Desserts

Many people are under the misconception that diabetics can't enjoy desserts. But it's entirely possible to love desserts when one's a diabetic. Just remember: moderation!

With that in mind, check out today's six desserts, including Crumb Topped Cherry Pie Dessert and Ginger Snaps. Enjoy!

PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE CUPS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 24 servings Serving size: 1 cheesecake cup

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/peanut-butter-and-chocolate-cheesecake-cups.

Ingredients

Crust

36 Reduced-Fat Chocolate Wafers

1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

5 tablespoons light butter, melted

Peanut Butter Center

1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

3 tablespoons reduced fat peanut butter

3 tablespoons reduced fat cream cheese

Chocolate Filling

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese

1 3/4 cups Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/2 cup skim milk

1/2 cup egg substitute

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ounces sugar-free chocolate, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Make CRUST. Crush cookies into fine crumbs. Blend all crust ingredients together in a small bowl. Stir until well blended. Set aside.

Make PEANUT BUTTER CENTER. Place all center ingredients in a small bowl. Mix until well blended. Set aside.

Make CHOCOLATE FILLING. Melt chocolate in small saucepan over low heat. Set aside. Place cream cheese and Splenda Granulated Sweetener in a small mixing bowl. Beat until soft. Slowly add skim milk. Mix, using a wire whisk, until smooth. Add melted chocolate. Stir well. Add egg substitute and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Set aside.

Assemble CUPS. Place 24 mini size foil baking cups on a sheet pan. Evenly divide crust between the 24 baking cups. Firmly press crusts into the bottom of the cups. Place approx. 1/2 tsp of the peanut butter center in the center of each crust-lined baking cup. Spoon chocolate filling into each baking cup. Firmly tap sheet pan on countertop to remove any air bubbles.

Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven 10-15 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch. Chill for approx. 2 hours before serving. Drizzle optional melted chocolate over the top for a garnish.

Notes:

A chocolate wafer crust forms the base for this peanut butter filled chocolate cheesecake cup.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 120; Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 95 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Sugars: 5 g

SUGAR-FREE OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

Recipe Yield: Yield: 15 servings

Source: PNEP

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/sugar-free-oatmeal-cookies.

Ingredients

3 banana (ripe)

1/3 cup margarine

2 cups quick-cooking oats (uncooked)

1/4 cup skim milk

1/2 cup raisins

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put the margarine in a small saucepan. Melt it on low heat.

Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix really well.

Let the mix stand for about 5 minutes, until the oats are wet.

Lightly grease the cookie sheet.

For each cookie, spoon out about 1 tablespoon of dough and drop it onto the greased cookie sheet.

Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes.

Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for about 1 minute.

Move the cookies to wire racks or a towel. Let them cool completely.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 110; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 35 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Sugars: 7 g

CRUMB TOPPED CHERRY PIE DESSERT

Recipe Yield: Servings: 12

Source: Sweet Inspirations

Book Title: Sweet Inspirations

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/crumb-topped-cherry-pie-dessert.

Ingredients

Pastry for a one-crust pie

2 (1lb) cans red tart cherries (packed in water)

1/2 cup fruit sweetener** (1/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate plus 1/4 cup granulated fructose)

3 tbsp cornstarch

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp. grated lemon peel

2 tbsp lemon juice

A few drops of red food coloring (optional)

2 tbsp almond flavoring

Topping:

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup instant mashed potato or buds

1/4 cup fruit sweetener** (1/8 cup frozen apple juice concentrate plus 1/8 cup granulated fructose)

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup margarine

**You can find commercial fruit sweeteners, ordinarily a combination of concentrated peach & pear juices and unsweetened pineapple syrup, in health food stores, gourmet food stores and large grocery outlets. It tastes 1-1/2 to 2 times sweeter than refined sugar. You can also make your own fruit sweetener. For example, if a recipe calls for 1/2 cup fruit sweetener, you can substitute 1/4 cup concentrated apple juice + 1/4 cup granulated fructose.

Directions

Line 9-inch pie pan with prepared pastry. Set aside.

Drain cherries, reserving one cup of the liquid. In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and 1/4 cup water, stirring until smooth. Add cherry liquid, fruit sweetener and salt. Simmer mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove from heat and add cherries, peel, lemon juice, food coloring and almond flavoring. Pour into prepared pie shell.

Combine last six ingredients and blend to crumbly consistency. Sprinkle over pie filling. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cut into 12 pieces.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 178; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 128 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 2/3 Fruit, 1-1/2 Fat

CRANBERRY-ALMOND TARTS

Yield: Servings Per Recipe: 24; Serving Size: 1 square tart

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cranberry-almond-tarts.

Ingredients

1/2 (15 ounce) container refrigerated pie crusts

3/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/3 cup water

1 (12 ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed

1/4 cup chopped almonds, toasted

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 (8 ounce) carton non-dairy whipped topping

1/4 cup toasted almond slices

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Unroll pastry and roll to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; using a 2- inch square cookie cutter, cut out 24 squares, re-rolling pastry, if necessary. Place squares in ungreased miniature muffin pans. Place in freezer.

Combine Splenda Granulated Sweetener and water in a saucepan, stirring until blended. Stir in cranberries. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly 2 minutes or until berries pop. Pour through a wire-mesh sieve, set over a bowl. Return liquid to saucepan; reserving berries. Bring liquid to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to about 3 tablespoons. Pour sauce over cranberries, tossing to coat. Stir in almonds and almond extract. Spoon mixture into pastry shells.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is set. Carefully remove tarts from muffin tins; cool on a wire rack.

Notes:

Cranberries and almond nestled in a flaky pastry make a sweet ending for a holiday party.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 2.5 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 55 mg; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 3 g

GINGERBREAD MAN COOKIESYield: 54 servings; Serving Size: 1 cookie

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/gingerbread-man-cookies.

Ingredients

6 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

4 teaspoons ground ginger

4 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup molasses

3 tablespoons water

Directions

Blend together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices in a large mixing bowl.

Cream butter, SPLENDA Granulated Sweetener and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the molasses and water. Stir well. Add the flour mixture and stir until well blended. Refrigerate dough 1-2 hours before rolling out and cutting into shapes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll cookie dough out slightly less than 1/4 inch. Cut into desired shapes. Bake in preheated oven 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 75 mg; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Sugars: 4 g

GINGER SNAPS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 36 servings; Serving Size: 2 cookies

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/ginger-snaps.

Ingredients

2/3 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

3/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup unsalted butter

1/3 cup molasses*

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/4 cup egg substitute

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

8 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons cinnamon

*Use Robust Molasses for a more robust molasses flavor.

**Cookie Dough can also be rolled out and cut into circles or shapes.

Directions

Mix Splenda Granulated Sweetener, sugar, butter, molasses and oil together in a medium mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed until creamy. Scrape sides of the bowl. Add egg and mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix until blended.

Divide dough in half. Roll into logs approx. 1 1/2 inches wide and 14 inches long. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours or freeze for 1 1/2 hours or until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil cookie sheets.

Slice cookies approx. 1/4 inch thick. ** Place on prepared sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.

Notes

Enjoy the aroma of these heavily spiced ginger cookies while they bake. For best results, allow to cool for a few hours in the fridge.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 110; Fat: 4.5 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 75 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Sugars: 7 g