Flavorful Desserts with Fewer Calories

So often afternoon tea is comprised of carbohydrate and calorie heavy items.  Also, the tiers can look very dull as a lot of the food tend to be shades of beige!  I like to include a colorful small glass of brightly colored, light and refreshing pudding.

Pudding desserts don’t seem to be as popular as they once were, which is a shame because not only are they a tasty treat, but they are so quick and easy to make but can be prepared ahead of time. Here are three of our favorites:

 

Yogurt Pudding Fluff 

This low-calorie sweet treat is so easy with just 3-ingredients it can be made in a variety of flavors – chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, butterscotch, cheesecake and more!

Top of Form

Ingredients 

• 1 ½ cup plain nonfat yogurt (regular or Greek)
• 3 packets of no calorie sweetener
• 2 tablespoon dry pudding mix (We used pistachio)

Directions

1. Spoon the yogurt and sweetener into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with the dry pudding mix. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
2. If it seems too thick, stir in a little bit of water (1-2 tablespoons) until the desired consistency is achieved.
3. Add any toppings or mix-ins.

Notes

• If you use Greek yogurt, it will have a “tarter” taste. If it isn’t sweet enough add a little extra sweetener.
• Only use 1 tablespoon of instant pudding mix to each 3/4 cup of yogurt. This is one case where more is definitely NOT better because the mixture will get much too thick!
• If the mixture does seem too thick, add a little water (1-2 tablespoons) until you achieve your desired consistency. It can get hard and dry when left to sit for a long time in the refrigerator.
• You could add many different toppings or mix-ins. Here are some of our favorites.
  • Berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)
  • Freeze dried fruit
  • Crushed pineapple
  • Chopped peaches

 

Fruited Applesauce Jell-O (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free)

Makes Four, 4-oz servings 

Ingredients:

• 1 box (3 oz.) strawberry Jell-O
• ¾ cup boiling water
• 1 cup applesauce
• ½ cup strawberries, chopped

Directions:

1. Dissolve the Jell-O in the boiling water.  Add the applesauce. Fold in the strawberries. 
2. Pour into serving glasses.  Chill until set. 

Notes:

• To cut back on the calories, used sugar-free Jell-O and unsweetened applesauce.

 

Fruit Juice Tapioca Pudding (Gluten-Free & Dairy Free)

The instructions for puddings made with fruit juice used to be on all the boxes of Minute Tapioca but for some reason, they are no longer.  Dug through my collection of tried-and-true recipes to find this one for you. 

These puddings can be made with your choice of fruit juice-such as apple, orange, grape or pineapple. Best of all, it takes only five minutes to prepare!

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 Tbsp. Minute Tapioca
• Dash salt
• 2 cups orange juice*

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in medium saucepan. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full boil. (Pudding thickens as it cools.) Remove from heat.
3. Cool 20 minutes; stir. Stir before serving. Serve warm or chilled.