Do you find yourself craving cold, refreshing treats when the heat is on? Creating heat-busting indulgences at home that will cool you down and make your taste buds sing is easier than you think! These crowd-pleasing desserts are the perfect way to enjoy the season and most can be whipped up in mere minutes. You’ll also find that these make-at-home summer desserts are as nutritious as they are delicious so they’ll fit into most healthy eating plans.
Try these tasty, healthy desserts to make your summer a bit sweeter:
- Ice cream and sorbet – You can whip up a batch of healthy ice cream or sorbet in no time, even if you don’t have an ice cream maker. Just freeze chunks of your favorite fruit and add to a high-speed blender or food processor along with a squeeze of lime juice, some fruit juice or coconut milk. A popular trend is to whip up cottage cheese along with fruit and a little sweetener for a high-protein ice cream that tastes decadent but is good for you.
- Smoothies and slushies – Another refreshing treat that’s loaded with nutrients also starts with fresh fruit as the main ingredient. Smoothies and slushies typically combine fruit, your milk of choice and ice cubes. The sky’s the limit on the flavor variations you can make. Berries, bananas, mango, melon and pineapple are popular choices. This mixed berry smoothie combines strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries for a refreshing snack or dessert.
- Frozen yogurt bark – This quick-and-easy recipe is perfect for a summer snack or dessert. Start with any flavor of yogurt you like and spread it evenly over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Top with diced fruit, as well as other accompaniments such as dark chocolate chips, granola or chopped nuts. Freeze until firm (about 3 hours), then break into pieces and store in a covered container.
- Fresh fruit – Almost nothing is more refreshing than fresh summer produce. Whether you prefer a ripe, juicy peach or a luscious slice of watermelon, fresh fruit takes the cake when it comes to healthy, quenching summer desserts. If you want something a bit more exciting than just a piece of fruit, it’s easy to pull together a fruit salad, make fruit skewers or even freeze chunks of fruit for a super-cool snack.
- Bite-sized sweet treats – Another easy way to enjoy a bite of something sweet that’s healthy and requires no cooking is to make protein balls or s’mores bites. To make the s’mores bites, place chunks of bananas on popsicle sticks, dip the tops in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with crumbled graham crackers. For a healthier topping, use unsweetened shredded coconut or sesame seeds in place of the graham crackers. Refrigerate until the chocolate sets and serve cold or freeze for an even cooler sweet treat.
Each of these easy-to-make summer treats will not only cool you down but will help you stick to a healthy eating plan while satisfying your sweet tooth. They’re a great way to indulge during this carefree time of year while being good to your body!
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Date Last Reviewed: June 17, 2024
Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor
Medical Review: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT
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