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BEAUTIFUL DESSERTS

For many people, the word “dessert” invokes images of mile-high ice cream sundaes and monstrous slices of cake. These typical desserts are loaded with calories, processed ingredients, and toxins that will weigh you down and then some. In this section, you will find a collection of healthful (and delicious) recipes to boost your detox diet while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Strawberry Kiwi Frozen Fruit Bars

Calories: 100 per bar

Fresh fruits such as strawberry and kiwi are loaded with healthful vitamins and antioxidants. That makes this dessert both healthful and refreshing.

2 cups fresh sliced strawberries 3 fresh kiwis, peeled and sliced

½ cup raw honey 2½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the fruit mixture into six ice pop molds.
3. Freeze the molds until the fruit bars are solid.

Makes 6 bars.

Agave Baked Bananas

Calories: 75 per banana half

If you love Bananas Foster but are looking for something a little more compatible with your detox diet, these baked bananas are perfect. Baked until tender and sweetened with agave, these bananas will hit the spot.

2 ripe bananas 1 tablespoon agave nectar

Pinch of cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Slice the bananas in half lengthwise and remove the peels.
3. Arrange the bananas in a glass baking dish.
4. Drizzle the agave over the bananas and sprinkle with cinnamon.
5. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10–15 minutes until tender.

Serves 4.

Avoid meals that require a long list of ingredients—even if the ingredients are healthful. The simpler your meals are, the easier they will be for your body to digest. It also means that they will have less of an impact on your blood-sugar levels, which will prevent energy fluctuations and will also help stave off weight gain.

Goji Berry Soufflés

Calories: 400 per ramekin

Goji berries are loaded with health benefits, from improving eyesight and sexual function to boosting immune system function and improving circulation. Who knew that a dessert this tasty could also be so good for you?

1½ cups raw cashews 5 cups water, divided 1 cup goji berries ¾ cup raw honey 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Pinch of salt

1. Place the cashews in a bowl and cover with 2 cups of water. Soak for 1–2 hours and then drain and set aside.
2. Combine the goji berries and 1 cup of water in a small bowl and soak for 15 minutes.
3. Drain the water and place the goji berries in a food processor.
4. Blend the goji berries until smooth and then strain them through a mesh sieve and discard the solids.
5. Combine the soaked cashews and blended goji berries in a blender. Add the remaining ingredients, including the remaining water, and blend until smooth and combined.
6. Pour the mixture into ramekins and freeze for 4–5 hours.
7. Submerge the frozen souffles in a warm-water bath until loosened and then turn them out onto dessert plates to serve.

Serves 6.

Chocolate Cupcakes

Calories: 150 per cupcake

You may be surprised to find cupcakes on the list of detox desserts. The key is to use healthful ingredients like coconut flour, raw honey, and coconut oil. Combined with cocoa powder, these ingredients create the perfect chocolate cupcake.

¼ cup sifted coconut flour ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa ½ teaspoon baking soda Pinch of salt

4 large eggs 5 tablespoons raw honey ¼ cup coconut oil, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a regular muffin pan with 8 paper liners and set aside.
3. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a food processor and pulse to blend.
4. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the mixture is smooth and combined.
5. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups about ¼ cup at a time.
6. Bake for 15–18 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool the cupcakes before serving.

Makes 8 cupcakes.

Cinnamon Poached Apples

Calories: 80 per apple

Poaching is a cooking method that many people are not familiar with. In this recipe, however, you will learn that it’s a quick way to infuse fruits with delicious flavor.

6 cups apple juice 1 cinnamon stick

4 ripe apples, peeled and cored

1. Combine the apple juice and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Cut the apples in half and add them to the saucepan.
3. Cover the saucepan and simmer for 7–8 minutes or until the apples are tender.
4. Remove the apples using a slotted spoon and serve hot.

Serves 4.

Balsamic Berry Mint Medley

Calories: 130 per 1-cup serving

If you are looking for a light dessert that packs plenty of flavor, this medley is just the thing. The sweetness of fresh berries blends perfectly with the balsamic vinegar, giving this recipe a unique flavor.

2 cups fresh sliced strawberries 2 cups fresh blueberries 1 cup fresh raspberries 1 cup fresh blackberries

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon raw honey ¼ cup fresh mint leaves

1. Combine the berries in a mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and honey, then drizzle it over the berries and toss to coat.
3. Let the berries sit for 45 minutes to an hour. Then toss the berries with fresh mint leaves and spoon into cups to serve.

Serves 6.

Baked Apple Crumble

Calories: 150 per ramekin

This crumble has all the flavor of a fresh apple pie without all the guilt. Made with almond flour instead of bleached flour, and honey instead of refined sugar, this dessert might surprise you.

Cooking oil for greasing 2 cups almond flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of salt

⅓ cup coconut oil, melted ¼ cup raw honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 5 medium apples, peeled and chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease 6 small ramekins with cooking oil.
2. Combine the almond flour, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet to form a smooth batter.
5. Spoon the apples into the ramekins and top with the batter.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is browned.
7. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 6.

Hazelnut Cocoa Fudge

Calories: 130 per square

If you’re in the mood for a rich, chocolaty treat, then this hazelnut cocoa fudge is just what you’ve been looking for. Made with raw, wholesome ingredients, you don’t have to worry about this treat interfering with your detox.

