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Lighter bakes, puddings and sweet treats

by Jessica Lockyer-Palmer

published on 5 January 2024

Eating should always bring joy as far as we’re concerned, but if you are looking to eat healthier, it can be hard to know how to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Here to show you that you can still indulge in bakes, puddings, and sweets, this collection of lighter recipes proves that you don’t need to cut out your favourite treats in order to stay on-track with your personal goals.

Air Fryer Caramelised Bananas Recipe

Air Fryer Caramelised Baked Bananas

by Hayley Dean

This easy, calorie-counted air fryer recipe celebrates the natural sweetness of bananas. Better still, it requires only 6 ingredients and 15 minutes to make.

Melissa Hemsley’s Three-Ingredient Chocolate Pots

Perfect for feeding a crowd, these plant-based treats are customisable, rich in flavour, and can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.

Rocky Road (gluten-free, dairy-free)

Rocky Road (gluten-free, dairy-free)

by Indy Power

Make a batch of these on a Sunday and you’ll be safe from the 3pm slump all week. These heavenly rocky road bars from The Little Green Spoon also happen to be dairy and gluten-free.

Chocolate and Hazelnut Truffles

Chocolate and Hazelnut Truffles

by Alessandra Peters

The perfect healthy treat for fans of Ferrero Rocher, these dairy-free truffles can store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Melissa Hemsley’s Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Melissa Hemsley’s Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Flour-free and with an easy vegan swap, we love these gooey, nutty tahini cookies.

Mini Carrot Cakes

Mini Carrot Cakes

by Amelia Freer

This healthier twist on a classic bake is great for any special occasion or afternoon tea.

Beauty Bars

Beauty Bars

by Amelia Freer

Make up a batch of Amelia’s seed-studded beauty bars and take them with you for a healthy pick-me-up when you’re on-the-go.

My Tasty Energy Balls, Date, Cocoa and Pumpkin Seed

My Tasty Energy Balls, Date, Cocoa and Pumpkin Seed

Sweet, nutty and substantial enough to see you through the day, these delicious energy balls from Everyday Super Food are the perfect snack.

Little Chocolate Pots

Little Chocolate Pots

Chocolate lovers, we’ve got you. These heavenly little desserts from Eat Happy use just five ingredients and under thirty minutes of your time to make. Perfect as a lighter dinner party dessert.

Gluten-free Rhubarb Crumble

Gluten-free Rhubarb Crumble

by Wendy Rowe

With a delicious nutty topping atop a sweet and tart rhubarb base, this lighter twist on a comfort food classic from Eat Beautiful is perfect as a healthy winter dessert.

Crunchy Custard-Baked Apples

by Sara Buenfeld

These soft apples, steeped in custard, are topped with a crunchy crumble-like topping for a taste and texture sensation that will round off your Sunday lunch nicely.

Quinoa, Plum and Cardamom Frangipane Pudding

Quinoa, Plum and Cardamom Frangipane Pudding

by Alex Hely-Hutchinson

Soft, buttery, and fragrant with cardamom and plum, this healthy pudding from 26 Grains uses quinoa flakes and ground almonds for a gluten-free bake.

BB Brownies

BB Brownies

The ultimate chocolate snack gets a lighter makeover in this recipe from The Art of Eating Well. Made using black beans to create that perfect gooey texture, they’ll soon become your new go-to.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky Toffee Pudding

by Saskia Gregson-Williams

Your eyes do not deceive you, that is a healthy sticky toffee pudding; the nation’s favourite pud, just a little bit lighter. Gluten- and dairy-free, it’s also a great option for vegans or those with food intolerances.

Apple Pie

Apple Pie

by Dr David Cavan, Emma Porter

Specially designed for people with type 1 and 2 diabetes, this apple pie is made with grain-free pastry and no refined sugar.

Raw Cheesecake

Raw Cheesecake

by Megan Gilmore

Dairy- and refined sugar-free, with a hidden hit of nutrients from the courgette, you won’t believe how creamy and moreish this recipe from Everyday Detox is.

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