Low-Carb Desserts

Everyone wants something sweet every once in a while, even people who are on low-carb diets. Luckily, there are many dessert recipes that limit refined flours and sugars, both of which are enemies of low-carb dieters.

Low-carb recipes that allow you to indulge your sweet tooth are a fantastic addition to any recipe box. As a plus, many low-carb desserts are easy to make, even for those that are new to low-carb cooking!

Flourless Chocolate Cake

(makes eight servings)

Are you on a low-carb diet and craving chocolate cake? If so, try this delicious low-carb dessert recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecans
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup artificial sweetener
• 1/2 cup water
• fat-free whipped topping
• low-fat chocolate sauce

Directions

1. Put the pecans into a food processor and pulse until they resemble a fine meal. Add the other dry ingredients (cocoa, baking powder and salt), pulsing after each addition.
2. Add the wet ingredients (eggs, vanilla, sweetener and water), and pulse until well mixed.
3. Pour mixture into a well-greased nine-inch spring form pan and bake at 350 ˚F for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
5. Serve with fat-free whipped topping and drizzle with low-fat chocolate sauce.

Coconut Macaroons

(makes about one dozen cookies, depending on size)

These cookies are great when you want a small sweet treat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup egg whites (usually about 4 eggs'' worth)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup liquid Splenda
• 2 Tbsp water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 ˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the egg whites, vanilla, liquid sweetener and water. Add the coconut. The mixture will begin to stiffen. Let it sit for a few minutes before shaping the cookies.
3. Roll the mixture into balls that are approximately one inch in diameter. Place them on the baking sheet and flatten them just a bit with the palm of your hand.
4. Turn the oven down to 325 ˚F and bake the cookies for approximately 15 minutes, or until the bottoms begin to brown.

Low-Fat, Low-Carb Cheesecake

(makes eight servings)

This delicious cheesecake makes a perfect low-carb dessert!

Ingredients

• 1 reduced-fat, ready-made graham cracker crust
• 2 eight-ounce packages fat-free cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup egg substitute
• 1/4 cup liquid Splenda
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 ˚F.
2. In a mixer on low speed, combine milk and flour.
3. Add cream cheese and beat well.
4. Add egg substitute, sweetener, lemon juice and vanilla.
5. Pour the mixture into the crust and bake for 40 minutes, or until center is set.
6. Chill in refrigerator before serving.

Making Your Favorite Desserts Low-Carb

Almost everyone has a dessert they simply love. Often, this is the one dessert people who are on low-carb diets have problems resisting. Luckily, just because you''re on a low-carb diet doesn''t mean you can''t fit your favorite desserts into your low-carb lifestyle.

With a little experimentation, you can probably change some of your favorite high-carb desserts into low-carb treats that won''t wreak havoc on your diet. Here are some ways to change your favorite recipes into more carb-friendly versions:

• Substitute liquid Splenda for sugar.
• Substitute nut flours, such as almond flour, for regular flour.