1 cup hazelnut butter 1 cup unsweetened cocoa 1 cup raw honey ½ cup coconut butter

½ cup cocoa butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract Pinch of salt

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and then blend the mixture until smooth and well combined.
2. Spoon the mixture into a parchment- or foil-lined glass dish.
3. Chill until firm and then cut into 24 squares to serve.

Serves 24.

Agave Ginger Cookies

Calories: 55 per cookie

Agave nectar is a low-glycemic natural sweetener that can be used in many of the same ways as honey. Try it in this delicious recipe for ginger cookies.

2½ cups almond flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon ground ginger Pinch of salt 3 large eggs ¾ cup agave nectar

3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 3 tablespoons fresh grated ginger ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine the almond flour, baking soda, ground ginger, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs and agave nectar.
4. Beat in the coconut oil, grated ginger, and ground cinnamon.
5. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the wet until the dough is smooth.
6. Roll the dough into ½-inch balls by hand and arrange them on the prepared cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned.
8. Cool in the pan for 3 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 5 dozen.

Vanilla Crème Parfait

Calories: 270 per ½-cup serving

For some people, giving up ice cream on a detox diet can be quite a challenge. This recipe for vanilla crème parfaits is the perfect alternative. It’s full of fresh vanilla flavor and topped with your favorite fruit or nuts. What more could you ask for?

2 cups young coconut meat ¼ cup raw honey 2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ vanilla bean Pinch of salt

1. Combine the coconut meat, honey, coconut oil, and lemon juice in a food processor. Blend the ingredients until just combined.
2. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the vanilla bean in half and split half of the bean lengthwise down the center.
3. Scrape the small black seeds from the vanilla bean into the food processor with the rest of the ingredients and then add the salt.
4. Blend until smooth and combined and then spoon into a bowl.
5. Chill for 4–6 hours or until firm. Spoon into dessert cups and top with fruit or nuts.

Serves 4.

Cinnamon Grilled Peaches

Calories: 150 per peach

If you’ve never eaten grilled peaches, you don’t know what you are missing. These peaches are warm and tender, infused with the sweetness of honey and the flavor of cinnamon.

Cooking oil for greasing 4 large ripe peaches 2 tablespoons raw honey

1 tablespoon coconut oil 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1. Preheat a grill over medium-high heat and lightly grease with cooking oil.
2. Cut the peaches in half and remove the pits.
3. Combine the honey, coconut oil, and cinnamon in a microwave-safe bowl.
4. Microwave the mixture on high for 10–15 seconds or until melted.
5. Place the peaches cut-side down on the grill and brush with the honey mixture.
6. Cook the peaches for 3–4 minutes on each side, brushing with the honey mixture several times.
7. Serve the peaches hot with extra honey glaze, if desired.

Serves 4.

Blueberry Lime Sorbet

Calories: 80 per ½-cup serving

This sorbet is the perfect treat to cool you down on a hot summer day. Best of all, it will help boost your detox as well.

½ cup raw honey 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

5 cups fresh blueberries 1 teaspoon lime zest

1. Combine the honey and lime juice in a saucepan over medium heat until the honey is dissolved. Set the mixture aside to cool.
2. Place the berries in a food processor and puree.
3. Add the honey mixture and lime zest and then blend until smooth.
4. Strain the mixture through a mesh sieve and pour the strained liquid into a shallow container.
5. Freeze the sorbet until solid. When ready to serve, break the sorbet into chunks and blend in a food processor until smooth.

Serves 10–12.

Maple Oatmeal Cookies

Calories: 90 per cookie

Just because you are engaging in a detox diet doesn’t mean you have to give up delicious food. These maple oatmeal cookies, for example, are less than one hundred calories each.

1½ cups old-fashioned oats 1½ cups almond flour 1¼ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¾ cup pure maple syrup ¼ cup coconut oil, melted 2 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together the maple syrup, coconut oil, and eggs.
4. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
5. Drop the dough in heaping teaspoons onto the prepared cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 8–9 minutes until the cookies are lightly browned on the edges.
7. Cool for 3 minutes in the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 4 dozen.

Multilayer Frozen Fruit Cups

Calories: 100 per cup

Fresh fruit is a key component of any successful detox diet, and these frozen fruit cups are the perfect way to get your daily recommended amount.

2 cups water ½ cup raw honey 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup fresh strawberries 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 cup fresh raspberries 6 wooden ice pop sticks

1. Combine the water and honey in a small saucepan and cook until the honey dissolves. Stir in the lemon juice and then set aside to cool.
2. Puree the fruit in a food processor in separate batches, pouring each berry mixture into a separate bowl.
3. Divide the sweetened water evenly between the three bowls of berries, stirring to combine.
4. Spoon several tablespoons of the strawberry mixture into 6 paper cups and freeze until solid.
5. Add a few tablespoons of the blueberry mixture and stick a wooden ice pop stick in the center of each cup and freeze until solid.
6. Top the cups off with the raspberry mixture and freeze solid.
7. To serve, peel the paper away from the frozen fruit mixture.

Serves 6.

Raw Almond Gelato

Calories: 210 per ½-cup serving

This gelato is cool, refreshing, and full of detox benefits. If you are looking for a creamy treat, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.

1¼ cups unsweetened almond milk ¾ cup raw cashews ½ cup young coconut meat ½ cup raw honey

½ cup melted coconut butter 1 tablespoon almond extract 1 tablespoon vanilla extract Pinch of salt

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and well combined.
2. Pour the ingredients into an ice-cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Serves 2.