So we’ve decided to cut down (or cut out) sugar in our diet, and we’ve learned about some wonderful sugar substitutes that can satisfy the sweet tooth in a non-destructive way.
What’s next? Transforming our sugar substitutes to soaring heights of culinary fabulousness, of course.
Here are 9 sugar-free desert ideas that are even tastier than the real thing.
One disclaimer, even though these are healthier sweets, I find that it’s best to eat them in moderation. The good thing is that unlike refined, white sugar, I can eat these occasionally without strong cravings for more but I need to keep in check for nutritional balance.
Yogurt nut swirl
Create a creamy sweet sensation with raw, whole yogurt mixed with honey, cinnamon, and almonds.
- Put 1 ½ cup raw whole yogurt
- Mix in 1 TB of raw honey with 2 tsps. of cinnamon
- Top with ¼ c. of crushed almonds
Raw cheesecake
Make a lovely cheesecake using all raw ingredients for easier digestion…raw cream cheese, kefir, eggs, and honey. For a delicious, flour-free crust, put almonds and dates in a food processor and voilà! The result is a nutty and sweet crust that has a nice crunch!
- 1 cups almonds (soaked and dehydrated)
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 4 cups raw cream cheese
- 4 pastured eggs
- 1 ¼ c. raw whole milk or kefir
- 2 TB gelatin
- ½ cup raw honey or ½ tsp. stevia
- 1 TB vanilla
- Pinch of sea salt
In food processor, mix 1 c. dates and 1 c. almonds until they become sticky. Press into a buttered springform pan and set aside. Put egg yolks and milk/kefir in a sauce pan, beat lightly and sprinkle with gelatin, warming the mixture slightly until gelatin is dissolved. In food processor, combine cream cheese, honey, vanilla and process till smooth; add in egg yolk mixture. Put into bowl and place in refrigerator. Meanwhile, beat egg white with a pinch of salt until still, fold into cream-cheese mixture and pour into crust. Chill for a couple hours before eating… taste good frozen too! You can serve with fresh fruit or fruit compote but it doesn’t need it. Serves 10-12.
The Dreamsicle
Prepare yourself for taste of frozen heaven
- 2 cups of frozen papaya
- 1 cup of raw yogurt or coconut milk
- Touch of stevia
- 1 raw egg yolk (optional)
Put in a blender (it takes patience to blend it all up but it’s worth it) and serve it thick with a spoon. Recipe serves one.
Healthy Ice Cream, Sherbets, and Sorbets
Yep, you read that correctly. All you need is raw cream, pastured eggs, fresh fruits, and a bit of honey or stevia. Oh, and an ice cream maker too. Play with different flavor combinations like kiwi berry sherbet or vanilla nutmeg ice cream.
Raw Ice Cream
- 4 pastured egg yolks
- 4 cups of raw cream
- ½ c. honey
- 1 TB vanilla
- ½ TB of grated nutmeg
Put all ingredients except egg yolks in a large bowl and set aside. Crack egg yolks into a bowl and beat till liquefied. Add mixture to remaining ingredients and stir till smooth and uniform. Put into an ice cream maker and follow instructions.
Of course, you can omit the vanilla and spices and add fresh berries, shredded coconut, lemon rind and juice, etc. Delicious and nutritious! Recipe serves 4-6.
Raw Sherbet
- 2 cups raw kefir
- 1 cup frozen berries, mango, papaya, or any delicious fruit
- 1 raw egg yolk
- Honey or stevia to taste
Process all ingredients together in food processor. Then pour mixture into an ice cream maker. Enjoy with raw whipped cream on top! YUM! Recipe serves four.
Raw Sorbet
- 3 cups of frozen fruit
- ½ cup honey
- Juice of one lemon, lime or orange
Place all ingredients in food processor and blend. Pour into ice cream maker and follow instructions. Serve and enjoy! Recipe serves 4.
Lemonade
One of my standards, especially in the summer, is freshly squeezed lemonade.
- Juice 2-3 lemons
- 1 quart of filtered water
- Touch of stevia
Egg Nog
Another traditional no-no that you can transform into a yes-yes.Yes!
- 1 raw egg yolk
- ½ cup raw cream
- ½ cup raw milk
- 1 TB honey
- ½ tsp. nutmeg
Put all ingredients into blender and mix. Serve room temperature. Recipe is for one.
Almond cookies
These are nummy cookies that are more like biscottis since they aren’t too sweet and have a nutty goodness.
- 1 ½ cup almonds (soaked and dehydrated)
- ½ cup butter or coconut oil
- 1 cup arrowroot (keeps recipe gluten free)
- ½ cup honey
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- Grated rind of 1 large lemon
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 18 whole almonds
Process almonds in a food processor until it turns into a fine meal. Add remaining ingredients except the 18 almonds. Form blended mixture into half dollar sized dollops and place on cookie sheet. Press 1 whole almond into each cookie. Bake at 300 degrees for 5 minutes and then press cookies down with fork. Cook for another additional 20 minutes. Let cool completely and serve. Recipe serves 8-10.
Coconut Mousse Pie
This is a fancy raw recipe that would be great for special occasions. All of the coconuts make this exotic and nutritious.
- 1 cup almonds (soaked & dehydrated)
- 1 cup dehydrated coconut
- 1-2 TB coconut oil
- butter
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. coconut flavoring
- 6 egg whites at room temperature
- pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup raw cream
- 1 cup fresh coconut or 1 cup dehydrated coconut, finely shredded
Mix almonds, 1 cup dehydrated coconut, and 1 TB of coconut oil in food processor and process till sticky. Press down mixture into a buttered standard springfoam pan and set aside. Place egg yolks, honey and extracts in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Whisk constantly for about 10 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and chill in the refrigerator for about ½ hour. Beat cream until stiff. In a separate clean bowl, beat egg whites with sea salt until stiff. Stir coconut into egg yolk mixture and fold into cream. Gently fold this mixture into the egg whites. Pour into pan and chill well.
The possibilities are endless! As you start playing with different flavors, you’ll be guided to make your own favorites. Let me know how it goes…
Any other recipe ideas? Share them with us!
Many recipes taken and/or adapted from Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats
This is part six in a seven-part series.
This is a blog about triumph.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I can personally attest that the raw cheesecake is sensational
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Thanks honey!
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