Who says dessert recipes have to involve cups of granulated sugar—or maple syrup, or honey? The truth is, you can whip up mouthwatering treats that involve no added sugar whatsoever. The three simple recipes below all rely on the natural sweetness of fruit. And because fruit comes bundled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, these are all desserts you can feel good about. I developed them for dessert-loving clients who are trying to kick a sugar habit. Each of my recipes combines dates or cherries with spices like cinnamon and ginger, and other nourishing superfood ingredients. Your sweet tooth will thank you.
Place all ingredients except berries in food processor and blend until smooth. Spoon pudding into serving cups, top with berries, and garnish with mint.
In a small bowl combine almond butter, oats, and cinnamon to form a crumble. Set aside. In a small pan over low heat, sauté cherries with lemon juice, water, and ginger until warmed through and bubbly. Transfer cherries to a bowl, top with crumble, and garnish with sliced almonds.
In a small food processor combine cashew butter, soaked dates, coconut oil, and vanilla, and blend until smooth. In a small bowl combine almond flour, chia seeds, and cinnamon. Fold cashew mixture into almond flour mixture to form a thick “batter.” Refrigerate batter for 10 minutes. Pinch off 8 pieces of batter, and pat into round balls. Roll each ball in shredded coconut. Place balls on a plate covered with wax paper and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes. Keep leftover bites refrigerated.
Cynthia Sass is Health’s contributing nutrition editor, a New York Times best-selling author, and a consultant for the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets.
Source: Health.