When discussing diets and eating healthier, desserts are often thrown out of the equation. Desserts are known as sugar-dense, unhealthy foods that are avoided when working towards healthy eating. However, cutting sweet desserts completely out can be such a struggle for many individuals.
It’s important to keep in mind that when one approaches a diet, it’s all about balance.
It’s okay if you want some chips or a sweet treat once in a while. A great way to cut back on sugar but still get something at the end of your meal is to switch from cane sugar and artificial sweeteners to all-natural sweeteners like maple syrup, agave syrup, dates, and honey.
What Makes Natural Sweeteners a Better Option?
You might be wondering what makes natural sweeteners healthier than cane sugar? They both come from nature, right? Natural sweeteners are typically less processed than cane sugar and contain many health benefits.
- Honey and maple syrup contain zinc, manganese, and antioxidants.
- Monk fruit has antioxidants called mogrosides that don’t affect blood sugar, making it a safer option for diabetics.
- Dates are quite caloric but are rich in nutrients such as potassium and magnesium that help improve gut health.
One of the biggest differentiators is that cane sugar lacks the nutrients that other natural sweeteners contain. Nevertheless, cane sugar is not inherently bad and, in moderation, is perfectly fine. But many desserts call for an excess amount that our bodies have a harder time digesting, leading to spikes in blood sugar, inflammation, and other health issues.
5 Desserts with Natural Sweeteners You Have to Try
Sweet Potato Brownies
One of the fantastic features of brownies is their rich, fudgy texture that is easy to replicate with some natural sweeteners. In this sweet potato brownie recipe by Claire Sterling, you not only get a delicious dessert but are able to sneak in sweet potatoes, which are an excellent, healthy vegetable.
Sweet potatoes contain soluble fiber that aids in digestion and promotes gut health. Plus, they help create that rich, fudgy consistency that we all love from brownies. This recipe is also great because it is allergen-friendly. You can make the brownies with traditional flour and butter, or you can use the alternatives they suggest to best fit your gluten-free or dairy-free needs!
No-Bake Coconut Cream Bars
Baking isn’t for everyone, and that’s completely okay! We found a fantastic no-bake alternative where all you’ll need is a fridge and a microwave. And similarly to the sweet potato brownie recipe, this is also allergen-friendly! These coconut cream bars by Sophie are gluten-free, vegan, and paleo, which is perfect for large gatherings where you need to accommodate many dietary restrictions.
The recipe uses full-fat coconut cream, which brings a creamy taste and texture similar to dairy and almond butter that has a delicious nutty butteriness. Combine this with the rest of the ingredients and sweeten with maple syrup, and you’ve got a simple yet delicious dessert that’s packed full of flavor.
Blueberry Cobbler
This recipe is perfect for those who want to use up what they have in their home and don’t want to spend too long baking. The blueberry cobbler by Julia Mueller only has four ingredients, but it is just as yummy and flavorful as the rest! With prep and baking time, it will only take about 38 minutes, which is perfect for those looking for a quick, easy recipe.
What you will need is:
- Gluten-Free or All-Purpose Flour
- Coconut Oil
- Maple Syrup
- Blueberries*
*If you’re looking to use up some fruit in your fridge, you can switch out the blueberries for any other berry you may have!
This recipe is baked in a small bowl or ramekin as it is meant for a single serving; however, if you have multiple small dishes, you could make this for several people!
Zucchini Bread
If you’re a parent to children who don’t like to eat their vegetables, this is the dessert for you! This zucchini bread recipe by Ria Mortez uses two whole cups of grated zucchini that your kids won’t even taste. Zucchini is a fairly mild and watery vegetable that doesn’t overpower the bread, and you still get all the health benefits it contains, such as fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. And, due to zucchini’s watery consistency, it helps keep the bread moist while all the spices take center stage for taste.
Once baked, the bread will last a week in the refrigerator. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
Honey Butter Cupcakes
Have a birthday or celebration coming up? Try these honey butter cupcakes by Emily! The contrasting flavors of sweet, floral honey and creamy, salty butter create a beautiful, rich combination. If you’re looking for a honey brand, we highly recommend using a local honey from one of our vendors! You can top with a store-bought frosting or create a cream cheese frosting with honey.
This is another quick and easy 35-minute recipe with a serving size of 12 cupcakes. If you have more than 12 guests, this recipe can be doubled to make more.
Shop Local Produce & Healthy Foods at Ward’s Supermarket!
Stop by Ward’s Supermarket to pick up all your ingredients for these recipes today! We have lots of alternatives to cane sugar, such as agave syrup, maple syrup, honey, and more! When you choose Ward’s, you not only get unique specialty items, but you also get a wide selection of local baked goods. You will find products you can’t find anywhere else, and you can support local Florida vendors. We look forward to seeing you soon!
