3 Low-Carb Desserts To Tempt Your Taste Buds

by Shannon Clark Aug 23, 2011

If you're currently on a low-carb diet plan, trying to shed those last few pounds as you gear up for the summer season, you should cut out sugary treats and eat clean. But, does this mean dessert is completely out of the question? No way!

If you get just a little more creative in the kitchen, you can whip up some diet-friendly desserts that will also give your sweet tooth the satisfaction it desires. The words "dessert" and "unhealthy" don't have to be synonymous! We all know that mental fortitude is crucial to keeping oneself from going insane while on a strict diet, but there are a few things you can do to allow yourself a guilt-free dessert every once in awhile.

There are plenty of healthy and tasty products out there, so now it's time put your thinking cap on and get crackin' with these awesome lean dessert recipes that are impossible to argue against.

The Peachy Keen Chiffon

This peach chiffon is a breeze to prepare and works perfectly for picnics, barbecues or any other social meal - plus it's sugar-free! And with a few sliced peaches on top, you can still keep the carb count down while providing a small dose of fiber to help keep your hunger satisfied and your nutrient intake up.

So light, so tasty, so perfect!

Ingredients

Sugar-Free Peach Jell-O

1 small package Calories: 40
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 4 Grams| Carbs 0 Grams
Boiling Water

1 1/2 cups
Pecans

1 cup Calories: 779
Fats: 82 Grams| Protein 10 Grams| Carbs 15 Grams
Light Butter

2 tbsp Calories: 196
Fats: 22 Grams| Protein 232 Milligrams| Carbs 16 Milligrams
Splenda

1/3 cup Calories: 237
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 0 Grams| Carbs 79 Grams
Ultra-Low-Fat Cream Cheese

6 oz Calories: 342
Fats: 26 Grams| Protein 13 Grams| Carbs 14 Grams
Vanilla Extract

1/2 tsp Calories: 3
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 0 Grams| Carbs 132 Milligrams
Peaches

2 peaches Calories: 117
Fats: 750 Milligrams| Protein 3 Grams| Carbs 29 Grams

Printable Version Of Peachy Keen Chiffon Recipe. (pdf 55.8 KB)

In a food processor, crush the pecans to make a crust-like substance and then pour it into a bowl. Add the butter and sweetener, and then stir until the ingredients are well mixed. Next, press this mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 9 inch square pan that has already been sprayed with PAM, and then place it in the oven for about 8 minutes.

Next, make the Jell-O according to package directions, but right before it's completely set and solid, place it in a food processor or blender with the vanilla extract and cream cheese. Blend them together, and then pour the mixture over the pecan crust. Place the peach chiffon in the fridge for 20 minutes or leave it in overnight, and then top it with fresh-sliced peaches when you're ready to eat!

The Chocolate Lover's Godsend

Check out this chocolate peanut butter fudge recipe - it's a dessert that every chocolate lover will adore and one that also boasts plenty of protein. The added peanut butter provides plenty of extra protein and good fats for a healthy dessert or snack you can have any time of the day.

Fitness nuts can be chocolate lovers too, you know.

Ingredients

Unsweetened Baking Chocolate Squares

8 oz Calories: 11136
Fats: 119 Grams| Protein 29 Grams| Carbs 68 Grams
Natural Peanut Butter

1 cup Calories: 1526
Fats: 131 Grams| Protein 63 Grams| Carbs 52 Grams
Splenda

2 cups Calories: 1422
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 0 Grams| Carbs 474 Grams
Chocolate Protein Powder

1 cup Calories: 960
Fats: 12 Grams| Protein 184 Grams| Carbs 24 Grams
Salt

1 pinch Calories: 0
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 0 Grams| Carbs 0 Grams
Chopped Peanuts

1/2 cup Calories: 372
Fats: 31 Grams| Protein 17 Grams| Carbs 12 Grams

Printable Version Of Chocolate Lover's Godsend Recipe. (pdf 63.5 KB)

Begin by melting the chocolate squares on low heat in a saucepan. Make sure to stir continually so it doesn't burn. After the chocolate has melted, add in the peanut butter and sugar substitute, and then continue to stir until the ingredients are completely mixed together.

Then add the chocolate protein powder and a quarter cup of peanuts. Sprinkle a pinch of salt into the sauce, and then pour it into a 9 x 9 inch pan. Sprinkle the remaining peanuts as a topping for the mixture, and then place everything in the fridge to cool for about 20 minutes. When you're ready to eat, take it out of the fridge and it's ready to go!

