3 Healthy Dessert Recipes

chocolate chip cookies

Just because you want to improve your eating habits, doesn’t mean you have to cut dessert from your life. Curb those sweet cravings with one of these delicious yet healthy treats:

1. Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this low-calorie recipe from Food Network!

Ingredients:

For the crust:

  • Cooking spray
  • 24 chocolate wafer cookies
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 ounces semisweet chocolate morsels, melted

For the filling:

  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup 2 percent Greek yogurt
  • 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

For the topping:

  • 1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted peanuts
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

First, prepare an 8-inch square pan with foil so it overhangs, then spray it with a light coating of non-stick cooking oil.

To make your crust, place the cookies in a food processor and mix until finely ground. Gradually add the peanut butter and melted chocolate and pulse until the mixture resembles the texture of wet sand. Once it’s ready, transfer the crumbs to the prepared pan and press into the bottom. Cover and place in the refrigerator to set.

In the meantime, clean your food processor. Then, add the cream cheese, peanut butter, yogurt and sugar and mix until it reaches a smooth consistency. Remove the prepared crust from the fridge, pour the filling on top and smooth it with a spatula. Sprinkle with roasted peanuts and salt, then place back in the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours. Enjoy!

2. Plum Smoothie-Pops
Summer is almost over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a frozen treat. Try this recipe from Country Living magazine.

Add your favorite fruits to the mix if you please.Add your favorite fruits to the mix if you please.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 pound plums
  • 8 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 6 ounces plain Greek yogurt

Directions:

First, place the sugar, corn syrup and water in a small saucepan over high heat and bring it to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.

Once the simple syrup has cooled, mix it with the plums and lime juice in a blender until pureed. Pour mixture into a large bowl, then gradually mix in Greek yogurt until fully combined.

Distribute mixture evenly into popsicle molds. Top with a sheet of tinfoil, then press popsicle sticks into each mold’s center. Place in the freezer and let set until solid – this should take about 4 hours. Enjoy!

3. Pumpkin Pie Pudding
Fall is right around the corner, so now’s the perfect time to tend to that pumpkin spice craving you’ve  had since last year. This guilt-free dessert recipe from Cooking Light magazine is under 300 calories!

Ingredients:

  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup sugar, divided
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 3/4 cups 1 percent low-fat milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup canned unsweetened pumpkin
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8  teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • Salt to taste

Directions:

First, prepare a baking sheet with foil and non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

Place 6 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a medium pan. Whisk the milk and egg in a small bowl, then gradually stir it into the sugar mixture. Bring to a boil, let cook for one minute, then remove from heat.

In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg, stirring well. Slowly add pumpkin mixture to milk and whisk. Place pan over low heat and cook for 3 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid bubbling. Divide mixture among four soufflé cups, then cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Place remaining sugar, walnuts and a dash of salt on the prepared baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 3 minutes. Once they’ve cooled, transfer the nuts to a cutting board and chop coarsely.

Remove the pudding from the fridge, top with toasted walnuts and enjoy!