25 Diabetes-Friendly Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

By , SparkPeople Blogger
So, just like 29 million other people in the country, you have diabetes. You're learning to live with the condition—eating healthier, exercising and maybe even taking medication to keep your blood sugar within a safe range. You're determined to keep your diabetes under control, rather than letting it control you.  
 
And then…the holidays.
 
Here comes November, the start of the sweetest season of all. There's a festive flurry of office parties, family dinners and neighborhood gatherings—and all of them seem to share one common thread: scrumptious, sugary desserts.
 
Where does that leave you?
 
When you're diagnosed with diabetes, sugar instantly turns into a four-letter word, and cookies, cakes, pies and other sweet treats become taboo. But with smart recipes like these, you can still enjoy your favorite desserts (in moderation, of course) without putting yourself in the danger zone.  

1. Mini Gluten-Free Cherry Pies: These adorable petite pies are low in sugar and size, but big on tantalizing taste.

Image courtesy of Jo Cooks
 
2. Low-Sugar Anisette Cookies: Not only do they add a festive flair to the table, they satisfy even the strongest sweet tooth with not a lot of sugar.
 
Image courtesy of Amanda's Cookin'

3. Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies: These quick and easy cranberry chocolate chip cookies are whole grain and naturally sweetened.
 
Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table

4. Apricot Protein Balls: This dessert is 100 percent sweetened with dates. (Vanilla protein powder could be replaced with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if desired.)


Image courtesy of One Clever Chef
 
5. Healthy Flourless Peppermint Mocha Brownie Bites: Full of dark chocolate, peppermint and coffee flavors, these bite-sized treats have no butter, oil, flour or sugar.


Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking

6. Sugar-Free Strawberry Shortcakes: Reduced-fat cream cheese replaces some of the butter used to make a traditional biscuit, resulting in only half of the fat and calories.


7. Chocolate Truffle Torte: This low-sugar, low-carb treat lets you indulge your chocolate cravings without the blood sugar spike.  


 

8. Baklava Stuffed Pears: Filled with nuts, this recipe gets its sweetness from fruit and honey instead of refined sugars.  



Image courtesy of Foraged Dish

9. Cranberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies: These cookies are sweetened with coconut sugar to keep them clean-eating friendly.


Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking

10. Mixed Fruit Sugar-Free Trifle: Low in sugar and sweetened with agave nectar, this diabetes-friendly dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious.

 

11. Sugar-Free Chocolate Soufflé: This sugar-free, low-carb treat comes from the pantry to your holiday dessert table in just three minutes.

12. The Ultimate Healthy Gingerbread Cookies: They won’t give you a sugar high (or crash) like traditional gingerbread cookies.



Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking


13. Pistachio Butter Cups: Pistachio butter is the creamy filling for these chocolate cups. Using dark chocolate (85 percent or higher) also makes this small treat low in sugar.
 


Image courtesy of Foraged Dish
 
14. Almond Joy Sugar-Free Fudge: Make extra to give as healthy holiday gifts!



 

15. Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting: Packed with warm, cozy spices, these low-sugar cupcakes are practically healthy enough for breakfast.



Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking

16. Raw Date Brownies: These 5-ingredient brownies are low-carb and naturally sweetened with dates for a healthier snack or dessert.



Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table

17. Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate Brownies: Enjoy the decadent taste of chocolate fudge, without exceeding your sugar quota.



Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking
 

18. Healthy No-Bake Mini Cheesecake Bites: These mini cheesecake bites are naturally sweetened and made with lower-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt for a lightened up (and portion-controlled) but super creamy and delicious dessert.


Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table

19. No-Bake Almond Thumbprint Cookies: No refined sugar, gluten, dairy or egg—and best of all, no oven!


Image courtesy of  The Healthy Apple

20. Skinny Slow Cooker Cinnamon Rolls: Diabetes is no match for these refined-sugar-free cinnamon rolls—perfect for Christmas morning!



Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking

21. No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Balls: These no-bake treats taste like an oatmeal raisin cookie but are made with wholesome ingredients. They're also gluten-free, vegan, nut-free and have no added sugar.



Image courtesy of Family Food on the Table
 

22. Grammy's Chocolate Mousse: Simple, satisfying and surprisingly low in sugar.

23. Sugar-Free Chocolate Truffles: Look no further for a festive, healthy hostess gift.


 

24. Healthy Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars: Made with no butter, refined flour or sugar, each party-pleasing bar is only 108 calories.


Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking
 
25. Chocolate Avocado Pudding: This recipe uses silky avocados as the base, but you wouldn’t know from tasting it. Avocados are rich in healthy fats, which slows down the sugar spike you might get from standard pudding.


Image courtesy of Foraged Dish
 
What are your favorite low-sugar or sugar-free treats to enjoy during the holidays?

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