5 Sugar-Free Desserts Even a Sweet Tooth Will Love
These delicious treats are just the thing for when you're craving something sugary—but there's not a speck of the refined, white stuff in sight.
By Lynn Andriani
The Slushie That Brings You Back
Memories of ice slushies may be sweet, but the truth is, those nostalgic coolers are loaded with sugar. Not so with these treats from Christine Chitnis' new
Icy Creamy Healthy Sweet: Here, they're a combination of plump, sweet blueberries; a few spoons of honey; plus, freshly squeezed lemon juice. You don't even need an ice-shaving machine, since Chitnis says you can make the slushies with a standard blender, too.
Get the recipe: Blueberry-Lemonade Snow Cones
The Energy Jolt Without the Sugar Crash
By stashing a few of these addictive bars in your bag, you'll never have to face a vending machine full of off-the-charts sweet snacks again. Sesame seeds, dried cherries and walnuts make for a perfect sweet-savory mix, and they stay bound together with coconut butter and either agave nectar or dark honey (which has a richer flavor than light).
Get the recipe: Sesame Fruit-and-Nut Bars
Photo: Sarah Ashley Schiear
The Luxurious (and Insanely Easy) Spoonable Treat
If you like rice or tapioca pudding, we can pretty much guarantee you will love this lighter cousin: It uses fiber-rich chia seeds to turn almond milk into a thick and rich custard. You simply mix the two together with a couple of flavorings (vanilla, maple syrup and the like) and let them sit for two hours (or overnight), stirring occasionally. The addition of maple syrup, cinnamon, diced persimmons and pomegranate seeds gives the dessert a vibrant color and flavor.
Get the recipe: Chia-Seed Pudding with Persimmons and Pomegranate
The No-Bake Brownie
The virtuous ingredient list—which includes honey, coconut oil, almond butter, almonds, walnuts, dark chocolate, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, as well as goji berries and oats—is one reason to love these brownie-like bars. The other reason: There's no oven required.
Get the recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Almond Bars
The Holiday Indulgence We'd Gladly Enjoy Whenever
This healthy take on fruitcake is just as flavorful as the traditional version, despite its lack of butter, sugar and rum (a common ingredient in the classic). The recipe calls for dried cherries, raisins, apricots, figs and dates, but you can use any fruits you like. It also includes brewed tea and orange zest, which add bright notes.
Get the recipe: Fruity Spiced Tea Cake
Published 05/04/2016
