It is not uncommon for folks to pack on the pounds during the holiday season. Part of the reason why extra weight gain occurs is all the decadent, sugar laden desserts on offer. Some folks find them hard to resist. Well what if I told you that there is a way to enjoy holiday celebrations with your family and friends as well as help folks keep their waist lines in check? Would you believe me? If not, you should. As a former special events planner, I have served many sugar-free and low sugar treats during the holidays with nary a complaint in sight. With that said, here’s a quick look at several desserts that have met with rave reviews:
Fudge Mousse and Caramel-Nut Trifle
Do you want to serve a dessert that looks as sinful as it sounds? If so, you may want to consider whipping up a bowl of fudge mousse and caramel-nut trifle. It is made with Smucker’s sugar free products, sugar free cookies and sugar free whipped topping. Based on my experience, you can make a bowl of the trifle in less than 15 minutes. Because it needs to be refrigerated, you can also make it well in advance of your guests’ arrival. If you have never made the dessert before, there is a fudge mousse and caramel-nut trifle recipe posted on the Smucker’s website.
Sugar Reduced Pumpkin Pie
Many folks consider pumpkin pie as a holiday staple. Therefore, you may want to contemplate serving a low sugar version. In order to make the dessert, you’ll need a 9 inch pie shell, instant vanilla pudding (sugar free), canned pumpkin, skim milk and seasonings. I typically use ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. If you want to try making the pumpkin pie for yourself, there is a recipe available on the Recipe4Living website. The only difference between my pumpkin pie recipe and the one posted on the website is that it calls for whole milk. I prefer to use skim milk.
Sugar-Free Cheesecake
In my experience, sugar-free cheesecake makes a wonderful dessert as well. The only downside is that some sugar-free cheesecakes have a flavor and consistency that is about as appetizing as wallpaper paste. I’d suggest that you consider trying out several sugar-free cheesecake recipes until you find one that suits your taste. I have found that JELL-O makes a decent sugar-free, cheesecake pudding. I like serving it in a martini glass. I’ll typically top the pudding with sugar-free graham cracker crumbs and sugar-free chocolate shavings. Sometimes I’ll skip the chocolate shavings and top it with a small dollop of sugar-free fruit preserves instead. In my opinion, it has the flavor of a cheesecake without all the extra calories.
Source: Personal Experience
Killeen Gonzalez has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She is a former special events planner.
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