Low-carbohydrate type diets continue to be popular weight loss plans and are often necessary for diabetic conditions. Restricting carbs, however, does not mean you can't have your cake, too. With the addition of fiber-rich foods, such as nuts and whole grain, carb-conscious folks can enjoy delectable and healthy treats at the end of a meal. Below are some easy-to-make, delicious low-carb dessert recipes sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Pie
This pie is creamy, dense, rich and doesn't require any baking. Plus it's fast and easy to make, even if you have no experience with low-carb cooking.
Ingredients
- One jar natural, smooth peanut butter
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- One cup powdered Stevia natural sweetener or Splenda
- Two cups pecans
- Two squares unsweetened baking chocolate
- Heavy whipping cream
Directions
- Pulse the pecans inside a food processor until powdered.
- Press the blended pecans onto the bottom and sides of a pie tin.
- Melt the unsweetened chocolate and mix with two tablespoons of sweetener.
- Spread the sweetened chocolate over the pecans.
- In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, cream cheese and remaining sweetener until smooth.
- Press the peanut butter mixture into the pie tin until level.
- In a chilled bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Add additional sweetener as desired. Spread the whipped cream onto the pie and chill until ready to serve.
Almond Cookies
These flourless cookies are chewy and dense with just a hint of sweetness to them. The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for the cookies to bake and cool.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound blanched almonds
- Eight ounces plus 3/4 cup powdered Stevia or Splenda
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Two egg whites
- One whole egg
- One cup butter
Directions
- Place the almonds in a food processor and pulse until ground.
- Pour in eight ounces of sweetener, almond extract, and two egg whites.
- Continue pulsing until a thick almond paste has formed.
- In medium bowl, blend together the almond paste with the remaining sweetener, egg and butter. Mix well.
- Drop by the tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly brown on top. Let cool before eating.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
This fudge is so dense and rich that a little bit goes a really long way. Whether you're making a special treat for yourself or need a sweet finish for your next dinner party, this recipe is perfect.
Ingredients
- Six ounces of high quality, unsweetened baking chocolate
- One cup natural smooth peanut butter
- 3/4 cup erythritol
- One cup liquid Splenda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler until smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the other ingredients.
- Press immediately into a nine-inch square loaf pan.
- Allow to cool to room temperature before cutting.
Sweeteners for Low-Carb Dessert Recipes
Keep in mind as you experiment with low-carb baking that low-glycemic or sugar-free sweeteners taste extremely different from one another, even amongst types. Try various brands of Stevia, sugar alcohols and powdered and liquid Splenda to help get a feel for what will ultimately give your baking and desserts the best flavor. Keep in mind that when using sugar alcohols, eating too much may have a laxative affect.
Live the Sweet Life
Following a low-carb diet does not mean that sweet things need to remain off limits forever. Experiment with these low-carb dessert recipes to find one that works for you. Don't be afraid to switch up the sweeteners to find one that works better for your taste buds. Even on a low-carb diet, you can still enjoy all the sweet things that life has to offer.
