15 Decadent Dessert Recipes for a Guilt-Free Sweet Treat

Article posted in: Nutrition South Beach DIY
Chocolate Mousse with Mint Garnish

If you’re a sucker for dessert, you’re not alone. Sweet treats are what South Beach Dieters say they desire most, which is why our nutritionists and resident chefs work hard to keep you satisfied. Despite how good they taste, every one of these 15 decadent low calorie dessert recipes are diet friendly and South-Beach-approved. Just watch your serving sizes!

Check out these 15 delicious, guilt-free and decadent dessert recipes:

 1. Flourless Black Bean Brownies >

Flourless Black Bean Brownies

To kick off our decadent dessert recipes, we’ve got a sweet treat for all chocolate lovers. The only way a warm brownie out of the oven could taste even better is if you knew that that brownie wouldn’t come back to haunt you on the scale. Black beans may not have been ingredients in your mom’s brownie recipe, but in this sinless dessert, they add fiber and nutrients. Believe it or not, no, you can’t taste them.

2. Nuts Over Vanilla “Pro-Yo” >

Nuts Over Vanilla “Pro-Yo”

Your husband came home with donuts and you need a healthy diversion—fast. What’ll it be? Open the fridge and grab the yogurt and almond milk. Next, add some vanilla protein powder, some nuts, and almond butter. Voila—you’ve got breakfast plus 30 grams of protein. Craving crisis averted!

3. Chocolate Ricotta Mousse >

Chocolate Ricotta Mousse

Ounce for ounce, ricotta has about five times more calcium than its closest family member: Cottage cheese. And because of its fine, delicate texture, it adds a creamy smoothness to foods—like this chocolate mousse. Want to impress guests? This is the recipe to make.

4. Chocolate Avocado Pudding >

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

From fiber and potassium to heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, avocados are incredibly healthy and have a creamy texture that’s perfect for pudding. It won’t take long to whip up this dessert after dinner, but make sure you chill the avocados beforehand.

5. Strawberry Peanut “Pro-Yo” >

Strawberry Peanut “Pro-Yo”

Love chunky peanut butter? Savor the dry-roasted peanut garnish in this easy dessert. If you’re a smooth peanut butter person, you can always make this breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert in the blender. Add ice for a milkshake-like texture.

6. Strawberry Coconut “Pro-Yo” >

Strawberry Coconut “Pro-Yo”

Close your eyes and picture yourself on a gorgeous beach. What’s in your hand? Something fruity and refreshing? Now open your eyes and head to the fridge. You can make that “something” in your own kitchen with protein powder, coconut and Greek yogurt. With 25 grams of protein, you can escape every day!

7. Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies >

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Think your cookie days are gone with the wind? Not quite. We’ve developed a six-ingredient cookie recipe that’s healthy, tasty and a nod to the best sandwich ever. Use any jam you like—raspberry, grape, apricot—as long as it’s sugar-free, you’ll stick to the integrity of the recipe.

8. Diet Dessert Chocolate Berry Cups >

Diet Dessert Chocolate Berry Cups

Sometimes you need to get a little fancy. Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party or cooking your anniversary dinner, these delicate desserts dress up dessert but are totally guilt free. Save time by making the phyllo shells up to three days in advance.

9. Mini Cocoa Swirl Cheesecakes >

Mini Cocoa Swirl Cheesecakes

You. Can. Eat. Cheesecake. That’s because cheese is a Healthy Fat on South Beach Diet, and this creamy recipe is adapted for your new lifestyle. If you just have to have a crust, you can use crushed almonds, pecans or hazelnuts mixed with a little trans-fat-free margarine. Just make sure you record the added healthy fat.

10. Apricot Berry Dessert Pizza >

Apricot Berry Dessert Pizza

The beauty of a decadent dessert pizza is similar to that of a regular pizza: Any topping will do. We combined apricot jam with fresh raspberries. But what about strawberry jam with sliced bananas or hot pepper jam with ripe blueberries? Just make sure you use whole wheat flour tortillas and sugar-free jam.

11. Almond Jam Bars >

Almond Jam Bars

Need to de-stress? How about a cup of tea—and a “biscuit”? To make these five-ingredient almond jam bars, just pulse almonds, sugar substitute and some salt in a food processor, add egg white, and then bake. Drizzle on some sugar-free jam when they’re just out of the oven and you’ve got a warm hug on a plate.

12. Lemon Olive Oil Cake >

Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Yes, you can make cake without butter. And no, you’re not dreaming. This spongy, lemony cake really is diet-friendly. Whether warm out of the oven or chilled with fresh raspberries, this cake is sure to make you famous.

13. Bran Muffins >

Pear Bran Muffins

Not only is wheat bran one of the best foods you can eat to maintain regularity, but the super-food is being studied for its role in preventing cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, according to the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition . This recipe imparts all the health benefits that accompany wheat bran as well as a tasty muffin that’s great on the go. The pear adds a subtle sweetness and cinnamon adds warmth.

14. Angel Meringue Pie >

Angel Meringue Pie with Strawberries

Does anything say summer quite like an angel food cake? If strawberries are involved, there’s no contest. While not a traditional “cake,” this pie is spongy, pillowy soft and the perfect base for virtually any fruit topping—if you want to stray away from strawberries.

15. Strawberry Fool >

Strawberry smoothie

This sweet, smooth and decadent dessert recipe will fool you into thinking it’s on the naughty list. For a mousse-like consistency, prepare as directed. To make it more ice cream-like, don’t thaw the berries.