Simple and Easy to Make Low-Fat and Nutritious Desserts

Frozen Berries and Yogurt Delight

Want a simple treat on the go? Then this is for you. These are perfect summer treats and are great for picnics.

Ingredients:

• 18 (1.25 fluid ounce) paper cups
• 1.5 pounds of mixed berries
• 3 cups of low-fat vanilla yogurt

Yields: 18 servings
Total Time: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 2 hours

1. Coat the bottom of the cups with the yogurt.
2. Fill the disposable paper cups with your favorite assortment of berries about three-fourths of the way.
3. Pour and fill the remaining space in the cups with the yogurt.
4. Freeze for about 2-3 hours or overnight
5. To serve, cut or tear out from the cups. If these will be transported, tear out only when serving.

Peach Yogurt Ref Cake

This is a great twist on a classic ref cake recipe. If you’re not familiar with it, think of it as a layered dessert similar to tiramisu. The original makes use of sweetened cream and can be extremely fattening, so why not go light with some healthy vanilla yogurt instead? Add some cinnamon for some spice as well!

Ingredients:

• 30 ounces of sliced peaches
• 8 to 12 pieces of graham crackers
• 20 ounces of low-fat vanilla yogurt
• Powdered cinnamon

Yields: 15-20 servings
Total Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 2 and a half hours

1. Line the bottom of your container with a single layer of peaches that are side-by-side, evenly placed and tightly packed.
2. Coat the entire layer with an even amount of vanilla yogurt, just until the peaches are not visible.
3. Sprinkle a thin layer of cinnamon on top.
4. Cover with a single layer of graham crackers.
5. Repeat steps a-c.
6. Top the succeeding layer with the remaining yogurt, followed by the peaches, and finally finishing with a thin layer of cinnamon.
7. Refrigerate for about 2 hours and 30 minutes or overnight.

Rainbow Fruit Kebabs

Colorful, easy, and delicious, fruit kebabs are a great addition to any gathering of your choosing. You can also top this with any topping you’d like. Dark chocolate powder sprinkled on top or crushed pistachios would go excellent with this.  How about some vanilla yogurt as a dip? Maybe some all-natural honey or dark chocolate* drizzled lightly that is sure to delight and satisfy?

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ pound of your favorite assortment of fruit. We recommend to keep it as varied in colors and textures as much as possible.
• 10 6-inch bamboo sticks
• Your choice of topping or dip.

Yields: 10 servings
Total Time: 30 minutes

1. Cube all your fruits roughly the same size of about 1.5 x 1.5 inches
2. Skewer the fruits in alternating sequences. Remember to only use one type of fruit once per stick.
3. Arrange on a platter and serve with your choice of topping or dip. We recommend also trying to mix and match. Drizzle your fruits with honey or chocolate then sprinkle with some crushed pistachios, for instance. Honey and chocolate powder also works well, or you can let your guests choose which one they prefer. You can serve the vanilla dip on the side.

*Dark Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces of dark grated chocolate
• 4 ounces of half and half

Total Time: 17 minutes
Preparation Time: 2 minutes
Active Cooking Time: 15 minutes

1. In a double boiler, heat the half and half over a medium high heat until bubbles start forming on the sides. Make sure you do not burn or boil it.
2. Melt and fold in the chocolate.
3. When the chocolate is completely melted, remove from the heat.
4. Take a spoonful of the chocolate and drizzle over the fruit skewers.

A Very Berry Parfait

Aestheticallypleasing and also extremely versatile, this dessert can double up as a breakfast or a packed snack. Simply load up on the granola for an early morning treat, and use a disposable cup instead of a glass if you’re on the go but in need of a snack to take with you (don’t forget your disposable spoon to go along with it!).

Ingredients:

•  ½ a cup of your favorite assortment of berries frozen
•  ¾ cup of low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 4 tablespoons of low-fat granola

Yields: 1 serving
Total Time: 5 minutes

1. In a parfait or wine glass, place and even layer of yogurt that covers the bottom entirely.
2. Put an equal amount of mixed berries into the glass.
3. Do the same for the granola.
4. Repeat a-c until all the ingredients are used.

Chocolate-Dipped Cherries with Crushed Pistachios

Chocolate-dipped strawberries are great, but why let them have all the fun? Try something different by some cherries for a dessert that’s just as tasty, flirty, and fun. These go wonderfully with a romantic dinner, as a gift for your friends or loved ones, or even just a simple treat for yourself after a long hard day’s work.

