How to make low-calorie sweets

Low-calorie desserts are mainly those made from berries and fruits. Sugar-free sorbet is considered the lightest. Its calorie content is roughly the same as the fruit from which it is made. On average, 100 grams of the finished product contains 35-70 kcal.

Fruit salads rank second in the rankings, leaving no one indifferent thanks to the opportunity to experiment with any combination of ingredients and dressings. For example, a mixture of apples, pears, and berries, dressed with 100 grams of low-fat yogurt or juice, will provide approximately 80-110 kcal.

Dried fruits rank third in the rankings, but not every sweet tooth loves them, even though nutritionists recommend eating them instead of candy, chocolate bars, and cakes. Just not often. Dried fruits contain more calories than fresh fruits and berries. Compare this: 100 grams of raisins contain 294 kcal, while 100 grams of grapes contain only 80 kcal. Furthermore, drying increases the concentration of nutrients, not just calories. Prunes are rich in vitamin K and fiber, essential for normal blood clotting, while dried apricots are rich in potassium, which is good for the heart.

You can also make low-calorie candies from dried fruit. To do this, take equal parts of any dried fruit and nuts and blend them. Form the resulting mixture into balls – and your sweet treats are ready!

Baked apples, pears, and quince make excellent low-calorie desserts. If you're craving sweets, you can easily cook these fruits, adding a couple teaspoons of honey. Honey is certainly high in calories, but you'll get more benefits from it than sugar. 100 grams of honey contains 360 kcal and a huge amount of amino acids and vitamins, which help fight colds and other illnesses.

When you go to a cafe, it's not always possible to estimate the calorie content of a particular delicacy (it's good if it's listed on the menu). But making your own healthy and delicious desserts isn't all that difficult. Try making a low-calorie dessert at home, and we offer some popular recipes for that.

Interesting variations of natural sorbets

Sorbet is a dessert similar to ice cream. While the latter is high in fat, the former is low in calories, light, and airy. Sorbets are made from frozen berry and fruit juices. For example, melon sorbet with raspberries and crisp chocolate, lemon and lime sorbet, and green apple and mango sorbet are delicious. Even those on a diet can enjoy these desserts with dry red wine.

Let's look at some citrus sorbet recipes. 100g of the finished product contains 100 kcal. To prepare, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Orange – 1 pc.
• Mandarin – 1 pc.
• Lemon – 1 pc.
• Sugar – 1 glass.
• Water – 0.5 cups.

First, mix the fruit zest with sugar and water. Then, place the mixture over medium heat, and once boiling, simmer for another 5 minutes. Allow the syrup to cool. Add the fruit juice to the syrup and refrigerate for 5 hours, stirring every half hour. After this time, beat the mixture with a blender. To form balls from the mixture, use an ice cream scoop (or a regular one) and roll them into balls. The citrus sorbet is ready! Simply spoon the sorbet into molds and serve.

The grapefruit sorbet recipe is just as easy to make. To make it, you'll need:

• Pink grapefruit – 2-3 pcs.
• Sugar – 3-4 tablespoons.
• Egg whites – 2-3 pcs.

The right proportions will give you the sensation of a natural grapefruit flavor. First, peel the fruit and scoop out the pulp. If you're too lazy, you can simply squeeze out the juice along with the pulp. Then, mix it with sugar and puree the resulting mixture. Now, beat the egg whites with a blender or fork until soft and combine with the juice. Refrigerate the syrup for 35-40 minutes.

By the way, to give the dessert a piquant flavor, you can add a flavored alcohol (champagne, liqueur, etc.). This is done before freezing, but if you're using an ice cream maker, it's best to add the alcohol 5 minutes before the end of the process. Grapefruit sorbet is ready!

Sometimes, sorbet freezes too much. In this case, remove it from the freezer and refrigerate it for 40-60 minutes. The recipe's author suggests blending the sorbet, then shaping it and serving.

Burfi is an Indian milk fudge.

You're missing out if you've never tried burfi! This delicacy is a hit with both adults and children. The recipes use a lot of Indian spices, but that's not necessary, as they're designed for a more casual palate. This dessert is easy to make, yet it tastes exquisite and delicate. What's more, burfi is a low-calorie treat—100 grams contains 200 kcal.

To make sesame burfi you will need the following ingredients:

• Butter – 200 g.
• Dry milk – 100 g.
• Sugar or powdered sugar – 75 g.
• Sesame – 100 g.

First, melt the butter in a frying pan, then add the sesame seeds and fry until golden brown. Cool to room temperature, then mix with powdered sugar, add powdered milk, and pour into a large pan (rectangular is best), or you can form small balls. Freeze for 1 hour. Indian burfi is ready! Since burfi doesn't need to be chilled before serving, don't keep it in a warm place for too long (this will cause the dessert to melt). Serve immediately.

Raspberry mousse

Even low-calorie desserts should be consumed in moderation. However, these sweets contain beneficial nutrients, unlike cookies and candies. This airy raspberry mousse recipe is very simple to make, and it's sure to please. Light desserts like these (100g of finished product contains 167 kcal) are perfect for the holidays.

To prepare raspberry mousse you will need the following ingredients:

• Raspberries – 2 cups.
• Milk – 1 glass.
• Honey – 1 glass (or to taste).
• You can also add 100g of cornflakes to this recipe (optional).

Pour one cup of hot raspberry syrup over the cereal. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and let it steep for several hours. Mash the berries with a fork and then mix them with the cereal. Finally, add honey and milk (to the desired consistency) and mix everything together. Your low-calorie raspberry mousse with cereal is ready! Serve this delicious treat!

Fruit muffins

You can always treat yourself to delicious muffins, the main thing is to know how to make them. So, we want to share a delicious recipe with you. To make fruit muffins, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Oatmeal – 225 g.
• Nuts (any) – 125 g.
• Banana – 1 pc.
• Carrots – 1 pc.
• Juice of one lemon.
• Honey – 1 teaspoon.
• Water/soy or skim milk.
• Fresh strawberries or raspberries (optional).

Mash the banana with a fork or blender, grate the carrots, and chop the nuts. Mix the ingredients, except for the berries, with milk or water. Fill the molds with the mixture, decorate with berries, and refrigerate until frozen. The fruit muffins are ready! This low-calorie dessert is best served with nut cream. By the way, 100 g of the finished product contains 150 kcal.

Rice pudding

Desserts made with brown rice and baked apples are healthy and equally delicious treats that are perfect for dieting. 100g of the finished product contains 222 kcal.

The recipe includes the following ingredients:

• Brown rice – 3/4 cup.
• Skim milk – 1/3 cup.
• Egg white – 1 pc.
• A pinch of salt.
• Ground cinnamon – 1 teaspoon.
• Ground nutmeg – 1 teaspoon.
• Vanillin – 1/4 teaspoon.
• Sugar – 1-2 tablespoons.
• Apple – 1 pc.

First, cook the rice, add sugar and salt, then mix in 1/4 cup milk. Cook over medium heat until the rice thickens and the milk is absorbed. This will take about 15-20 minutes. Cut the apple into small wedges and microwave for 7-10 minutes. Now add the vanilla, mix the remaining milk with the egg whites, beat the mixture with a blender or whisk, and pour it into the rice mixture. Cook over medium heat for a few more minutes. The pudding is ready! Garnish this low-calorie dessert with nutmeg and cinnamon, top with a baked apple, and serve.