Bakers help? Sweetener free dessert recipes, please!

[sonjak]

One of my goals for the end of December/ January is to avoid all sweeteners.  (Maybe longer but taking it a month at a time!) 

I like to have a treat on the weekend and even though I'm doing well with avoiding sugar, my habit brain wants something different/sweet on the weekend.  I think it will be easier to stick with my goal if I make a replacement instead of trying to just go cold turkey on everything.

Fruit (including dried, in moderation) is "allowed." 

Would appreciate any recipe suggestions.
Thanks!

[Jakejake]

Put peeled sliced bananas in the freezer.
The next day, put them in a food processor.

That's the whole recipe - it will be like ice cream in texture.

[GreenSheep]

Nice goal! I don't eat added sugar, so dates and bananas are my best friends when it comes to dessert. I never really liked dates before, just to eat them by themselves, but they work wonders in baked goods and other sweet things. These are my favorite websites for dessert recipes:

feastingonfruit.com
fullyraw.com
straightupfood.com

I also make "banana nice cream," as mentioned above, even though I never did like banana-flavored ice cream back when I ate sugar and dairy. You can make it into all sorts of flavors and not even notice the banana. Add cocoa powder to make it chocolate (unsweetened cocoa powder -- the bananas provide enough sugar).  Add whatever frozen fruit you want to make that flavor. Or play around with vanilla, cinnamon, or other spices. And nuts! It doesn't keep well in the freezer (turns into a rock), so just use one or two bananas to make a single serving and eat it all right away.

If you don't have one, a food processor helps a ton. (And a Vitamix, but you don't have to shell out that kind of money if you don't want to. Plenty of these recipes can still be made with just a food processor.) I got mine for $21:

https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-70740-8-Cup-Processor/dp/B00755KNCS/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1483775653&sr=1-3&keywords=food+processor

Oh, another easy one is energy balls/bites. Tons of recipes online, but basically dates, oats, maybe a handful of nuts, and some flavorings (dried fruit, cocoa powder, etc.)... throw it all in the food processor, then roll the resulting "dough" into balls and stick them in the fridge for a while to firm up.

[mountains_o_mustaches]

I'm going to put a possibly unpopular opinion out there.  Don't do this.  Don't replace the junk food you're trying to get out of your life with "healthier" options.  I tried to cut sugar out of my diet several times before I was successful and I think the reason was because I wasn't actually getting the unhealthy foods out of my life - I was just finding workarounds so that I could keep eating the same things.  I was making date brownies and realistically they weren't really any different than the brownies I had made before the diet - I had just swapped sugar sources.  So I was still reliant on those foods that I was trying to get rid of and the message it sent to myself was that I couldn't live without it.  You can.  It'll be tough at first because habit is a hard thing to overcome.  But replacing the very foods you're trying to eliminate with replicas that technically fit into the diet isn't going to help you toward your goal. 

Again - just my 2 cents from experience.  I'm not being judge-y (I was there myself!), but I know for me it took a friend giving me a figurative face punch for me to see this and the last time I did this diet I cut out desserts without "diet-friendly" replacements and was successful!  Good luck!

[Jakejake]

That was my first reaction as well - but when I went back and reread the post I saw they were limiting it to weekends. I've had success eliminating sugar even in the form of fresh fruit 6 days a week, but keeping a cheat day - and it looks like they are approaching it in a similar way, having a cheat weekend treat.

If it turns into sweet things every day, then yeah, that's a whole different thing that keeps a sugar addiction active.

Since I'm posting anyway - reading the other banana ice cream suggestions with added cocoa powder and cinnamon reminded me that you can also do a mexican-inspired version with banana, cocoa and a touch of chili powder.

[westtoeast]

Hi, I just came off a year without sugar! Now I'm doing the "sugar on weekends only" rule too. A few thoughts...

Stevia is great-- just pick a pure brand with no other weird additives. I use it to sweeten tea or coffee during the week which helps me not feel deprived. Be careful to use small amounts because it is WAY sweeter than sugar and has an odd aftertaste if you overdo it. I also used to make a simple paleo vegan "cookie." I'd blend up melted coconut oil, about 16 drops of Stevia, and a few ripe bananas. Mix that with coconut flour and some cinnamon and bake it up. I never measured... just add coconut flour until you get a cookie dough consistency.