Are the pistachios not your thing? Try almonds. Are you allergic and/or not fond of nuts in general? Try chopping some raisins finely instead. Their tangy sweetness will contrast wonderfully with the cherries.

You can also try making some with raisins, some with nuts, or a mix or both!

Ingredients:

•  ½ cup of crushed pistachios
• 4 ounces of dark grated chocolate
• 4 ounces of half and half
• 1 pound of sweet cherries with stems intact (1 pound is about 50 cherries)

Yields: 50 pieces
Total Time: 1 hour
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Active Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Time: 15 minutes

1. First, line you baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a bowl, put your crushed pistachios beside the baking sheet. This will be your assembly line.
3. In a double boiler, heat the half and half over a medium high heat until bubbles start forming on the sides. Make sure you do not burn or boil it.
4. Melt and fold in the chocolate.
5. When the chocolate is completely melted, remove from the heat.
6. Hold each cherry by the stem, dip the bottom half into the chocolate, and then dip into pistachios. Place onto the parchment paper to dry. Be sure before the nuts the cherry is not dripping with excess chocolate.
7. To ensure that the chocolate has completely hardened for consumption, refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Low-Fat Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice cream sandwiches are delicious, but are packed with tons of sugars that are detrimental to your health in the long run. Our light version ensures that you’re still able to satisfy your cravings without letting it all go straight to your waist.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole-wheat honey graham cracker
• 2 tablespoons of light whipped cream
• Any favorite topping you’d like (dark chocolate powder, crushed nuts, etc.)

Yields: 1 serving
Total Time: 1 hour and 1 minute
Preparation Time: 1 minute
Inactive Time: 1 hour

1. Break the cracker in half.
2. Evenly place on one half the whipped cream.
3. Top the sandwich with the other cracker.
4. On its sides, drizzle with your choice of toppings (Sandwich can be enjoyed as is too).
5. Freeze for about an hour or until solid.

Mini Tiramisu

Sometimes, the best way to have your cake and eat it too is to just watch your portions. This recipe is a modification of our earlier Chai-Spiced Tiramisu suggestion.

If you’re really watching your weight, best to substitute your filling with ricotta or some low-fat cream cheese.

Also, if you decide to use ricotta, keep in mind that it is best enjoyed when it is eaten as soon as it is made. The dessert works best when the ricotta is still fluffy.

Ingredients:

• 5 chai tea teabags
• ¾ of a cup of boiling water
• ½ cup of preferred cheese filling (either mascarpone if you’re sticking to the good stuff, while use ricotta or low-fat cream cheese if you’re looking to trim down)
• ½ a tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons of Splenda
• 2 teaspoons of spiced rum
• 2 tablespoons of cognac
• ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 12 ladyfingers
• 2 tablespoons of light whipped cream
• Any favorite topping you’d like (dark chocolate powder, crushed nuts, etc.)

Yields: 6 servings
Total Time: 2 hours and 18 minutes

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Active Cooking Time: 3 minutes
• Inactive Time: 2 hours 

1. Steep the tea into the boiling water. Remove after 3 minutes.
2. After, add rum, cognac and 2 tablespoons of Splenda. Stir well. Set aside.
3. Combine cinnamon, vanilla, the remaining sugar and cheese of choice in a bowl. Whisk until fluffy.
4. Soak the bottom half of 6 ladyfingers in the chai dip for 10 seconds each.
5. Line the bottom of a tray evenly and tightly with the ladyfingers with the bottom-soaked part facing you.
6. Scoop and spread the cheese mix evenly over the ladyfingers.
7. Soak the bottom half of the remaining 6 ladyfingers in the chai dip for 10 seconds each.
8. Place the second-batch of dipped ladyfingers on tope and directly in-line with the first batch of ladyfingers to create even and symmetrical layer similar to a sandwich.
9. Top by sprinkling the cocoa powder on top of the cake.
10. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set.

Satisfy your sweet tooth? We’d love to hear from you, so tell us what’s your favorite dessert recipe on the list by hitting the reply button below, or tweet us at @YouQueenMag with a picture of your attempts at making these delicious treats!

Cover photo: ifyousuhmell.blogspot.com