Diabetic Desserts

May 21, 2013
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
Enjoy some of our favorite desserts which fit nicely into a balanced and healthy diabetic diet.
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Sweets in a Diabetic Diet

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

A healthy diabetic diet is all about balance. As long as moderation is taken into account, a small amount of sugar is accounted for in the total amount of carbohydrates in your diet.  As a general rule, diabetics should try to cut down on foods and drinks that have large amounts of sugar because they can make blood sugar control and weight control more difficult.

 

First up is our Browned Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Butter moves from nutty and brown to bitter and burned quickly, so be sure to take the pan off the heat once it turns amber-brown. To keep cookies from spreading, make sure the cookie sheet is completely cool before starting the next batch.

 

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Crispy Peanut Butterscotch Pie

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Crispy Peanut Butterscotch Pie

You’ll love the cool creaminess of this frozen pie with the contrasting crunch of the oven-toasted rice cereal. It’s a true treat any time of the year.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding

This pudding isn't just delicious, it's easy to make, too. Tip: Tossing the bananas with lemon juice is more about preserving color and texture rather than enhancing flavor. When coated with lemon juice, the bananas will keep from turning brown as quickly.

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Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Sandwich Cookies

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Sandwich Cookies

Peanut butter cookies make the perfect base for a layer of sweet strawberry spread. Serve these sweet-and-salty cookies for an afternoon snack or a sweet lunchbox surprise.

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Strawberries with Crunchy Almond Topping

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: View Recipe: Strawberries with Crunchy Almond Topping

This easy but stylish dessert is best made early in the day to let the strawberries macerate in the sweetened almond liqueur.

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Sour Cream Pound Cake

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Sour Cream Pound Cake

Slice into a lighter pound cake recipe that has all the flavor of a traditional one. Low-fat sour cream brings moistness and taste without so many calories.

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Black-and-White Cake Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Black-and-White Cake Cookies

These decadent cookies are a lightened version of an often calorie- and fat-laden favorite. One thing this recipe doesn't skimp on: flavor.

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Classic Angel Food Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Classic Angel Food Cake

This master recipe is good as is, but it's also easy to modify to suit any cravings.

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Cocoa Fudge Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Cocoa Fudge Cookies

You can mix these incredibly easy fudge cookies right in the saucepan. When freshly baked, these thin cookies have crisp edges and chewy centers. You can make them with either Dutch process or natural unsweetened cocoa powder; we opted for the latter.

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Rustic Apple Tart

Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Rustic Apple Tart

Purchased piecrust dough is a convenient time-saver. We like the flavor combo of sweet Golden Delicious and tart Granny Smith apples, but you can use any variety.

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Macadamia Butter Cookies with Dried Cranberries

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Macadamia Butter Cookies with Dried Cranberries

We love these thick, satisfying cookies. They're as humble as peanut butter cookies but not as crumbly. Dried cranberries provide a slightly tart counterpoint to the macadamia nuts' richness. The dough is somewhat sticky; chilling it briefly makes handling easier.

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Banana Coffee Cake with Macadamia Nuts and Coconut

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Banana Coffee Cake with Macadamia Nuts and Coconut

This recipe received rave reviews from readers and, after your first bite, you'll know why. Substitute pecans if you don't have macadamia nuts.

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Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

With dried apples and caramel candies in every bite, our less-than-100-calorie oatmeal cookies give you the flavors of fall year-round.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

This simple mix-and-drop chocolate peanut butter cookie dough comes together in minutes and may not even require a shopping trip, thanks to its pantry-friendly ingredients.

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Chocolate-Amaretti Peaches

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Chocolate-Amaretti Peaches

Our version of this quick dessert uses shaved bittersweet chocolate for added richness. Look for amaretti cookies at specialty or gourmet markets; they have a distinct almond-amaretto flavor and crunchy texture that make this dish memorable. In a pinch, you can substitute crumbled almond biscotti.

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Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Add some color to your cookie tray with these jam-filled thumbprints.

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Oranges with Caramel and Cardamom Syrup

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Oranges with Caramel and Cardamom Syrup

For this simple dessert, top tangy-sweet orange slices with homemade caramel-and-cardamom syrup; finish off with a dollop of Greek yogurt flavored with honey and orange-flower water, which can be found in gourmet markets or Middle Eastern grocery stores.

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Molasses Cookies

View Recipe: Molasses Cookies

This classic spice cookie is a delicious addition to your cookie collection.

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Lemon Verbena-Walnut Loaf Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Lemon Verbena-Walnut Loaf Cake

If you can't find lemon verbena tea, use Lemon Zinger herbal tea for equally great flavor in this delicious loaf cake.

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Orange Yogurt Cake (Bizcocho de Naranja)

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Orange Yogurt Cake (Bizcocho de Naranja)

This moist cake offers a triple punch of orange flavor: juice, marmalade, and liqueur. Wrap cooled, unglazed cake in plastic wrap to freeze. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature, glaze, and serve. Garnish with fresh raspberries or strawberries, mint, and grated orange rind, if desired.

 

 

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