Everybody needs to satisfy their sweet tooth every once in a while. These scrumptious desserts—from warm, cozy cake to refreshingly fruity ice cream—will definitely do the trick. Plus, each recipe relies on complex carbs, like whole grains, and sticks to heart-healthy levels of sodium and saturated fat for a diabetes-friendly treat you can feel good about. Recipes like our Flourless Chocolate Cookies and Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark are healthy ways to add some sweetness to your day while meeting your nutrition goals.
Diabetes is a widespread medical condition in which blood sugar rises above ideal levels. Having diabetes does not mean that one will have to keep craving sweets and desserts throughout one’s life and never get to eat them. There are various kinds of foods that you can eat to satisfy your sweet tooth. The best part with these desserts and sweets is that they can help your sweet tooth without allowing your blood sugar level to increase in rapid and alarming ways.
All you need to do is make some adjustments to regular sweets and desserts so that they can suit your needs. Remember that your blood sugar levels are not affected only by the amount of sugar you consume but also by the amount of carbohydrates you put in your body. So, to prepare a dessert or sweet that you can eat without worrying about the blood sugar going up, you must take care of 2 things: total carbohydrates and simple sugars.
Take a bite out of our easy and diabetic-friendly dessert recipes—including cookies, bars, pies and more. These simple ideas will satisfy any sweet tooth!
For our daughter’s wedding, a friend made this lovely, angel food cake from a recipe she’s used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I’ve found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa
Go to Recipe
Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Craving a childhood classic? These sugar-free chocolate chip cookies will bring you all the comfort and joy you remember. Savor the crisp, lightly browned edges or dunk in a tall glass of cold milk. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin Snack Cake
The crunchy, sweet topping makes this simple pumpkin snack cake taste extra special. If you prefer a sweeter cake, omit the topping and spread with your favorite frosting instead. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dutch Apple Pie Tartlets
These adorable mini apple pie pastries make a delightful addition to a dessert buffet or snack tray. The recipe calls for convenient frozen phyllo shells, so they’re surprisingly easy to prepare. The lemon curd filling adds a unique flavor twist. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Dream Cupcakes
My grandchildren absolutely love these cream-filled cupcakes, and I hope the chocolaty treats become a favorite in your home as well. —Dorothy Bahlmann, Clarksville, Iowa
Root Beer Float Pie
This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don’t even need to use an oven. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Air-Fryer Apple Fritters
An air fryer makes these easy apple fritters healthier than old-fashioned fritters, yet they are still just as delicious. They’re a quick and easy dessert that includes a scrumptious brown butter glaze! —Alyssa Castriotta, North Scituate, Rhode Island
Strawberry Banana Pudding
I add in additional fruit to get a little closer to all those servings you need every day. You can also try using different flavored puddings and fruit to switch up the recipe. —Jackie Termont, Richmond, Virginia
Soft Honey Cookies
These old-fashioned honey cookies have a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York
Sweet Potato Frozen Yogurt Pops
Once I had my little girl I quickly became really creative in the kitchen, needing to have healthy foods on hand. These frozen treats turned out to be a favorite and are a staple in our home. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Pear Tart
My sister-in-law brought this pretty pastry to dinner one night, and we all went back for seconds. It is truly scrumptious. —Kathryn Rogers, Suisun City, California
Cranberry Pear Tart
This homey tart looks and tastes like apple pie, except it uses pears! Each serving has half the calories of an average pie slice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Strawberry Lemon Trifle
This refreshingly fruity dessert is one of our favorites. It looks so beautiful layered in a glass bowl that people will think it took ages to make. The secret is starting with a purchased angel food cake. —Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington
Grilled Peaches ‘n’ Berries
With only five ingredients, this delightful dessert is so easy to prepare. Just halve peaches and sprinkle with fresh blueberries and a brown sugar mixture. Because they’re grilled in foil, there are no messy dishes to wash. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie
Even those on restricted diets should be able to enjoy a good piece of pie once in a while. This creamy, wonderful dessert is a treat for the whole family. Folks are shocked to discover it’s not loaded with sugar and fat. —Marijean Ackers, Riverside, California
Upside-Down Blood Orange Cupcakes
Making blood orange cupcakes is my favorite way to use fresh blood oranges. I start with a cake mix and bump up the flavor with essential oil. No one knows these cupcakes are not from scratch. —Monica Chadha, Fremont, California
Sugar-Free Chocolate Fudge
I’m borderline diabetic, but this sugar-free fudge made with sugar substitute appeases my sweet tooth. —Kaye Hartley, Jacksonville, Florida
This healthy snickers recipe can easily satisfy any sweet tooth, as well.
Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls
I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
If you have a sweet tooth, you know that skipping sweets simply won’t do when a craving strikes. But if you are managing your blood sugars, you also know that eating too many sweets at one time may cause your blood glucose levels to spike—and nobody wants that.
While it may be tempting to toss those beloved sugary donuts or chocolatey puddings in your grocery cart, eating these refined carb-rich foods too frequently can work against your health goals. Thankfully, there are some sweet-tasting treats that you can enjoy that will offer some better blood sugar management support while still keeping your taste buds happy.
