar dessert with numerous health benefits. Matcha is rich in high antioxidant content, which protects the body against damage from free radicals, and its catechins support metabolism. Natural sweeteners help keep the sugar content low. This low-sugar ice cream is a perfect dessert for any health-conscious person.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 4 drops liquid monk fruit sweetener
• 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Prepare Matcha: Whisk matcha powder with a few tablespoons of milk in a bowl and ensure there are no lumps. Gradually add the remaining milk while whisking and transfer this to a pot.
2. Mixing: Add heavy cream to the pot and cook over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk the sweetener and eggs together. Pour ½ cup of the matcha mixture into the egg mixture. Repeat with the remaining matcha mixture. Pour this entire mixture back into the pot.
3. Cook: Cook and stir the mixture over medium-low heat for about 3 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and set it aside to cool to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Refrigerate until chilled, or at least 4 hours.
4. Churn: Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze for about 20 minutes. Transfer it to an airtight container and freeze again for 4 hours.
5. Serve: Serve the ice cream as is, or with a sprinkle of sliced nuts.

Conclusion

These low-sugar recipes will help control your blood sugar levels, aid in weight management, and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes. These healthy dessert recipes offer a delicious alternative to traditional high-sugar desserts.

From the protein-packed almond flour brownies to the antioxidant-rich matcha green tea ice cream, these desserts prove that healthy eating can never be boring and in fact, be quite satisfying.