5 Super-simple healthy desserts

Are you the type who needs something sweet to finish a meal? These five super-simple healthy desserts are great for satisfying your sweet tooth on a weeknight without busting the calorie bank.

Dessert may have been the first thing to go when you signed up to lose those last few winter kilos. But while summer fruit is delicious, sometimes a girl just needs that little bit extra. If you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to undo all your hard work, put down the chocolate bar and try one of our super-simple healthy desserts instead.

Poached fruit

It’s the middle of winter and you’re craving something sweet. Rather than reaching for the chocolate pudding, why not try some poached fruit instead? It’s healthy, it’s warming, and with a little bit of effort you can turn a simple piece of fruit into something quite fancy.

Ingredients:

• 2 pears
• 500ml of water
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• Juice and rind of one orange
• Juice and rind of one lemon
• 2 cinnamon sticks

Directions:

1. Bring the water, honey, rind, juice and cinnamon to boil in a medium saucepan, stirring slowly to combine.
2. Add the pears and simmer for 15 minutes, turning the pears every five minutes to ensure all sides are cooking equally.
3. Serve the pears immediately with syrup spooned over the top and a dollop of nut cream on the side.

Orange nut cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of raw, unsalted cashews
• 1 cup of boiling water
• 1 cup of cold water
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• Zest and juice of one orange

Directions:

1. Soak the cashews in boiling water for at least one hour. Discard the water, place the cashews into a food processor with 1/2 cup of water and blend until smooth.
2. Add the honey, zest and juice and blend again to incorporate, adding more water if necessary to get a smooth, creamy texture.

Summer fruit salad

There’s no denying that on a hot summer’s day a simple fruit salad is perfectly delicious. But why not take your salad to the next level and treat yourself to something just a little bit special?

Ingredients:

• 1 mango, peeled and chopped
• 1 peach, diced
• 4-5 strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 1/3 cup of blueberries
• 100 grams of frozen raspberries
• Juice of one lime
• 1 tablespoon of chopped mint

Directions:

1. Combine the chopped fruit, mint and berries in a large bowl and sprinkle with lime juice. Stir gently to combine then divide between four large glasses.
2. Puree the frozen raspberries until smooth, then drizzle over each glass of fruit salad just before serving.

Raw nut balls

If it’s raw, it’s good for you, right? Right. These tasty little morsels feel like a decadent treat and they are — just without all the nasties.

Ingredients:

• 200 grams of dates
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1/4 cup of hazlenuts
• 1/4 cup of chopped cashews
• 1/4 teaspoon of allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• Zest and juice of one orange
• 1/2 cup of desiccated coconut

Directions:

1. Process everything but the desiccated coconut in a food processor until a smooth dough forms.
2. Roll mixture into teaspoon-sized balls and place on a lined baking tray. Refrigerate for at least an hour, or until the balls are firm.
3. Once set, roll the balls in the desiccated coconut and serve straight out of the fridge.

Yoghurt trifle

If you have a hankering for some vintage dessert, you can’t go past a good old trifle. But all that cream and cake isn’t good for you. Enter the yoghurt and muesli trifle; just as tasty and healthy enough for those days where you need dessert for breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of your favourite vanilla yoghurt
• 1 cup of your favourite muesli, toasted or raw
• 1 cup of chopped, fresh berries
• Juice and zest of one lime
• Pulp and juice of one passionfruit

Directions:

1. Mix the chopped berries and lime together in a large bowl.
2. Starting with the fruit, layer the fruit, muesli and yoghurt into four individual ramekins, repeating each layer until all ingredients are used.
3. Refrigerate for an hour or overnight and serve topped with passionfruit for a decadent breakfast or refreshing dessert.

Avocado pudding

You’ve got a bad chocolate craving but you don’t want to undo all your hard work. Avocado mousse may be just what you’re looking for. It’s sweet, it’s creamy and it’s chocolatey, but best of all it’s made from one of nature’s superfoods. What’s not to love?

Ingredients:

• 1 large, ripe avocado
• 60 grams of good quality dark chocolate, grated
• 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste

Directions:

1. Toss the flesh of the avocados into a blender with the cocoa powder, honey and vanilla bean paste. Blend until smooth, creamy and slightly airy.
2. Fold through grated chocolate and chill for at least 30 minutes before devouring in great, hungry mouthfuls. Garnish with sliced, fresh strawberries or chopped, salted pistachios if you have the time or inclination.

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