Finding blood sugar-friendly sweets is simple to do with a little know-how. Opting for choices that do not have a large quantity of added sugars is the most important first step when navigating the quest of finding the best desserts for your needs. Choosing options that contain some fiber, protein, and/or fat may help manage your blood sugars as well, as these nutrients help slow the digestion process, ultimately helping to reduce the risk of experiencing a blood sugar spike.
If you are a sweets lover and you prioritize stable blood sugars, toss some of these desserts in your grocery cart to enjoy along with your balanced and nutrient-dense diet. Because ignoring your sweets craving simply isn’t an option.
Courtesy of Halo Top
This pint of Chocolate Cake Batter light ice cream is lower in sugar compared to ordinary ice cream, and it is the perfect flavor to celebrate with every day. Having both protein and fiber in desserts may help manage blood sugars in a natural way. And since Halo Top Chocolate Cake Batter has 18 grams of protein and 17 grams of fiber per pint, this dessert has the key nutrients that may make a difference in our outcomes.
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Courtesy of Unreal
When a hankering for the classic tasty combo of dark chocolate and peanut butter comes on, grabbing a perfectly portioned UNREAL Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup can fit the bill. Each cup is individually wrapped, making portion control management much easier to accomplish.
And with 6 grams of fat and some fiber and protein in each cup, there is a balance of blood sugar-balancing macros that make this treat a nice option for many people who are focused on their blood sugar management. Bonus? The taste is seriously incredible, and you’d never know they are made with 36% less sugar than the leading chocolate peanut butter cups.
Courtesy of Instacart
Wild blueberries have that gorgeous blue hue thanks to the anthocyanin pigment that they naturally contain. Data has shown that anthocyanin intake may be linked to lowered fasting plasma glucose and increased insulin sensitivity. Another study looking at three different groups of anthocyanins found that blueberries may help to induce insulin secretion (which is a common problem for people with type 2 diabetes). Bonus? Wild blueberries have a natural sweetness with no added sugar.
Wyman’s wild blueberries contain up to 33% more anthocyanins than ordinary blueberries, making them a perfect choice for a dessert topper or ingredient. Add them to yogurt, incorporate in a cobbler, or make this Wild Blueberry Sorbet for a delicious dessert with antioxidants!
Courtesy of Clio
With 7 grams of protein and only one gram of sugar per bar, these yogurt snacks can be a perfect sub for a creamy cheesecake craving. The fat and fiber found in these bars certainly don’t hurt the blood sugar-supporting cause either. Dipped in chocolate and sweetened with stevia, these bars are a great portion-controlled option that everyone can sink their teeth into.
Courtesy of Skinny Dipped
Chocolate-covered nuts are always a delicious choice. But sometimes, these classic snacks are loaded with way too much chocolate and not enough nut. SkinnyDipped only adds a thin layer of chocolate to these snacks, making them a better-for-you choice with 5 grams of protein and far less sugar than many of the other options on the market.
Courtesy of Mavericks
Maverick Cookies have 40% less sugar than the leading kids cookie, along with 3 grams of fiber and a bit of protein.
For any cookie monsters who know that eating too many chocolate chunks or oatmeal raisins is not a good idea when it comes to blood sugar management, know that you can still enjoy your favorite food by leaning on some better-for-you options.
Courtesy of Walmart
Ditch your traditional sandwich cookies that are loaded with sugar for these low-sugar treats. With only 2 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein, these perfectly portable packs of sandwich cookies are designed to be a sweet lunch box treat. Plant-based with no artificial ingredients and available in two traditional flavors, these cookies are a big win.
Courtesy of Core Foods
A rich fudgy treat that is keto friendly with only 1 gram of net carbs is a perfect choice that won’t result in a major blood sugar spike. And with 5 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, these bites have a nice balance of macros that people focused on keeping their blood sugars in check can enjoy.
Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, CLEC
Dessert doesn’t have to be a bad word for those with diabetes. As long as you steer clear of treats with OTT sugar and carb contents, dessert can be part of a healthy eating regimen. From Popsicles and frozen yogurt bites to cheesecake fat bombs and pudding, get your fix with these diabetic dessert recipes that keep the carb count tight and right while still satisfying your sweet tooth with limited sugar.