In my research about sugar, I've learned that fructose specifically causes many health problems. There are some yummy low fructose and fructose free sweeteners out there that are a bit healthier. I like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Madhava-Organic-Cassava-Fructose-Sweetener/dp/B01A58ZBBE

[sonjak]

Thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone!

GreenSheep, I will definitely check out those websites!  I hadn't heard of any of them so I'm excited to see what's there.  I got a food processor for Xmas but haven't unpacked it yet.  I will soon.

I also really appreciate the banana ice cream suggestions.  I have had that before and like it but it is too cold right to have any desire for something cold.  :(  I will remember it for the future though.

mountains, thanks for your honesty and suggestion.  I didn't feel attacked, just supported and counseled.  :)  It's a really great point and something I can totally agree with.  As JakeJake said, I've been really careful about how much of it I'm eating and also portions.  I'm doing the Frugal January challenge as well and realizing that overeating isn't just unhealthy.  It also means that food doesn't last as long and therefore costs more.  I know that sounds obvious (and me stupid for not seeing it before) but combining the two goals has really helped me a lot to focus on more mindful eating, stopping when I've had enough and not when I'm full, etc.

example: I used to eat a full banana with my hot cereal in the morning and now I eat a half.  It means I buy half as many bananas and I'm getting that much less sugar too.  I feel good mentally and physically eating this way.  I also have dates which I could/will use for some baking but I want them to last as long as possible and not make me want to binge on them so I want to continue to be conscious of when/how much there.

I will check out stevia too, westtoeast.

Thanks all!
Sonja

[Rural]

I'll second the stevia recommendation - I grow mine and sweeten with stevia tea.


Also, try 2 ingredient "cookies": http://www.theburlapbag.com/2012/07/2-ingredient-cookies-plus-the-mix-ins-of-your-choice/


I generally add cocoa powder to mine and sometimes raisins.

[MBot]

This is different but still satisfying and pretty decent.  Still made with wheat flour but no added sugar.

http://www.lovefoodeat.com/healthy-banana-bread-whole-wheat-vegan-oil-free-and-sugar-free/

[SimpleCycle]

If you're open to Stevia, I love coconut panna cotta made with Stevia.  Replace maple syrup with stevia to taste.

http://detoxinista.com/2014/02/easy-coconut-panna-cotta-dairy-free-paleo/

I've never actually baked with stevia.  I find it far better to reduce the sugar in recipes than to use substitutes.

[sparkytheop]

Fudge babies, made with dates:

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/10/13/make-these-now/

"Original Fudge Babies

(paleo fudge balls)

1 cup walnuts (120 g)
1 and 1/3 cups pitted dates (220 g) (I often use SunMaid dates, which are super-soft.)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder
optional: 1/8 plus 1/16 tsp salt (I always add this)
optional: raw chocolate chips – recipe in the Chocolate-Covered Katie Cookbook

Blend all the ingredients, using a food processor, Magic Bullet, etc.  (No need to blend the dates first; I just blend everything all at once in a Cuisinart food processor, which works much better than a blender.) Roll into cutey-pie little balls.  (Use plastic wrap if you wish, or smush it all together in a plastic bag so it’ll stay together better.) Or, if you want true brownies, shape the dough into bars!"

[misshathaway]

You may have to be off sugar for awhile to appreciate this fully, but walnuts mixed in to plain full-fat Greek yogurt is a heavenly pleasure. It does not need any added sweetener.

[Fresh Bread]

Once you give up sugar everything tastes so sweet - yoghurt, carrots etc. You can also trick your brain by adding cinnamon and vanilla to things we associate those flavours with sugar.

I make this:

400g can light coconut cream
1/3 cup chia seed
A bit (1/2 a teaspoon?) of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla (maybe more if you are using essence)
Mix together and divide up into small bowls and put in fridge for 4 hrs or overnight. It will thicken up into a pudding, a bit like rice pudding. Serve with fresh fruit like blueberries.

