Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to desserts. Thanks to natural, sugar-free sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, and allulose, you can enjoy delicious sweet treats without worrying about blood sugar spikes. This article provides ten delectable, diabetic-friendly dessert recipes that are easy to make and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Understanding Sugar Substitutes

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s briefly discuss the star ingredients that make these desserts possible.

Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It’s calorie-free and doesn’t raise blood sugar levels, making it an excellent choice for diabetics. You can find it in liquid, powder, and granulated forms.

Monk Fruit

Monk fruit sweetener is extracted from a small, round fruit grown in Southeast Asia. Like stevia, it’s a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that won’t affect your blood sugar. It’s known for its clean, sweet taste without a bitter aftertaste.

Allulose

Allulose is a rare sugar that occurs naturally in small quantities in foods like figs, raisins, and wheat. It has the same taste and texture as sugar but with only a fraction of the calories and no impact on blood glucose.

10 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Dessert Recipes

1. Chocolate Avocado Mousse (Stevia)

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 0 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 cup powdered stevia
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Divide the mousse into four serving dishes and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 250, Fat: 20g, Carbohydrates: 15g, Fiber: 10g, Protein: 5g

Tips and Variations:

For a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of espresso powder. You can also top with fresh berries or chopped nuts.

2. Lemon Blueberry Scones (Monk Fruit)

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 15-20 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup granulated monk fruit sweetener
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• Zest of one lemon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, monk fruit sweetener, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in the blueberries and lemon zest.
6. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and shape it into a circle. Cut into 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Nutritional Information (per scone):

Calories: 350, Fat: 30g, Carbohydrates: 12g, Fiber: 5g, Protein: 8g

Tips and Variations:

For a finishing touch, you can drizzle a glaze made from powdered monk fruit sweetener and lemon juice over the cooled scones.

3. Keto Brownies (Allulose)

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 12
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 18 grams unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• 180 grams allulose
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup sugar-free chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the unsweetened chocolate until melted, then stir in the cocoa powder.
3. Stir in the allulose. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla, baking powder, and salt.
4. Stir in the almond flour until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. The center should be slightly underdone.
6. Let cool completely before slicing.

Nutritional Information (per brownie):

Calories: 150, Fat: 13g, Carbohydrates: 8g, Fiber: 3g, Protein: 4g

Tips and Variations:

Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor. Serve with a scoop of low-carb vanilla ice cream.

4. Raspberry Chia Seed Pudding (Stevia)

• Prep time: 5 minutes + 4 hours chilling
• Cook time: 0 minutes
• Servings: 2
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1-2 tablespoons powdered stevia, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the almond milk, raspberries, stevia, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a jar or bowl and stir in the chia seeds.
3. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then stir again to prevent clumping.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until the pudding is thick and creamy.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 200, Fat: 12g, Carbohydrates: 18g, Fiber: 12g, Protein: 6g

Tips and Variations:

You can use any type of berry you like. Top with shredded coconut, more berries, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.

5. No-Bake Cheesecake Bites (Monk Fruit)

• Prep time: 20 minutes + 2 hours chilling
• Cook time: 0 minutes
• Servings: 12
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tablespoons powdered monk fruit sweetener

Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered monk fruit sweetener
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. For the crust, combine the almond flour, melted butter, and monk fruit sweetener. Press about a tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each liner.
3. For the filling, beat the cream cheese and monk fruit sweetener together until smooth. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice, and beat until light and fluffy.
4. Spoon the filling over the crusts.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.

Nutritional Information (per bite):

Calories: 180, Fat: 17g, Carbohydrates: 4g, Fiber: 1g, Protein: 3g

Tips and Variations:

Top with a sugar-free fruit compote or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

6. Peanut Butter Cookies (Allulose)

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 12-15 minutes
• Servings: 18
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/2 cup allulose
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until well combined.
3. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Use a fork to press a crisscross pattern onto each cookie.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
6. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information (per cookie):

Calories: 100, Fat: 8g, Carbohydrates: 5g, Fiber: 1g, Protein: 4g

Tips and Variations:

Add some sugar-free chocolate chips or chopped peanuts to the dough for extra crunch.

7. Strawberry Sorbet (Stevia)

• Prep time: 5 minutes + freezing time
• Cook time: 0 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 4 cups frozen strawberries
• 1/4 cup water
• 2-3 tablespoons liquid stevia, to taste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy, using the tamper to push the fruit down if necessary.
3. Serve immediately for a soft-serve consistency, or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours for a firmer sorbet.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 60, Fat: 0g, Carbohydrates: 15g, Fiber: 4g, Protein: 1g

Tips and Variations:

You can substitute strawberries with other frozen fruits like mangoes, peaches, or a mix of berries.

8. Coconut Macaroons (Monk Fruit)

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20-25 minutes
• Servings: 16
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 cup granulated monk fruit sweetener
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until foamy.
3. Gradually add the monk fruit sweetener and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Gently fold in the vanilla extract, salt, and shredded coconut.
5. Drop rounded tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. Let cool completely on the baking sheet.

Nutritional Information (per macaroon):

Calories: 80, Fat: 7g, Carbohydrates: 3g, Fiber: 2g, Protein: 1g

Tips and Variations:

For a chocolate-dipped version, melt some sugar-free chocolate and dip the bottoms of the cooled macaroons.

9. Vanilla Panna Cotta (Allulose)

• Prep time: 10 minutes + 4 hours chilling
• Cook time: 5 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup allulose
• 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
• 1 packet (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to bloom.
2. In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, allulose, and vanilla bean seeds. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm and the allulose has dissolved. Do not let it boil.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin until it is completely dissolved.
4. Pour the mixture into six ramekins or serving glasses.
5. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 300, Fat: 30g, Carbohydrates: 5g, Fiber: 0g, Protein: 2g

Tips and Variations:

Serve with a fresh berry coulis or a drizzle of sugar-free caramel sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are these sweeteners safe for diabetics?

Yes, stevia, monk fruit, and allulose are considered safe for people with diabetes as they do not raise blood glucose levels.

Where can I buy these sweeteners?

You can find them in most grocery stores, health food stores, and online.

Can I use these sweeteners for all my baking?

While they are great for many recipes, they may not always behave exactly like sugar, especially in recipes that rely on sugar for browning and texture. It’s best to use recipes specifically developed for these sweeteners.