Frozen Berry Yogurt Bites
Seriously, how can you resist a medley of sweet and tart fruit surrounded by dreamy (and creamy) yogurt? We recommend using sugar-free yogurt or good ol’ plain yogurt without any additions to the two-ingredient recipe. (via I Heart Naptime)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 5.2 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
Greek Yogurt Chocolate Fudge Pops
Chocolate and yogurt come together for a healthified Fudgsicle. Instead of the semi-sweet chocolate chips as called for in the recipe, use sugar-free chocolate or 100 percent cacao baking chocolate to minimize carbs. And opt for a sugar-free or plain yogurt and unsweetened almond milk to lessen that overall carb count. (via Baker by Nature)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 14 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
No-Bake Energy Bites
Made with oats, coconut flakes, flaxseed, peanut butter, and vanilla, these energy bites get a hint of sweetness from mini chocolate chips and honey or maple syrup. (via Culinary Hill)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 13 grams
Coconut Lime Raspberry Chia Pudding
Summer berries are put to good use in this gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian recipe that’s as easy as fill, shake, and spoon. Go for unsweetened shredded coconut to keep sugar levels as low as possible. (via Skinny Taste)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 15 grams
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Mix cream cheese with Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract to make this easy cheesecake dip. Serve with your favorite fruit. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 11 grams
Banana Bread Oat Protein Smoothie
Step away from that communal plate of sliced cakes and breads. Next time you’ve got a hankering for a sweet loaf, whip up this protein-packed smoothie that is even more delicious than it looks. Because four inches of a banana can have up to 15 grams of sugar, only use that amount when whipping up your smoothie. Even with that adjustment, this smoothie has 30 grams of carbs, so split the smoothie with a friend to stay under 15 grams. (via The Roasted Root)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 15 grams (per 1/2 smoothie)
Glowing Berry Fruit Salad
This fruit medley is exactly what every plate should be: delicious, nutritious, and vibrant in color. We love the addition of chopped herbs for a savory taste. Omit the honey, and you’ll have an equally sweet bite. In addition, stick to a serving size of roughly 3/4 to one cup, depending on the carb levels of the fruit you choose, to stay within the recommended carb amount. (via Little Spice Jar)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 15 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
Low-Fat Cappuccino Pudding
Coffee lovers, rejoice. This cinnamon-dusted pudding is going to give you your caffeine fix in an unexpected and unbelievably tasty way. (via Live Laugh Rowe)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 12.7 grams
Coconut Milk Popsicles
Be sure to use full-fat unsweetened coconut milk for these Popsicles that get a hint of sweetness from granulated sugar. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Berry Mini Cheesecake Smoothies
If the very thought of cheesecake makes you smile all over, then you’re in for a real creamy and fruity treat. We are *totally* here for the addition of the toasted nuts adding protein and texture. To keep each serving size under 15 grams of carbs, divide the cheesecake smoothie into seven cups. (via Cotter Crunch)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 13.1 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
The magic of creamy avocado and melted chocolate create this healthy (and easy) mousse to serve for romantic dinners or a night in watching your favorite shows on Netflix. Use sugar-free stevia as the sweetener and at least 70 percent dark chocolate, so you can indulge in the whole pot de crème. (via Well Plated)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 14.6 grams (with low-carb substitutions)
No-Bake Keto Cheesecake Bits
Made with peanut butter, oats, and coconut, these cream cheese fat bombs taste a lot like cheesecake with sweetening from erythritol. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 1 gram
Pickled Blackberry and Grapefruit Salad
For a twist on an all-time favorite, grab some vinegar and pickling spice. The flavor combo will give you a pop of sweetness AND a burst of tartness. Please note: One cup of blackberries has 14 grams of carbs, while 1/2 of a grapefruit contains 15. (via The View From Great Island)
Snowball Keto Christmas Cookies
These may be Christmas cookies, but we think you can make them any time of year. With almond flour and calorie-free erythritol as sweetener, these are about as low-carb and low-sugar as it gets. (via The Endless Meal)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 3 grams
Berry Nice Cream
No need to grab your wallet for the ice cream truck, instead freeze some strawberries, blueberries, and bananas for an ice cream scoop that’s so refreshing, there’s no need for any toppings. Though we may sound like a broken record, monitor your portion of Nice Cream, as bananas especially are high in carbs. Divide this recipe into eight (rather than four) to stay under 15 grams. (via The Roasted Root)
Total Carbs Per Serving: 14.8 grams
(Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts)
Photo: Alpha Smoot
It’s a common misconception that people with diabetes can’t eat dessert. No matter if you have Type 1, a chronic condition in which the body produces little to no insulin, or Type 2, when the body resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough, diabetics can eat anything they want, so long as they do so in moderation. This is key, since carbohydrates, like starches and sugars, are the main contributor to glucose response; it’s important to be mindful about what you’re consuming, especially for dessert.
All types of dessert foods can be incorporated into diets for people with diabetes. “Combining carbohydrates with protein and fat, as well as choosing higher fiber carbohydrate sources, can produce a more modest rise in glucose that is easier to match to the body’s natural insulin or medications,” says Kirptich. When it comes to dessert, she suggests adding nut butters or higher fat dairy to balance out a quicker rising refined carbohydrate choice—or choose natural sugars that are easier on the body.
When in doubt, a go-to way to have better blood sugars and still eat dessert is to monitor your portion sizes. Both Kirpitch and Ileana Vargas, MD, MS, the assistant professor of pediatrics pediatric endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Columbia University Medical Center, recommend splitting a dessert with a friend. That way, you can still eat what you’re craving, but limit the carbohydrate intake.
Another option is to choose a dessert that won’t spike your blood sugar (or is safe to eat mindfully or in moderation). Our collection of diabetes-friendly desserts includes cheesecake, chocolate pudding, custard pie with fresh fruit, and cookies. All these recipes combine fiber, fats, carbohydrates, and other nutritious components.
Dark Chocolate Dipped Cherries
Paola + Murray
Who doesn’t love an individual dessert? These cream “pies” have a graham cracker crust, a dreamy coconut custard, whipped cream and a topping of toasted coconut.
Almond-Coconut Chewy Chocolate Cookies
A fudgy, gluten-free dough made with almond flour and cocoa and packed with roasted almonds, coconut, and bittersweet chocolate. These irresistible treats are reminiscent of macaroons—but better (and diabetes-friendly!).
