Dessert Ideas for the Sugar-Conscious

A couple of weeks ago I started thinking about the role of sugar in hospitality and questioning how loving it is to serve poison to guests (yes sugar is poison! Read here). If you’re anything like me and keen to cut the sugar from your diet but convinced that sometimes dessert is necessary, no doubt you’ll also be wondering ‘how can I serve something sweet but healthy at the end of a meal? ‘ Despair not! I have been collecting low- or no-sugar dessert recipes for just such occasions.

Over the next few months I will share these recipes with you (in this series titled Dessert Ideas for the Sugar-Conscious), and I encourage you to try them! All are delicious, satisfying, and contain either no or low amounts of sugar. Many incorporate fresh fruit as this is an easy way to add sweetness (as well as many vitamins and antioxidants) without adding processed sugars.

So without further ado, let’s get straight into the desserts!

Berry Parfait (serves 4)

Berries and cream are a classic combination. This dessert is perfect for the warm summer months when berries are plentiful.

400g natural yoghurt
1/2 cup thickened cream, whipped
1 tsp finely grated orange rind
250g strawberries, hulled, quartered
125g raspberries
125g blueberries

Combine yoghurt, cream and orange rind in a bowl. Combine berries in a separate bowl. Put one quarter of the berries aside for later. Using a fork, lightly crush the larger quantity of berries until smooth. Layer yoghurt mixture and crushed berries in 4 glasses. Cover and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes. Top with reserved berries and serve immediately.