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Cheesecake

As far as desserts go, you can't go wrong with a good cheesecake, but what about one that's also healthy? This lemon cheesecake offers a refreshing take on a traditional treat that can easily fit in your stomach and nutrition plan.

Hey New York cheesecake, are you jealous?

Crust Ingredients

Almonds

1 1/4 cups Calories: 1082
Fats: 95 Grams| Protein 38 Grams| Carbs 38 Grams
Light Butter

2 tbsp Calories: 196
Fats: 22 Grams| Protein 232 Milligrams| Carbs 16 Milligrams
Splenda

3 tbsp Calories: 133
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 0 Grams| Carbs 44 Grams
Vanilla Extract

1/2 tsp Calories: 6
Fats: 1 Milligram| Protein 1 Milligram| Carbs 263 Milligrams

Filling Ingredients

Ultra-Low-Fat Cream Cheese

2 packages Calories: 564
Fats: 42 Grams| Protein 30 Grams| Carbs 14 Grams
Regular Cream Cheese

1 package Calories: 800
Fats: 72 Grams| Protein 16 Grams| Carbs 8 Grams
Splenda

1 1/2 cups Calories: 1065
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 0 Grams| Carbs 355 Grams

Alternate Option:
Stevia
Vanilla Extract

1 tsp Calories: 12
Fats: 2 Milligram| Protein 2 Milligram| Carbs 526 Milligrams
Salt

1/4 tsp Calories: 0
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 0 Grams| Carbs 0 Grams
Room Temperature Eggs

2 eggs Calories: 111
Fats: 8 Grams| Protein 8 Grams| Carbs 685 Milligrams
Room Temperature Egg Whites

4 eggs Calories: 46
Fats: 150 Milligrams| Protein 10 Grams| Carbs 642 Milligrams
Lemon Juice

1/4 cup Calories: 13
Fats: 173 Milligrams| Protein 246 Milligrams| Carbs 4 Grams
Lemon Zest

1 tbsp Calories: 3
Fats: 17 Milligrams| Protein 86 Milligrams| Carbs 922 Milligrams
Evaporated Skim Milk

1/4 cup Calories: 23
Fats: 108 Milligrams| Protein 2 Grams| Carbs 3 Grams

Topping Ingredients

Greek Yogurt

1 cup Calories: 192
Fats: 8 Grams| Protein 16 Grams| Carbs 8 Grams
Lemon Juice

2 1/2 tbsp Calories: 8
Fats: 104 Milligrams| Protein 148 Milligrams| Carbs 2 Grams
Lemon Zest

2 tbsp Calories: 5
Fats: 35 Milligrams| Protein 173 Milligrams| Carbs 2 Grams
Splenda

1/3 cup Calories: 237
Fats: 0 Grams| Protein 0 Grams| Carbs 79 Grams

Alternate Option:
Stevia

Printable Version Of Life Gives You Lemons Cheesecake Recipe. (pdf 27.4 KB)

Begin by heating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, spray the sides and bottom of a Springform pan with non-stick spray, and wrap the pan in foil to protect it from leaking during cooking. Then combine the almonds, butter, Splenda and vanilla extract together to form the crust, and press this into the bottom of the pan. Bake the crust for 8 minutes and then remove it from the oven. Now turn the oven down to 350 degrees.

From here, beat the cream cheese in a separate bowl until light peaks start to form (like small mountains), and then add the sweetener, vanilla, salt and eggs. Beat the ingredients together very well, scraping the sides of the bowl as you go. Then add the lemon juice, zest and evaporated milk and continue to beat until the mix is well blended.

Next, pour this mixture over the crust. Then place a large pan (larger than the Springform pan) halfway filled with water into the oven, and place your cake pan into that pan to bake everything for about an hour.

While that stuff is baking, beat together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice and zest along with your sweetener, and set it aside for later. Once the cheesecake is done, remove it from the oven, spread over the topping and then bake it for another 10 minutes. After that, you can remove the cheesecake from the oven and chill it overnight before serving. Top it all off with a little extra lemon zest for some added flavor!

So there you have three quick and easy dessert recipes to get you started on your list of low-carb indulgences. Remember to always factor these treats in your overall diet to make sure you don't overstep your caloric limits. With any dessert idea, try to pick healthy ingredient substitutions to keep your comfort foods a viable healthy treat. Reward your hard work with treats that won't hurt your results!