Dark chocolate meets date paste in these irresistible confections. Roll them in chopped pistachios, toasted coconut, sesame seeds, or a lightly sweetened mixture of cinnamon and cocoa powder.
Berries With Buttermilk and Honey
Berries have some of the lowest carbohydrate counts of all fruit and taste delicious when paired with buttermilk and a light drizzle of honey. You can even swap the buttermilk for your favorite nut milk for an even lower carb dessert, recommends Kirpitch.
Lighter Chocolate Cinnamon Pudding
Kirpitch says the fat in the chocolate may balance out the milk in this delicious dessert, lessening a rise in glucose that many people with diabetes experience.
No-Bake Ricotta Blueberry Cheesecake
This no-bake cheesecake for a crowd is full of fats that help slow down the absorption of the sugar, helping you maintain better numbers. However, portion size is important—smaller is better.
Five Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies
Kirpitch calls out the almond butter, which is used in place of both flour and butter, in this recipe as a diabetes-friendly ingredient, since it provides more protein. “Using whole grains where possible will also help with increasing the fiber and nutrition content without sacrificing taste,” she says.
Dark Chocolate Walnut Date Bar
This dessert gets its sweetness from dates, while the walnuts add better-for-you fats to the mix. It’s a delicious option for anyone, including those with diabetes who are looking to watch their blood sugars.
Blueberry Ricotta Tart
Dr. Vargas likes this option. Full of vitamin-rich blueberries and protein-packed almonds, this tart is as tasty as it is easy on your blood sugars, making it great for diabetics and even better for your taste buds.
Lemon Cream With Blackberries
With only 15 minutes of prep time and five ingredients, this sweet treat is a go-to dessert that any diabetic is sure to enjoy.
Chocolate-Soy Panna Cotta
The intense flavor of chocolate pairs perfectly with this soy-based panna cotta for a silky sweet treat.
Packed with healthy fats from macadamia nuts, these desserts have nutrient-rich components like wheat germ and eggs to help mitigate any blood sugar spikes.
Lemon Basil Custard Pie With Red Berries
A taste of lemon custard is always a good idea. The fat in the custard makes this dessert easier on the blood sugars.
Big Batch Triple Chocolate Brownie Bars
Make these chocolatey bars for the chocolate lover in your life. There’s plenty to go around thanks to our recipe that yields 54. Eggs, nuts, and three types of chocolate come together for a low-glycemic index dessert.
Peanut Butter Cup Tart
The higher fat content in this sweet treat offsets the sugar, making it a diabetes friendly recipe. And, it’s nothing short of decadent.
Light Cherry Cheesecake
Who doesn’t love cheesecake? The recipe calls for less than 1 cup of sugar, only 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and a slew of lower fat dairy products for a deceivingly better-for-you treat.
Roasted Cherries With Tofu “Panna Cotta”
A package of silken tofu is the perfect dupe to the classic panna cotta. This recipe calls for fresh cherries and raspberries and only 3 tablespoons of fresh honey.
Chocolate Birch Bark
With only two ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, this chocolate-filled sweet is just the thing, whether you’re diabetic or not.
This satisfying treat is the perfect summer sweet, and it’s also great for diabetics. Dr. Vargas suggests swapping the jam for a sugar-free iteration or fresh berries for a lower carbohydrate, protein-packed dessert.
Our easy diabetic dessert recipes will be helpful when you’re planning sweet treats for your family. Check out our sugar-free dessert recipes like our kid-friendly gummy worms or a tasty diabetic cookie recipe like our Lickety Split Lemon Oaties. Even though these recipes are perfect for someone with diabetes, all your friends and family will love them, too!
Cakes & Cupcakes
Let’s face it, everyone loves cake and cupcakes; and now you don’t have to miss out! We’ve put together a selection of easy, diabetic-friendly dessert recipes for you to try. Whether you need a hearty slice of cake, or a beautifully decorated cupcake, we’ve got something we’re sure you’ll love!
The combination of peanut butter and bananas in this easy cake recipe makes it sinfully divine. Don’t be surprised at how fast this Banana Peanut Butter Cake will disappear!
Wanna catch someone’s attention? Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes combine everybody’s favorites into a cheesecake-filled chocolate cupcake. They’re amazing!
Mamma Mia – this diabetic cake recipe is spectacular! Our Little Italy Cake has a lovely lemon flavor that makes it perfect for anytime of the year. Plus, there’s a bonus – it’s low-carb and gluten-free too!
Sure, you’ve probably had a good cake, and maybe even a great cake, but have you ever had a Better-Than-Anything Cake? This make-ahead poke cake is moist, creamy, crunchy, chocolatey, and most importantly, diabetic-friendly!
Warm and sweet spices make our Ginger Spice Cupcakes a holiday favorite. But why wait ’til then? With whole wheat flour, unsweetened applesauce and egg whites, you can enjoy this guilt-free treat all year long.
This cake is so light and so refreshing you’ll think you’ve stepped into a dream. Truth is, our Orange Dream Angel Cake reminds us of those orange and cream pops we dream about in the summertime. You and your gang are going to love this no-bake dessert!
