When it comes to taste preferences, women seem to have a natural love for sweets, especially before and during their period. I’ve noticed a few of my female friends craving sweets around that time.
But, being women, while we love sweets, we’re also more conscious about food calories and often worry about gaining weight, potentially ruining our figure.
That’s why I’ve seen many food enthusiasts optimizing traditional dessert recipes. With a few clever twists, they make desserts that look just like the originals but are much lighter.
Today, I’m sharing five modified dessert recipes I’ve discovered, and each one is worth trying. Let’s take a look!
Recipe Highlights
When I first saw this recipe, I couldn’t help but applaud. Jam typically relies on white sugar to get that sweet flavor and jelly-like texture, but this recipe cleverly uses chia seeds, which absorb water and expand, to achieve the same jelly-like consistency! A little maple syrup is used for sweetness, and you can adjust the amount to your preference.
Ingredients
250g Fresh or Frozen Strawberries
1 tbsp Water
1.5 tbsp Chia Seeds
2 tbsp Maple Syrup, Honey, or Sugar
Method
Place strawberries, maple syrup, and 1 tbsp of water into a pan, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat.
Mash the strawberries as they cook to help them break down (don’t need to mash them too finely).
Once the strawberries are softened, add the chia seeds and cook on low for another 2 minutes before turning off the heat. Let it cool (the chia seeds will expand as they absorb the water).
Once cooled, transfer the jam to a sterilized jar and store it in the fridge.
Tip: This quick recipe takes about 20 minutes and works with all fruits. If the fruit is dry, you can add a little extra water.
Storage: Keep in the fridge for 7-10 days.
Recipe Highlights
If you look at this, you might immediately think of a cheesecake. Traditional cheesecakes are delicious but are high in fat due to heavy cream and cream cheese. This yogurt cake replaces cream with sugar-free yogurt while keeping the same smooth and moist texture. It’s a must-try!
Ingredients
2 Eggs
15g Cornstarch
200g Sugar-free Yogurt
6-inch Cake Pan
Method
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add yogurt and cornstarch, stirring until smooth.
Line the cake pan with parchment paper, pour the yogurt mixture into the pan, and tap the pan to release any air bubbles.
Preheat the oven to 185°C (365°F) and bake for 40 minutes.
Tip: For a smoother texture, strain the egg mixture or sift the cornstarch before adding it. After baking, let it cool and refrigerate for a better taste.
Recipe Highlights
This recipe is especially for those who love chocolate! A pound cake is typically dense and made with a lot of butter. This version uses bananas as a binding agent, cocoa powder for chocolate flavor, and dark chocolate chunks with walnuts for decoration – very creative!
Ingredients
230g Ripe Bananas
70g Sugar-free Yogurt
2 Eggs
5g Baking Powder
55g Whole Wheat Flour/Oats
15g Cocoa Powder
A little Dark Chocolate (75%)
A few Walnuts or other nuts
Method
Mash the bananas and mix with eggs and yogurt.
Sift the dry ingredients into the mixture and stir until well combined.
Add chopped dark chocolate and walnuts to the batter and pour into a loaf pan.
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes.
Tip: Ripe bananas add natural sweetness, and if you use oats, the cake will have more texture. Whole wheat flour makes it smoother, but you can pick the type based on your preference. If you don’t want the crunch of nuts, try almond flour instead.
Recipe Highlights
No need for excessive butter or sugar – this pie lets you enjoy a delicious blueberry pie without the hassle of making jam, and it’s super easy to make!
Ingredients
80g Oats
1 Banana
2 Eggs
1 Purple Sweet Potato
70g Milk
A few Blueberries
A little Sugar
Method
Mash the banana and mix with oats until combined.
Brush oil on a pie dish and bake the oat mixture at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes to set the crust.
Steam the sweet potato, mash it, and add a little milk to make a smooth puree.
Beat the eggs, add the remaining milk and a little sugar, and mix well.
After the oat crust has set, spread the sweet potato puree on it, add the egg mixture, and top with blueberries.
Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 22 minutes.
Tip: Feel free to swap the purple sweet potato with regular sweet potato, pumpkin, or taro, depending on your preference. For a sugar-free version, you can skip the sugar.
Recipe Highlights
This recipe is based on a trend called “Nicecream,” which is made by blending frozen bananas with fruits for a creamy, low-fat treat. It’s popular in many countries, and you can get creative with flavors!
Ingredients
1 box Sugar-free Frozen Yogurt
1 Banana (fresh or frozen)
A few Frozen Fruits (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, avocado, mango, etc.)
Method
Using a blender that can crush ice, combine the frozen yogurt, banana, and 1-2 types of fruit. Blend until smooth.
Tip: For the sweetest results, use ripe bananas with black spots, and make sure all other fruits are frozen for the best ice cream texture. You can also add matcha powder or cocoa powder for different flavors!
This translated version keeps the same spirit of your article but adapts it to an American audience, focusing on familiar ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions!