The warmer months are usually when we find it easier to say no to temptation. When the weather cools and the days become shorter, we tend to experience more cravings for those comfort foods and sweets. The good news is that you don’t have to go without. Here are some recipes for low calorie treats you’ll love!

Delicious Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup dried cherries
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate (chopped)
  • Cooking spray

Method:

  • Begin making these low calorie treats by preheating your oven to 350F
  • Combine the flour, oats, salt and baking soda in a bowl.
  • Mix with a whisk.
  • Melt the butter before mixing with the sugar.
  • Stir until smooth.
  • Add the butter and sugar to the flour mixture and use your mixer to blend together completely.
  • Add the egg, vanilla and cherries before beating again.
  • Now add chocolate and fold into the mixture.
  • Spoon this mixture onto a baking tray (lined) and leave 2 inches between each biscuit for expanding space.
  • Bake for about 12 minutes
  • Cool in the pans until transferring to cooling racks and enjoy!

Low calorie Macaroons

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pecans (chopped)
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 2 large egg whites
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped dried figs
  • 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar (divided)

Method:

  • These low calorie treats also need to be baked so you should begin by preheating your oven to 300F.
  • Mix the cinnamon and pecans before grinding them in your food processor until they are nice and fine.
  • Add the rind before blending some more.
  • Beat the salt, tartar and egg whites together until they form stiff peaks.
  • Add the sugar (less 2 tablespoons) to this egg mixture gradually while beating on low.
  • Once blended, fold the pecan mixture into the egg mixture.
  • Coat your figs with the rest of the sugar.
  • Now fold the figs into the mixture.
  • Spoon small amounts of this mixture onto baking sheets (lined with parchment paper) and leave an inch between them.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes or until the bottoms start to turn brown.
  • Allow to cool and enjoy!

Sweet Strawberry Dessert

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup water plus 1 Tbsp water
  • 1/2 teaspoon unflavoured gelatin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 6 ounces 2% Greek-style plain yogurt
  • 2 cups strawberries (cut into quarters)

Method:

  • Combine the water, lavender and sugar.
  • Boil in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Stir occasionally.
  • Remove the pan from heat and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
  • Strain the syrup into a bowl and discard the solid pieces.
  • Chill the syrup.
  • Place 1 tablespoon of water in a bowl.
  • Sprinkle gelatin on top and allow to stand until the gelatin dissolves.
  • Whisk the honey, cornstarch, salt and egg yolks together
  • Heat the milk until bubbles form around the edge of the pot.
  • Add the hot milk very slowly to the egg mixture and stir constantly and you blend the two together.
  • Cook on medium until it thickens and stir occasionally during this process.
  • Transfer the mixture to a bowl to cool.
  • Mix this mixture occasionally so that a film does not form over the top and the mixture does not set. This usually takes about 20 minutes.
  • Add yogurt to the cooled mixture
  • Spoon ¼ cup of the mixture into each dessert bowl, cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
  • Top with ¼ cup of strawberries and drizzle with syrup before serving.

These recipes each contain 150 calories or less with each serving! While they do contain sugar, butter and yogurt, these low calorie treats do not contain many other ingredients that push the calorie count over the top.