Cookies & Brownies
When we were putting together this collection of diabetic dessert recipes, we knew we couldn’t leave out the classics. Cookies and brownies are always a crowd pleaser, because they’re perfect for any occasion. Serve one of these delightful easy, sugar-free recipes at your next party, or keep them around the house for a midnight snack! Either way, you’ll get to enjoy the guilt-free goodness.
Lickety Split Lemon Oaties are a great change-of-pace cookie, especially when you’re looking for something light but packed with flavor.
The first time we tried these Black Bean Brownies, we couldn’t believe how rich and fudgy they were! No one here would have guessed that they were diabetic friendly, or that they were made with black beans! It’s safe to say, we can’t get enough of ’em!
Not only are these Ooey Gooey Marbled Brownies a sight to behold, they are also pretty tasty! Plus, low-fat ingredients hep keep your carbs and calories under control, allowing you to indulge in a small amount of sweetness every now and then.
You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to heaven when you bite into these pillowy-soft Chocolate Chip Cloud Cookies. Who knew that a low-carb cookie recipe could taste so light and airy?
Is it a brownie or a cookie? Well, it’s kind of both, which is why we call these “Brookies!” Take these chocolate cookies to your next potluck, get-together, or holiday party, and watch as they gobble ’em all up!
Using cake mix as a shortcut for cookies is a great time-saver. Not to mention, the sugar-free cake mix we use is a diabetes delight! With just a few easy ingredients you can enjoy a freshly baked batch of Shortcut Snickerdoodles!
If your idea of indulging involves rich chocolate brownies, then you’re in for a treat! Our Skinny Brownies are so delicious, you would never guess they were made from healthier ingredients!
Pies & Puddings
We’re not exactly sure who the inventors of modern day pie and pudding are, but we’d like to find out and shake their hands! Pies and puddings have become a staple of dessert, and now they’re diabetic-friendly! All the flavors you love, from that perfect creamy chocolate to those bright and fresh fruity notes, pies and puddings are perfect for creating a tasty dessert that is sure to impress everyone you know!
This sinfully rich-tasting Creamy Lime Pie complete with chocolate cookie crumb crust is completely guilt-free! Yes you can enjoy all the tastes you crave from a bakery-style favorite!
You’re going to love the contrast of the creamy pudding, crunchy macadamia nuts and refreshing mandarin oranges in our Hawaiian-Style Pudding! Is it light enough for a healthy diet? You bet it is!
Know what? There was homemade pudding before there was pudding in boxes and flip-top cans. And if you want to get back to homemade goodness, try this Homemade Chocolate Pudding that’s quick, quick, quick, and, not to mention, much better for you!
You’d never guess that our Creamy Dreamy Banana Pie is guilt-free. Honest! It tastes as good as the real thing, but no one has to know you used lighter ingredients to make this diabetic dessert recipe.
Make strawberries the star of your dessert menu with our diabetic-friendly recipe for Crustless Strawberry Pie. This low-carb strawberry pie is beautiful to serve at outdoor picnics and get-togethers, or anytime of the year when you need a burst of fruit and color!
Our recipe for Tiramisu Pie puts a quirky twist on a time-honored classic! Even though we’ve made it diabetic-friendly, it’s still full of that great coffee flavor you love!
You don’t have to ignore your sweet tooth when it’s telling you to eat something rich and creamy. Our Decadent Peanut Butter Pudding Pie uses lighter ingredients, but has so much flavor you’d never even know!
Miscellaneous Desserts
Have you ever wanted something sweet after dinner, but didn’t know what would hit the spot? Us too! That’s why we’ve brought together this selection of miscellaneous desserts! They may seem random, but each one is a diabetic dessert designed to blow your mind with flavor, creativity, and fun! From candy to eclairs, let’s get cooking!
Flashy Fruit Tarts are a healthy and enjoyable dessert that the whole family will love. Using store-bought tart shells will have you looking like a professional pastry chef without even breaking a sweat!
Forget those sugar-packed gummy worms from the candy store! Make your own Sugar-Free Gummy Worms at home and feel better about having the kids snack on these after school!
Oh, the simple and tasty pleasure of a ripe and juicy summer peach! Our Summer’s Best Peach Crumble is a warm and comforting diabetic dessert that lets you enjoy this classic recipe anytime of the year.
Cozy and warm fruit-filled desserts like our Golden Apple Treat are the perfect ending to a meal on a chilly night. Best part, we’ve come up with a recipe that tastes indulgent, but is diabetes-friendly, so you can dig in without feeling guilty.
If you’re looking for the ultimate dessert presentation, make this Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle in parfait glasses so the decadent layers can win you loads of raves!
Apricot spread and pecans come together in this easy, no-bake dessert. Our Plantation Apricot Tarts will keep your sweet tooth satisfied without adding too many calories to your diet.
If you love these recipes, then you’ll love this FREE eCookbook!
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Caramelized Spiced Pears
Serve these caramelized pear slices over ice cream, stir into plain yogurt or enjoy as a topping for pancakes or waffles. Brown-skinned Bosc pears hold their shape during cooking, but any variety of pears tastes delicious.
Apple Crisp
There’s nothing like this old-fashioned apple dessert recipe to top off a good dinner. It’s low in calories and can be made even lower if prepared with sugar substitute.
Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
All you need are four simple ingredients to make healthier crispy peanut butter balls that kids and grownups will love. Make this easy recipe for a bite-size treat, on-the-go snack or easy homemade gift. You can swap the peanut butter for almond butter or even sunflower seed butter if you need a nut-free snack for school.
Watermelon Sherbet
The only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Kids and adults alike will love this easy peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe, which–unlike most cookie recipes–doesn’t call for flour. These gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy and, with only five simple ingredients, they can easily be whipped up by young chefs and enjoyed as an after-school treat. They’re also perfect for a holiday party or for a cookie swap.
Apple Crumble with Oats
Leaving the skins on the apples provides fiber and vitamins, so this diabetic-friendly dessert is not only good tasting but also good for you.
No-Sugar-Added Vegan Oatmeal Cookies
Soft, chewy and no added sugar! Sweeten these classic oatmeal cookies with ripe bananas and raisins or dates. Plus, a touch of nut butter adds lots of flavor and holds the cookies together while keeping them vegan and gluten-free.
Apple-Oatmeal Cookies
These healthy apple cookies made with oats, shredded apples and brown sugar make snack time enjoyable for everybody.
Brownie Cookies
Cocoa powder and brown sugar make this easy drop cookie recipe taste like rich brownies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. If you are on a keto diet with the advise of your doctor or nutritionist, then yes the keto desserts are diabetic friendly as they are low in carbohydrates and have almost no refined sugars.
What is a good diabetic dessert recipe?
A. A fruit sorbet is a perfect dessert to try as it tastes great. Take some strawberries and bananas and freeze them for at least 2 hours. Add the frozen fruit in a blender and process them until smooth. You can try adding a touch or organic or homemade peanut butter as well for additional nutrients and flavour. You can have the sorbet immediately or chill for a while.
What desserts can I buy for a diabetic?
A. There is a large number of desserts that a person with diabetes can eat without worrying about increased sugar levels. Some of them are granola bars with no sugar added, frozen yoghurt bites made with plain Greek yoghurt and berries, and low sugar avocado mousse. Other desserts include wheat crackers with nut butter and chia seed pudding.
What kind of baked goods can diabetics eat?
A. Though most baked goods have a high carbohydrate content which is undesirable for a diabetes patient, there are many baked food options that a person with diabetes can eat. These include whole-wheat orange cake, sweets with dark chocolate and gelatin desserts. All these baked items have a small amount of carbohydrates and sugars. When taken in small servings, these can satisfy the sweet tooth without increasing the risk of blood sugar going up.
Is ice cream OK for diabetics?
A. Yes, people with diabetes can eat ice creams. However, you need to be careful of the type of ice cream you choose to eat. Make sure that it has less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per half serving as carbohydrate content of more than 20 grams per half serving can raise your blood sugar levels. Also, it is essential to have the ice cream along with your meal rather than having it alone at a later point in time.
Is Cheesecake okay for diabetics?
A. Yes, cheesecakes are okay for diabetes as cheese has a low glycemic index. It means that when eaten, it slowly releases glucose. Hence, there is no sharp rise in blood sugar levels after eating cheese. But if you are eating cheesecakes, make sure that you take small servings to make the carbohydrate intake manageable.
Can diabetics eat sugar-free sweets?
A. Yes, a person with diabetes needs to avoid a high intake of carbohydrates and sugar. If any food lacks them, they can eat it without worrying about rising blood sugar levels. Even sweets and desserts that have low sugar content are permitted. The only condition is that they must be sugar-free or have low sugar content.
Can diabetic sweets give you diarrhoea?
A. Diabetic sweets are sugar-free sweets. However, they contain sugar substitutes that can be difficult to digest. Such ingredients can lead to more water entering the intestine. It can also lead to a gas, uncomfortable feeling in the gut, and diarrhoea in extreme cases.
How often can a diabetic eat sweets?
A. A diabetic can eat sweets more often than most of us imagine. But, a person with diabetes should check carbohydrate and sugar intake. The key is eating sweets in moderation to raise blood sugar levels. Once or twice a week is okay, as long as you are mindful of the amount of sweets you are eating in that sitting.
Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream
Can’t get enough pumpkin spice and pumpkin? Get those fall flavors you love in this dairy-free and vegan ice cream alternative made with bananas and pumpkin puree. This easy and healthy dessert contains no added sugar, unless you use the optional maple syrup–which is a delicious touch. Add some chopped pecans to make it really special.
How Does Eating Sugar Affect Diabetes?
Studies suggest that sugar intake can increase the risk of diabetes because of the impact glucose has on the liver, including promoting fatty liver, inflammation and localised insulin resistance. Such effects may trigger abnormal insulin production in the pancreas and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Further, studies also suggest that eating high amounts of sugar can indirectly raise its risk by causing weight gain and increased body fat, independent risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.
Natural sweeteners are free from these risks. They satisfy your sweet tooth without risking high sugar levels and if used sporadically can be used to make some desserts.
Meringues
Perfect meringues depend on totally yolk-free whites. The seemingly fussy step of separating each egg into a small bowl before combining them guarantees yolk-free whites for bakeshop-quality meringues every time. These crispy little morsels travel well and make great gifts too.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Some dishes may have up to 30 grams of sugar or carbohydrates per serving. If you have diabetes, you have to stay alert all the time. Taking a few servings of such a diet is enough to send your blood sugar levels soaring to an uncomfortable level. But that does not mean that you have to give up all the desserts altogether. Instead, take a small portion of whatever sweet you are having. It will satisfy your sweet tooth. At the same time, it will help you keep your blood sugar levels down.
