The birds are chirping, the days are longer, and the grass begins to grow back to its gorgeous, meadow green. The spring season is upon us, marked by the Oscars (with Oppenheimer’s Best Picture win) and Saint Patrick’s Day right around the corner. With the new season comes a fresh array of fruits that are ready to be picked and savored, including cherries, blueberries, raspberries, lemons, and more! If you are looking for some healthy recipes that incorporate fresh fruit, keep reading for some fruity treats that are low in sugar.
Wait, doesn’t fruit contain sugar?
Yes, fruit does contain sugar. However, the sugar in fruit is natural sugar, not added sugar. Added sugar is the type of sugar that health professionals recommend people stray away from. They are added to foods as the food is being processed. They can add unnecessary calories to your diet without providing proper nutrients, so they can have negative effects on your weight and heart health.
However, not all sugar is bad for you. While added sugars can be detrimental to a healthy diet, the natural sugars in fruits do not pose a problem because these foods also contain vitamins, minerals, and fibers that are beneficial for your body.
A healthy diet isn’t about cutting back on all sugars—it's about cutting back on the wrong sugars. Here are some recipes with fruits that are low in added sugar, perfect for the warmer weather outside.
Blueberry Muffins
Want a healthy breakfast food? Try Sweetleaf’s reduced-sugar blueberry muffins, perfect for your morning!
Ingredients:
2¾ Cups Flour
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
¼ Tsp. Salt
¼ Tsp. Nutmeg
1/8 cup 50% Reduced Calorie Cane Sugar
1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 Egg
1 Cup Plain Yogurt
1 Cup Blueberries
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease 2 muffin tins or line with muffin liners.
- In a large bowl sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, whisk together SweetLeaf® 50% Reduced Calorie Cane Sugar, oil, vanilla, egg, and yogurt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl.
- Add blueberries and combine. Keeping a handful of blueberries aside for later.
- Add the mixture to muffin tins or muffin liners.
- Take the remaining blueberries and add 3-5 on top of each muffin.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes and then allow to cool.
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Enjoy!
Sugar-Free Yogurt Parfait with Fresh Berries
This easy-to-make yogurt parfait is a great option for a healthy morning treat.
Ingredients:
1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1/2 Cup Fresh Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Or Raspberries)
5 drops SteviaClear® Sweet Drops®, 288 Servings
Optional Toppings
1 Tbsp Nuts, Chopped (Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts)
1 Tbsp Shredded Coconut
1 Tsp Chia Seeds
Directions:
- In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt and SweetLeaf® Sweet Drops® Clear® with a spoon until the mixture is a creamy consistency.
- Take a tall glass or small bowl for your parfait and add a layer of yogurt to the bottom. Add berries and nuts between layers of yogurt until you reach the top.
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Enjoy!
Lemon Bars
These low-sugar lemon bars are perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients:
For The Crust
1 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1/3 cup Indulge Powder
1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, Chilled And Cubed
1/4 Tsp Fine Sea Salt
For The Filling
4 Large Eggs
1 1/4 cups Indulge Granular
3/4 Cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 Tsp Lemon Zest
Fresh Raspberries, For Topping Optional
Directions:
Crust
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, SweetLeaf® indulge™ Powder, cubed butter, and fine sea salt.
- Using a pastry cutter, or just your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press crumbly mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking pan, making sure to create an even layer.
- Pop it in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
Filling
- While the crust is baking it’s time to make the filling.
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, SweetLeaf® indulge™ Granular, freshly squeezed lemon juice, all-purpose flour, and lemon zest until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Once your crust is out of the oven, let it cool for about 5 minutes, then pour your lemon filling over the top.
- Spread it out evenly and then send it back to the oven for another 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggly.
- Take the pan out of the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- For the best results, pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When you're ready to serve, just lift the lemon bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and transfer to a cutting board.
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Cut into squares and enjoy!
Low-Sugar Raspberry Sherbet
Looking for a colder treat to combat the warmer weather outside? Try this raspberry sherbet!
Ingredients:
2 Cups Yogurt
¼ Cup Milk
½ Cup Raspberry Juice
1 Tbsp. Fresh Orange Juice
1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/8 cup 50% Reduced Calorie Coconut Sugar
1 Banana
Directions:
- In a blender blend all ingredients together until smooth.
- Pour into ice cream maker and churn until it becomes the consistency of ice cream.
- Use an ice cream scooper to serve into bowls or keep in the freezer and thaw for 5 minutes before serving.
- Optional to add fresh raspberries or sprinkles.
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Enjoy!
Monk Fruit Sweetened Cherry Pie
Here's an easy, healthy cherry pie recipe for Pi Day coming up this week.
Ingredients:
4 Cups Fresh Or Frozen Tart Cherries
1 Cup Granular Monk Fruit Sweetener Bag, 800 Grams
4 Tbsp Cornstarch
Topping
1 Tbsp Granular Monk Fruit Sweetener Bag, 800 Grams
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place cherries in a medium saucepan over medium heat on the stove.
- In a small bowl, mix SweetLeaf® Granular Monk Fruit Sweetener and cornstarch together.
- Pour this mixture into the cherries on the stove and mix well.
- Cook over low heat until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Pour cooled cherry mixture into crust (you can use store-bought or make your own).
- Sprinkle with SweetLeaf® Granular Monk Fruit Sweetener.
- Bake for about 50 minutes or until desired doneness. Remove from oven and place on rack to cool.