Whether you are on a low-carb, paleo, vegan or vegetarian diet — or you’re simply avoiding processed and artificial goods — these treats are a healthy alternative. With simple ingredients and bake-free ease, anyone can enjoy these desserts — and these sweets will love you back! Indulging has never been so sinless. Here’s how you can make the simplest and healthiest desserts ever.
Truffle Balls
Ingredients
2 cups pitted, soaked dates
2–3 tablespoons of ground cacao
Optional toppings:
1/8 cup of ground cacao
1/8 cup of unsweetened coconut shreds
1/8 cup of hemp seeds
1/8 cup of chopped nuts of your choice
Instructions
- Grind your cacao into a fine powder using a high-speed blender, food processor or coffee grinder.
- Drain the water from the dates. You can save it to drink or to add to another sweet dish. Pulse the dates in a food processor and slowly incorporate the cacao powder until smooth.
- Place in a nonstick container or a container lined with foil. Put in the fridge until firm, like the texture of a soft brownie.
- Take it out of the fridge and shape the mixture into balls. Then roll the balls in a topping of your choice and pop them in your mouth. You can share them if you like, but I doubt you will want to!
Banana Ice Cream
Ingredients
3 frozen, ripe bananas
1 soft, ripe banana
Water as needed
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, pulse ingredients until smooth and creamy like a soft-serve ice cream. If your blender or processor begins to whine or get stuck, add a little water at a time to get the mixture to the right consistency. Don’t overdo it though, or else you’ll have a smoothie as opposed to ice cream.
- Feel free to stir in any fresh berries, chopped dates, dried mulberries, cacao nibs, nuts, or whatever healthy foods you like into the mix.
Apple, Blueberry or Peach “Caramel” Mini Pies
Ingredients
Crust:
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped nuts or dried mulberries
Water as needed
Filling:
1 1/2 cups chopped apple, blueberries, or peaches
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup ground, unsweetened shredded coconut
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Pulse the crust ingredients together in a food processor. Add water when you notice that it is no longer chopping and incorporating anything.
- Scoop out the gooey mixture and press it into foil-lined mini pie tins, cupcake molds, or foil cupcake wrappers.
- Place the pie crusts in the fridge overnight, or in the freezer for an hour.
- To make the filling, add unsweetened shredded coconut to the blender and blend until it becomes a powder. Then add water, dates and cinnamon, and pulse until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the coconut/date “caramel” filling into the pie crusts, and then drop chopped fruit on top. The fruit should be heavier than the creamy sauce and thus should sink. If the fruit remains on top, add a little water and stir until the fruit is incorporated into the sauce. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes and serve.
Strawberry Cream Mini Pies
Ingredients
Crust:
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped nuts or dried mulberries
Water as needed
Strawberry filling:
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup water
Instructions
- To make the crust for this pie, follow the instructions in the mini pie recipe above.
- Once the crust is hardened, blend all of the strawberry filling ingredients and pour into the crusts.
- Freeze again for two hours or until hard. Top with coconut cream or enjoy as is.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie
Ingredients
Crust:
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1/8 cup ground cacao
Water as needed
Peanut butter layer:
1/2 cup peanut butter
4 soaked dates
1 banana
1/2 cup water
Chocolate drizzle:
3 soaked dates
2 tablespoons ground cacao
1 tablespoon coconut cream
1/8 cup water
Toppings:
2 teaspoons cacao nibs (optional)
2 teaspoons chopped peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Pulse the crust ingredients in a food processor, adding water gradually until the consistency resembles taffy.
- Scoop into a large pie dish and press into the shape of a pie crust. Freeze for an hour.
- Blend the ingredients for the peanut butter layer, then smooth onto the pie crust and freeze overnight.
- Add the chocolate layer ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Drizzle on top of the peanut butter layer. Top with cacao nibs and/or peanuts if you like.
Here are some useful tips if you want to make all your ingredients from whole foods:
For peanut butter: Pulse peanuts in a high-speed blender until the mixture is a powder. Pulse more until the oils release, and it will turn into peanut butter.
For ground cacao: Just buy raw cacao nibs and grind them into a powder.
For coconut cream: Scoop out the flesh from one coconut and blend with roughly half of the coconut water until it has the consistency of fresh cream.
These are high-protein, high-fiber treats that are healthy enough to be served as breakfast or dessert. There are no processed ingredients used: no gluten, no flour, no refined sugars and no artificial colors or flavors. These desserts are proof that eating whole foods doesn’t have to be boring or bland. What simple, no-cook desserts have you tried? Share your recipes and ideas with us below.
—Nicloe Manuel
Nicole Manuel, CPC is a certified life coach with a degree in economics and over five years of professional writing experience. Her goal is to help others discover ways to incorporate sustainable solutions that can improve their health and well-being on a budget.
Sources:
http://rawmanda.com/2-ingredient-raw-chocolate-truffles
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/recipe-raw-caramel-apple-pie
http://www.olivesfordinner.com/2014/02/raw-berry-tarts-for-valentines-day.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+OlivesForDinner+(Olives+for+Dinner)
http://www.damyhealth.com/2012/04/raw-blueberry-pie-single-serving-whole
http://www.thisrawsomeveganlife.com/2013/08/chocolate-cream-caramel-bars.html#.VaWAbflVikp
http://www.wholeheartedeats.com/2013/12/victoria-bar-aka-nanaimo-bar.html
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/09/09/no-bake-peanut-butter-pie
http://ifoodreal.com/clean-no-bake-peanut-butter-pie
http://bigeatstinykitchen.com/2012/05/15/raw-cashew-cream-pie-gluten-free