Swap for Healthier Options
Look for swapping unhealthy stuff with healthy stuff. For example, instead of using refined flour, you can try wheat bran flour, multigrain flour or oatmeal flour. Choose diabetes-friendly sweets instead of the traditional sugar and calorie-loaded sweets. Instead of choosing sugar-loaded beverages, take the one with no added sugar.
Eat vegetables with low starch, such as beans, spinach, broccoli, cabbage and carrots, instead of high starch and glucose. Choose diabetic desserts which are low in sugar content instead of cakes, candies and cookies with additional sugar. Try salsa instead of ketchup.
Consider eating wheat pasta instead of regular pasta. Use cinnamon to sweeten the coffee, sweet corn and sweet potatoes for dishes. Opt for low sugar frozen yoghurt instead of ice cream.
Increase Fruit Intake
Perhaps the best option is to manage your sweet tooth and satisfy your cravings. Fruits have natural sugar. Further, they have added health benefits as they contain more fibre, vitamins, and minerals nutrients. These nutrients present in fruits take more time to digest. In addition, it stimulates the secretion of insulin. So, in addition to providing essential nutrients for the body, fruits help control sugar levels in the blood.
Strawberry Nice Cream
This luscious strawberry nice cream is a wonderful healthy ice cream alternative. It’s all fruit, dairy-free, vegan and contains no added sugar, but is bursting with sweet berry flavor. And it takes just minutes to whip up this easy healthy dessert in a food processor if you freeze the fruit ahead. While you’ll get the best flavor from fresh berries, if you don’t have them on hand, feel free to use store-bought frozen fruit in this recipe. Serve the nice cream on its own or top it with more fresh berries for a refreshing summer treat.
Bev’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
EatingWell reader Beverley Sharpe of Santa Barbara, California, contributed this healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe. She gave chocolate chip cookies a healthy update by cutting back on sugar and incorporating whole grains. To increase protein, Sharpe replaces the rolled oats with 1 cup almond meal.
Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
This recipe takes oatmeal cookies up a notch with its cinnamony, buttery, delicious take on a much-loved classic dessert.
Foods and Ingredients to Avoid adding to your Diabetic Desserts
- Honey: 17.3 grams
- Agave nectar: 16 grams
- Maple syrup: 13.4 grams
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
This easy-to-make chocolate cake is dark, moist, rich–and only dirties one bowl! Not quite as easy as boxed cake mixes, but those often contain trans fats. Our simple “from scratch” recipe gives you a home-baked cake with healthful canola oil and whole-wheat flour.
Basic Crustless Pumpkin Pie
This low-fat crustless pumpkin pie is a perfect dessert for the dieters at your holiday meal or people who are watching their carbs.
Chocolate-Fudge Pudding Cake
hen you have a craving for a comforting dessert, try this pudding cake, which forms its own rich-tasting sauce as it bakes. The coffee flavor is subtle, but it adds complex depth to the cake’s flavor.
Pineapple Nice Cream
All-fruit, dairy-free and with no added sugar–these are the hallmarks of nice cream, a healthy alternative to ice cream. This pineapple nice cream has tropical flavors, thanks to a hit of mango and lime. It takes just minutes to make this naturally sweet frozen dessert in the food processor or a blender. Enjoy it alone, or top with fresh fruit and toasted coconut.
Gingerbread Tea Cake
This low-calorie cake gets its festive flavor from molasses, cinnamon, ginger and ground cloves. Serve it for dessert at the holidays.
Soft Sugar Cookies
These easy and classic cookies incorporate mild-tasting white whole-wheat flour for extra fiber and nutrients.
Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark
Lightly sweetened Greek yogurt gets studded with fresh strawberries and chocolate chips then frozen so you can break it into chunks just like chocolate bark (but healthier!). This colorful snack or healthy dessert is perfect for kids and adults alike. Use full-fat yogurt to ensure the creamiest bark possible.
7 Amazing Desserts and Dessert-Alternatives for Diabetics
Here are a few tasty options you can try to satisfy your sweet tooth, even if you have diabetes:
Fruits
Fruits are delicious in taste and require no preparation so are handy to have instead of desserts. They have a rich amount of minerals, vitamins and dietary fibre. So not only are fruits a tasty dessert, they’re also good for you.
Paying attention to the glycemic index while deciding which fruit to eat is important. Research suggests that eating sugar-rich fruits with a higher GI like mangoes and bananas can spike your sugar levels. So picking fruits like berries, apples and pears is a better idea. You can also eat high GI fruits in combination with low GI fruits to prevent huge spikes in blood sugar levels.
Shalika’s Incredible Weight Loss Journey – Lost 38 kgs in 12 Months
You can chill or freeze your fruits like watermelon and grapes to give them a popsicle-like feeling when you eat them. You can also create fruit sorbets by freezing your fruits and then blending them.
