They may swoon over your soup, rave about your roasted chicken and get teary-eyed in praise of your homemade bread. But the showstopper for most meals is dessert – that flavorful finale that can make or break the entire gustatory experience. If you’re planning a special meal but don’t want to have to worry about imbibing too much sugar or fat, consider these five palate pleasers.
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Raspberry Banana Sorbet
Sorbet is a light, refreshing finish to a meal, and making your own is easier than you might think. This recipe has no added sugar, and relies on orange juice for its zing. Try experimenting with other fruit combinations too!
Get the recipe: Raspberry Banana Sorbet
Skinny Chocolate Cream Pie
This recipe retains the thick, chocolatey lushness of a cream pie without much reliance on fat. The secret lies in dark cocoa powder and fat-free half-and-half. This is a make-ahead recipe that needs just a few finishing touches before serving.
Get the recipe: Skinny Chocolate Cream Pie
Low-Cal Chocolate Biscotti
Biscotti are twice-baked biscuit-type cookies, which gives them a special crispy-yet-dense texture – perfect for dunking into an after-meal (low-fat!) cappuccino. This recipe uses chocolate, walnuts and cinnamon for a savory, not-too-sweet flavor.
Get the recipe: Low-Cal Chocolate Biscotti
Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sometimes a simple dessert can be simply elegant. This recipe is low in cholesterol and high in omega-3 fatty acids, with walnuts and avocado oil replacing the usual eggs and butter. Serve these delicious bites mounded high on a beautiful tray accompanied by espresso or tea.
Get the recipe: Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dark Chocolate and Cherry Brownies
We’re hard-pressed to think of any pair of flavors that sound more alluring together than dark chocolate and cherry. This recipe uses a no-calorie sweetener to complement the natural sweetness of the fruit and amplify the earthiness of the cocoa.
Get the recipe: Dark Chocolate and Cherry Brownies