You could also make rice pudding with no sugar added.

[ElleFiji]

A lot of old fashioned desserts are highly adaptable, because ingredient availability was variable. Rice pudding, steamed puddings, custard, all work with a lighter hand on the sugar, or sweetened and flavored with fruit.

[Ingon]

I'm trying to eat high-fat diet, which means minimizing my carbs aggressively. But once in a while I would crave for something sweet, but I still don't want to leave my diet. So I'll beat some heavy cream with a bit of stevia/splenda and coco powder, or pumkin spice, or choose your own adventure, but make sure its sugar free. I beat it by hand because I don't want it to be easy and I can control the process much more closely and make a really fluffy cream. Hope that helps.

[sonjak]

My default mode for the past year or so has been less sugar and desserts in general but during Nov/Dec, I was doing a lot of baking for work and for myself and people were bringing me treats too and it just got out of control.  I enjoyed trying some new recipes and with my new/renewed focus was missing that aspect of it too, with "the same old thing."  So I appreciate all the suggestions coming in!

MBot, I made the banana bread last night (I'm gf so replaced with home-ground gf grains).  I didn't have enough banana so I used some applesauce for some of the 2 cups and then didn't add the dates.  It definitely didn't taste like dessert (*very* faintly sweet) but it scratched the itch (it's banana bread!), so mission achieved for this weekend!  :)  I will probably try it with full bananas and no dates next time to see if it's a little more banana flavored and slightly sweeter without sugars.

I also checked out the website suggestions, GreenSheep, and some of those Straight Up Food recipes look so yummy.  Especially the dinner ones.  Have printed some to try.

I know you all are right about readjusting my taster too.  I have done this a little in the past but less committed and long-term as I am thinking I will do this time. 

Freshwater, thanks for the reminder of chia pudding with coconut milk!  I haven't made that in a long time.  I just restocked my coconut milk and I will kick myself in gear and do that for next weekend.  Simple, I have never heard of Panna Cotta, I will have to try that too.  It looks yummy!

Sparky, those look amazing and like I would eat too many of them.  haha

Regarding some of the other suggestions for dairy-based treats - I am allergic to dairy so only eat it occasionally but I am bookmarking this thread so I can come back to it for those times.  :)

thanks, all! 
Sonja

[MBot]

 

MBot, I made the banana bread last night (I'm gf so replaced with home-ground gf grains).  I didn't have enough banana so I used some applesauce for some of the 2 cups and then didn't add the dates.  It definitely didn't taste like dessert (*very* faintly sweet) but it scratched the itch (it's banana bread!), so mission achieved for this weekend!  :)  I will probably try it with full bananas and no dates next time to see if it's a little more banana flavored and slightly sweeter without sugars.

I'm glad you tried it! I forgot the dates last time. I found out it is definitely far sweeter with them! So I won't forget next time.  I am going to try it with half oat flour next time - I think that will make it a little better texture as well. That may work for you being gluten free, also.

[sonjak]

 

MBot, I made the banana bread last night (I'm gf so replaced with home-ground gf grains).  I didn't have enough banana so I used some applesauce for some of the 2 cups and then didn't add the dates.  It definitely didn't taste like dessert (*very* faintly sweet) but it scratched the itch (it's banana bread!), so mission achieved for this weekend!  :)  I will probably try it with full bananas and no dates next time to see if it's a little more banana flavored and slightly sweeter without sugars.

I'm glad you tried it! I forgot the dates last time. I found out it is definitely far sweeter with them! So I won't forget next time.  I am going to try it with half oat flour next time - I think that will make it a little better texture as well. That may work for you being gluten free, also.

Yes, I actually really like baking with oat flour for the texture.  I don't use it a lot though because eating too many oats can make me feel sick and I eat them a lot for breakfast (and so choose to change it up with my baking).

I did decide to just take a break from baking for awhile and focus on adding more variety in my regular dinners.  Made the chia pudding last weekend and tried a new pumpkin-chilli recipe which was really yummy and a coconut curry recipe which was pretty good but not good enough.  I will experiment some more!  :)