Healthy Summer Desserts
September 19, 2022
Reviewed by: Jessica Blauenstein, a Board-Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition and Registered Dietitian at Renown Health.
The saying "you can’t have your cake and eat it too” is put to the test with these refreshing summer dessert recipes. While many sweet treats feature high sugar and calorie counts, these mouthwatering options use ingredient substitutes to satisfy your sweet tooth while contributing to a balanced diet.
Trust us when we say that taste hasn’t been sacrificed with these healthy treats. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised that the flavor is on par with, or exceeds, your favorite classics.
Enjoy the taste of summer with these healthy summer desserts!
Very Berry Ice Cream
- Course: Dessert, Dairy-Free
- Cuisine: American
- Servings 8 - 1/2 cup servings
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup strawberries (frozen)
- 1 cup blueberries (frozen)
- 1 cup raspberries (frozen)
- 1/4 cup apple juice concentrate
- 1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk
Instructions
- At least 4 hours prior to serving, peel and slice bananas. Seal in a plastic bag and freeze.
- Just before serving, put frozen berries and bananas in food processor. Pulse fruit and add soy milk to desired consistency.
- Freeze individual servings for future ready-to-go snacks or desserts.
Recipe Note
- Explore different combinations of frozen fruits.
- Using mangoes is a refreshing summer variation.
Chocolate Mousse
- Course: Dairy-Free, Dessert
- Cuisine: American
- Servings Serves 4 - 1/2 cup servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Hershey unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup granulated Splenda
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 12 ounces extra firm silken tofu
Instructions
- Combine cocoa powder, Splenda® and warm water in a stainless-steel bowl. The mixture should resemble a fudge-like consistency.
- In a food processor, blend tofu for 1 minute. Add fudge and vanilla extract, and blend until smooth.
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes or more, if possible, to let the mousse "fluff-up" as it cools.
Recipe Note
- Add 1/2 cup of frozen unsweetened black cherries to the mixture in the food processor for a "Chocolate Covered Cherry" dessert option.
- Garnish with a dollop of fat free yogurt, a fresh raspberry and mint leaf for a dessert worthy of company.
- For variation, add mint, orange, and/or ginger juice to replace water when blending.