Sugar-Free Desserts

We all know that too much sugar is a bad thing for your health but it is equally true that you have evolved to value the sensation of sweetness in your mouth. Reconciling what you know and what you want can be difficult so here are some dessert ideas that utilise healthier sweetener options: date cakes with tahini caramel; gingerbread cake with cream cheese icing; apple tea cake with chai icing; berry ripple cauliflower “nice cream”; apple cider vinegar gummy bears; vegan sticky date cacao pudding with banana nice cream; or a vegan mixed berry tart.

Date Cakes with Tahini Caramel

Recipe / Meg Thompson

A lovely, nutrient-rich dessert using the sweetness of dates to replace sugar. Plus, the whole family will love this dessert!

Makes: 6 mini-cakes

• 250g soft dates, pitted
• 100g butter at room temperature, cubed
• 200g almond meal
• 3 eggs
• Pinch sea salt
• Pinch ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 20g coconut flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Sauce

• 2 tbsp tahini
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp butter
• Yoghurt or cream, to serve

Preheat oven to 180°C and grease 6-hole muffin tin.

Soak dates in 200mL of boiling water for 10 mins. Drain and place liquid in food processor, setting dates aside.

Add butter and almond meal and blitz until smooth.

Add eggs, salt and spices, blitzing again to combine.

Combine the coconut flour and bicarb and add to mixture, blitzing again until combined.

Chop soaked dates and stir through mixture.

Divide mixture between holes of muffin tin and place in oven for 20–25 mins, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.

To make sauce, combine all ingredients in small saucepan over low heat, whisking to combine.

When ready to serve, pour over sauce and add yoghurt or cream as desired.

Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Recipe / Meg Thompson