Sugar Free Desserts, Cakes, Squares and More

Here are some delicious, sugar free desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth, without any added white sugar or other harmful artificial sweeteners. If you or someone in your family has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, here are a few healthy dessert recipes for you to enjoy.

Best Ever Snackin' Date Cake

Remember the packaged cake mixes that you could mix right in the pan? Well here is something almost as simple, except that it is a much healthier version. Your family will never know that this moist cake is made without any sugar at all. 

1 cup water
1/4 cup sunflower oil
1 banana (squished with a fork)
1 egg slightly beaten
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup dates

Place the dates and water in a small pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, simmer and stir with a wooden spoon, until thick and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool. If not smooth, purée in a blender, then transfer to a bowl.

Mix in the oil, banana, egg and vanilla.

For a vegan version you can omit the egg. The cake will be a little more dense.

Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, add the date mixture and mix gently with a fork.

Pour into a lightly oiled 8”x8” square pan and cook at 350º for 25 to 30 minutes.

Sugar Free Fruit Squares

1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped figs
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped apricots
1/3 cup first cold-pressed sunflower oil
3/4 cup ripe banana purée

Mix all ingredients in this order.
Press into an oiled 8x8 inch pan.
Cook at 350 F for 20 minutes.
Cut while still warm.

Healthy Jello

Have you ever read the ingredients on a box of jello? A little scary! It is easy to make sugar free homemade jello.

2 cups fruit juice
1/2 cup or more fruit
1 tbsp agar agar flakes or 1 1/2 tsp agar agar powder

Heat the juice in a saucepan, do not boil. Add in the agar agar flakes and stir over low heat for 5 minutes. Pour 1/2 into a bowl, add the fruit and pour the rest over the top. Cover and chill in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours.

Agar agar is a sea vegetable derived from red seaweed. You can find it at your health food store. It is rich in iodine and trace minerals.

Avoid the following fruits - kiwi, pineapple, papaya, mango and peaches - as they contain enzymes which break down the gelling ability.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

If you want to take something a little similar to the last dessert and transform it into something totally decadent, here’s a dessert that looks just like expensive, store bought truffles. It’s bound to impress everyone! This is from www.ohsheglows.com  

For mess-free finger food, place the balls in mini cupcake liners.  

1 cup 100% natural peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

3 ½ to 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup, to taste

2-3 tablespoons coconut flour

¼ teaspoon fine grain sea salt, to taste

6 tablespoons gluten-free rice crisp cereal

3/4  cup dark chocolate chips

1/2 tablespoon coconut oil    

Stir the jar of peanut butter well before using. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter and maple syrup, stirring vigorously for 30-60 seconds, until it thickens up. It will go from runny to thick during this time.

Stir in the coconut flour until combined (if your PB is dry, you might be able to skip this step or only use half). We're looking for a texture that isn't too sticky, but not too dry either. Let it sit for a couple minutes to firm up as the coconut flour will continue to absorb moisture with time. Add a touch more coconut flour if necessary. Or if it's too dry, add a touch more syrup.

Add salt to taste and stir in the cereal.

Shape into small balls.

In a small pot, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and heat over low heat, stirring frequently. Once half the chips have melted, remove from heat and stir until completely smooth.  

With a fork, dip the balls into the melted chocolate. Tap off excess chocolate on the side of the pot and place the ball on a plate or cutting board lined with parchment. Repeat for the rest. Save any leftover melted chocolate for later.

Place balls in the freezer for around 6-8 minutes until mostly firm.  

Dip a fork into the leftover melted chocolate and drizzle it on top of the balls to create a sophisticated design like the baking diva you are.  

Freeze the balls for another 10-15 minutes, until the chocolate is completely set. If you can wait that long.