Desserts

If you, or a loved-one, have been recently diagnosed as diabetic, you might feel that desserts are now a thing of the past.

But, like many things, desserts are still possible, as long as they're done in moderation. These six yummy dessert recipes (all from Diabetic Gourmet) show that you can, indeed, have an occasional dessert. Try the Iced Lemon Sorbet, the Mocha Cheesecake Bars, or any of the other recipes and see which one hits the spot the most. Enjoy!

VANILLA CREAM PUFFS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 12 ServingsServing Size: 1 cream puff

Source: Splenda

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/vanilla-cream-puffs.

Ingredients

Cream Puffs Ingredients

1 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 tablespoon Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/4 cup butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 large eggs

Custard Filling Ingredients

2 tablespoons Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 cups 1% low-fat milk

2 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup commercial chocolate sauce

Directions

Cream Puff Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine water, salt, Splenda Granulated Sweetener and butter in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until butter melts. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until mixture leaves sides of pan and forms a smooth ball. The mixture resembles mashed potatoes. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes.

Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed with an electric mixer. Scrap down the sides of bowl occasionally and beat until batter is smooth.

Spoon mixture heaping tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between puffs.

Bake immediately for 35 minutes or until puffs are golden brown and have a crisp shell. (Do not open the oven door during the first 15 minutes of baking time.) Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

Custard Filling Directions: Combine Splenda Granulated Sweetener and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan; gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 6 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil. Cook 1 additional minute, stirring constantly. Gradually stir about 1/4 the hot mixture into egg yolks; add to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and strain mixture through a sieve; cover the surface of the custard with wax paper or plastic wrap to prevent a film from forming on the surface.

Cut tops off and fill with 2 1/2 tablespoons custard; replace tops and drizzle with 1 tablespoon chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.

Storage: Store baked unfilled cream puff shells in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 24 hours or freeze up to 2 months.

Notes:

Fluffy pastry shells filled with a thick vanilla custard and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 200; Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 4.5 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 180 mg; Cholesterol: 120 mg; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g; Sugars: 12 g

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

Yield: Serves: 20

Source: Splenda

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/blueberry-cheesecake-bars.

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/3 cup light butter, melted

12 ounces reduced fat cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

2 large eggs

1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1/4 cup reduced-sugar apricot preserves

1 tablespoon water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an eight-inch square pan with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside.

Combine graham cracker crumbs, Splenda Granulated Sweetener, and butter, mixing well. Firmly press mixture evenly in bottom of prepared pan. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven; set aside.

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add Splenda Granulated Sweetener, beating until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream and vanilla, beating just until blended. Gently stir in blueberries. Pour mixture into prepared pan.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until firm. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Cover and chill 2 hours.

Topping Directions: Combine apricot preserves and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until jam melts. Spread over filling; cut into bars.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 110 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Sugars: 3 g

CHOCOLATE MOCHA CHEESECAKE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 16 servings; Serving Size: 1 slice (1/16 of cheesecake)

Source: Splenda

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chocolate-mocha-cheesecake.

Ingredients

Crust Ingredients

44 Reduced-Fat Chocolate Wafers, crushed

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

Batter Ingredients

3 (8 ounce) packages reduced-fat cream cheese

3/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla

1-1/4 teaspoons instant espresso crystals

2 (.55 ounce) packages Sugar-Free Swiss Miss Instant Cocoa Mix

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Mix crust ingredients together, and press into a 9-inch springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.

Reset oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

Beat cream cheese and Splenda Granulated Sweetener together until well mixed and smooth. Add eggs, egg whites, cornstarch and salt. Mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix until well blended.

Measure 1/2 cup of the cheesecake batter and pour into a small bowl. Add instant espresso crystals and cocoa mix. Stir until well combined.

Pour half of plain batter over crust. Top with half of the coffee batter by placing rounded spoonfuls over the cheesecake batter. Gently swirl the coffee batter into plain batter with the tip of knife or spatula. Repeat with remaining batters.

Bake 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from oven and gently run metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cheesecake (this helps prevent cracking). Let cool 20-25 minutes before covering and placing in the refrigerator. Refrigerate 4- 6 hours or overnight before serving.

Notes:

You might also like this recipe for Sugar Free Mocha Cheesecake Bars.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 200; Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 270 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Sugars: 4 g

ALMOND CHEESECAKE BARS

Recipe Yield: Serves: 20Serving Size: 1 bar

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/almond-cheesecake-bars.

Ingredients

Crust:

1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 1/4 cups graham cracker or vanilla wafer crumbs

1/3 cup light butter, melted

1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds, finely ground

Filling:

12 ounces reduced fat cream cheese

1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

2 large eggs

1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream

2-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 cup toasted, sliced almonds

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray an 8x8 pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Mix crust ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Mix well. Press into prepared pan. Bake 10-12 minutes or until firm.

Mix cream cheese and Splenda Granulated Sweetener together until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl, and mixing well after each addition. Add sour cream and extracts; mix well. Pour over prepared crust.

Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 47 minutes, or until firm.

Top with toasted almonds.

Notes:

Light and creamy cheesecake bars topped with toasted almonds.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 120; Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 105 mg; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Sugars: 4 g

MOCHA CHEESECAKE BARS

Recipe Yield: 20 Servings

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/mocha-cheesecake-bars

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs

1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/3 cup light butter, melted

12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

2/3 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1-1/4 teaspoons instant espresso granules

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup white chocolate chunks

Directions

Crust Directions: preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray an 8-inch x 8-inch square baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside.

Combine chocolate wafer crumbs, Splenda Granulated Sweetener and butter in a mixing bowl, stirring until blended.

Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Filling Directions: beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Combine Splenda Granulated Sweetener, espresso granules, and cocoa powder; add to cream cheese, beating until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream and vanilla, beating, just until blended.

Stir in chocolate chunks. Pour filling over prepared crust.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until firm; cool.

Chill until firm. Cut into bars.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 120; Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 4.5 g; Sodium: 120 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 4 g

ICED LEMON SORBET

This recipe begins, “Wow your guests with a tangy fresh lemon sorbet served in hollowed out lemons. Just don’t tell them how fast and easy it was to make!Garnish with a sprig of mint for a great presentation.”

Recipe Yield: Serves: 8; Serving size: 1/2 cup

Source: Splenda

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/iced-lemon-sorbet.

Ingredients

4 cups boiling water

12 packets Splenda Essentials No Calorie Sweetener with Fiber

1 tablespoon lemon zest

2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

8 lemons (for optional decorative serving)

8 sprigs fresh mint sprigs

Directions

Combine boiling water and Splenda Essentials No Calorie Sweetener with Fiber in a large bowl, stirring until dissolves; cool slightly. Stir in lemon rind and juice. Pour mixture into a 9-inch square pan; cover and freeze.

Cut tops from lemons; remove pulp. Set aside.

Remove sorbet from freezer; let stand about 10 minutes. Scrape sorbet surface with a spoon; scoop or spoon sorbet into lemon shells or into small serving dishes. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 30; Fiber: 7 g; Sodium: 5 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g