Banana Ice Cream (Calories per cup
Bananas are a fibre rich fruit that are sweet so they can curb your body’s desire for sugar. Freeze a couple of bananas for an hour or two and then blend them with a splash of low fat milk or almond milk until smooth. Freeze again for about 10-15 minutes and then scoop in to a bowl and enjoy.
Whole Wheat Fruit Cake (Calories per slice
Cakes are loved by all and if made with fresh healthy ingredients, they can be enjoyed in small portions by even diabetics. The key is to use whole wheat or oats or quinoa as the base. Adding milk, curd and/or eggs to this gives the cake a good amount of protein. Additionally fruits and nuts can be added for dietary fibre. Stevia can be used as a sweetener if really needed. Vanilla essence and plain cocoa powder don’t affect sugar levels so their addition to the cake will make it a great dessert without affecting your sugar levels.
Dark Chocolate (Calories per 30gm
Research suggests that consuming dark chocolate can help in dealing with diabetes. The antioxidants in this diabetic dessert can help the body use its insulin more efficiently to help control blood sugar. As a result, it helps lower blood sugar levels naturally and allows your body to use more of your insulin.
Flavanols, compounds found in cocoa, enhance the ability of some cells of the body to secrete insulin. Insulin is the hormone that helps manage blood sugar. While choosing a dark chocolate bar, make sure that it contains at least 70% cocoa and limited sugary content.
Avocado Desserts
Make a yummy guilt -free avocado mousse to satisfy your sweet cravings. Avocados are rich in healthy fats and dietary fibre so they help control blood sugar levels. COmbine avocado with cocoa, a little dark chocolate, a splash of milk or almond milk, a bit of vanilla essence, a natural sweetener like agave or stevia or an artificial sweetener and a tiny pinch of salt. Blend together until smooth and then chill.
Greek Yoghurt based Desserts (Calories per 100 gm
Greek Yoghurt is a diabetic dessert. The easiest way to use greek yoghurt to satisfy your sweet tooth is to whip it smooth and add berries and a few nuts to it and then either chill for a while or consume immediately. You can also layer greek yoghurt, granola and berries to make a yoghurt parfait. You can also blend greek yoghurt with a little milk or almond milk, some stevia or sweetener, some cocoa powder and maybe even a little protein powder. Freeze this. Take it out at 20-25 minute intervals for about 1-2 hours and mix to keep the ice cream airy.
Milk based desserts (Calories
A protein smoothie is effective in two ways: it helps increase protein intake, making it quite nutritious. Two, it helps in reducing blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion. Adding ingredients like whey protein to insulin slows down emptying the stomach. It enables the liver to secrete more insulin, which helps control blood sugar levels. To increase the amount of nutrition, you can add leafy vegetables like spinach that would increase the amount of fibres.
Milk pudding or kheer made with milk or a plant based milk and some whole grain could be a great dessert for a diabetic. Combine brown rice, oats or broken wheat with some milk and saffron, a pinch of vanilla essence and a sweetener and cook down until the grains are cooked and the pudding/kheer is thick. Top with some slivered nuts and you have a great diabetic friendly dessert that helps control blood sugar spikes due to the fibre in the whole grains and the protein from the milk.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Classic chocolate chip cookies get a fall update by mixing in pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Not only are these pumpkin cookies even more flavorful than regular chocolate chip cookies, they’re also oh-so-soft and cakelike. Use chocolate chunks for big gooey bites of chocolate or opt for mini chocolate chips to ensure a bit of chocolate in each bite.
Fresh Apple Squares
One batch of dough does double duty as both the crust and streusel topping to make one of the easiest desserts around.
Sweets and Desserts for Diabetics
- Always check the nutritional value of any food that you are consuming. For example, if the diet contains a high amount of sugar or carbohydrates, it should be a complete no. On the other hand, it’s better to have it if the diet has a high calorific value and good proteins, fibres, minerals, and vitamins.
- Have your sweet with a meal so that the protein fat and fibre in the meal prevent the sugar from the sweet from releasing very rapidly.
- Also consider cutting down on your cereals in the meal like rice, bread or pasta when you plan to have a portion of a dessert so that the net carbohydrate intake remains low.
- Always take small servings. It will satisfy your sweet tooth and, at the same time, will not let your blood sugar level increase beyond manageable levels.
- Do healthy food swaps as much as possible. You can swap out refined flour for whole grain flour and can use sweet fruits instead of sugar.
- Regularly monitor your sugar levels. It is good to have a sugar measuring machine at home. Measure them at least once a month and plan your diet accordingly.
Spiced Pumpkin Cookies
The deep flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg make these wholesome pumpkin cookies delicious without the addition of butter–and they lend themselves beautifully to the inclusion of whole-wheat flour. They are also the perfect texture for a sandwich cookie–fill them with a slightly sweetened cream cheese frosting.
Flourless Chocolate Cookies
These flourless cookies get their volume from whipped egg whites (like a meringue) instead of grains, making them gluten-free and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A chocolate chip in each bite adds to the rich chocolate flavor.
Conclusion
Having diabetes does not mean that you have to give up sweets and desserts for your entire life. Diabetic people can still satisfy their sweet tooth. The key is moderation. One should take sweets and desserts low in sugar and carbohydrate content and high on nutrition like proteins, fibres, and vitamins. In addition, one should maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient physical activity.