Three No-Bake Healthy Dessert Recipes
Gone are the days of dessert being taboo for weight-watchers and health nuts. With these easy desserts, we can all enjoy the wonders of a sweet ending to a meal or a craving-satisfying snack in the middle of the day without having to worry about them ending up around our waist and straight to our thighs. The best part is you don’t need an oven to make them.
Choco Salted “Caramels”
Put away that candy thermometer. There’s no need for finicky sugar-melting here. Easy and at 60 GOOD calories per piece, this is a sure win.
You’ll need:
1 ½ cups of sunflower seeds, dry roasted; unsalted
2 cups of pitted dates, about 16 to 18 pieces
¼ teaspoon of sea or kosher salt
¾ cup of bittersweet chocolate chips
A bit more salt to sprinkle
Directions:
- Blend the sunflower seeds, dates, and salt in a food processor until smooth and a firm dough ball is formed.
- Move to an 8x8 inch pan, and press down to spread the mixture evenly over the entire bottom of the pan.
- Sunflower seeds are oily. Blot down any excess grease from the surface with a paper towel or two.
- Freeze for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Turn off heat when completely melted but keep over the hot water to prevent it from firming up.
- Loosen the now chilled “caramel” with a knife along the edges and turn over onto a clean flat surface. Cut into equal squares; seven by seven squares is recommended.
- Dab and lightly spread the melted chocolate over each square then sprinkle with a bit of salt.
- Chill for another 20 minutes and enjoy.
Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwich
Chill out with this undoubtedly healthier take on a usually cholesterol and sugar-heavy frozen treat. It just takes three easy-to-find ingredients!
You’ll need:
2 ripe bananas, a bit over-ripe is good, too
2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
12 rectangles or 24 squares of graham crackers
Directions:
- Mash the peeled bananas and peanut butter in a bowl until creamy. Chill for about 20 minutes to firm up.
- Line the 12 cracker squares on a pan and spread the chilled filling over. Leave a bit of margin for when the top crackers are pressed on.
- Top with the remaining 12 crackers.
- Stack three on top of each other and wrap in foil.
- Freeze for 5 to 6 hours before eating.
Try to use organic and sugar-free peanut butter and graham crackers. There’s 92 calories per sandwich and they are all good for you!
Buffed Out Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Another ice cream alternative but this taken to the next level with what desserts often fall short, a good hit of protein.
You’ll need:
4 bananas, sliced and frozen
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
1/8 teaspoon mint extract
2 tablespoons quality cocoa powder
2 scoops protein powder, chocolate flavored, if available
¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
Directions:
- Blend everything except the chocolate chips in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. If your machine is having a hard time with the frozen bananas, add more almond milk two teaspoons at a time.
- Check for protein powder lumps then place in a wide pan.
- Chill for about an hour.
- Take out of the freezer. The mixture should still be a bit loose. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Freeze for another hour before consuming. Top with more chips if desired.
A serving size is about a ¾ cup and has around 320 calories. Still a bit hefty calorie-wise but remember, there’s protein powder in this. Great for post-workout snacking!
Still feeling guilty for partaking? Flush away all of that with Thin Tea’s detox and fat burn blends. Formulated to work best with a balanced diet even if it involves a bit of sweet treats here and there.
