Labour Day may be around the corner, but it’s our patriotic duty as Canadians to wear shorts and line up for ice cream until it’s -10 outside.
Sure, we’re all for an occasional ice cream sundae or generous slice of berry pie, but we prefer to feel our best as the temperatures drop. That’s why Registered Dietitian Abbey Sharp has compiled the best lightened-up, guilt-free desserts to help you squeeze every last drop out of your summer.
Raspberry Margarita Gluten Free Donuts
Everyone’s favourite cocktail and dessert collide in the official dessert of summer. These bad boys are naturally dairy free, grain free and lower in carbs than your typical Timmy’s, made with the goodness of almond flour, coconut yogurt and fresh fruit!
Get the Recipe: Abbey’s Kitchen
Vegan Watermelon Jellies
Juicy bites of watermelon that you can throw in your purse? Yes, please! These easy vegan watermelon jellies are just the thing for those days you need a little something sweet.
Get the Recipe: It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
Balsamic Roasted Strawberry Popsicles
Sweet, tangy and creamy, this four-ingredient vegan popsicle will become your new BFF as we coast out of summer.
Get the Recipe: Food, Pleasure, and Health
Blackberry Green Tea Chia Pudding
Need a sweet treat and a caffeine boost? This double-duty chia pudding has got your back! Packed with a double whammy of antioxidant power from the summer berries and green tea, this chia pudding will quickly become a weeknight staple.
Get the Recipe: The Healthy Maven
Red, White and Blue Vegan Watermelon Cake
We may be proudly Canadian, but we will happily slice into this red, white and blue “cake.” Made with whole watermelon decorated with coconut yogurt and fresh fruit, you can probably eat this whole vegan gluten free “cake” for the same amount of calories as a typical cake slice.
Get the Recipe: Abbey’s Kitchen
Green Tea Latte Popsicles
Swap that afternoon latte for these matcha green tea latte popsicles, which are loaded with antioxidants, protein and an energy buzz for those last few hot summer days.
Get the Recipe: Kara Lydon, RD, LDN, RYT
Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
These cheesecake bars are sweet, creamy, tangy and packed with a good dose of protein. A perfect way to get your cheesecake fix without the typical post-dessert bloat.
Get the Recipe: Amy’s Healthy Baking
Fresh Fruit Rolls with Peach Sauce
These refreshing dessert packages bring together sweet summer fruit in a hand-held treat with only 60 calories each!
Get the Recipe: Nutrition by Nazima
Grilled Kiwi with Coconut Whipped Cream
Summer is made for grilling, and this grilled kiwi recipe is a great reason to bust it out again before summer is gone.
Get the Recipe: It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
Vegan Nutella Banana Ice Cream
Affectionately known as “nice” cream, this banana-based sweet treat features a layer of crunchy hazelnuts and cacao nibs and a swirl of homemade vegan Nutella. We suggest a double batch of the Nutella so you can eat it off your spoon.
Get the Recipe: Abbey’s Kitchen
Vegan Berry Coconut Parfaits
It’s always a good idea to have a little something sweet in your purse or workbag for those hangry moments when somebody pisses you off. These portable parfaits fit the bill with layers of whipped coconut milk, berries, pecans and dates for your sweet fix on the go.
Get the Recipe: The Healthy Maven
Chocolate Dipped Banana Cream Pie Popsicles
A healthy fibre-packed popsicle that tastes like pie AND is dipped in chocolate? We would totally eat this in Canadian blizzard (but it’s better without insulated mitts)!
Get the Recipe: Abbey’s Kitchen
Blueberry Almond Crumble
We’re officially in the heart of blueberry season, so now’s your chance to use those little blue balls for something a little more sophisticated than fruit salad. Sweet juicy filling, crunchy nut topping, this
Get the Recipe: Amy’s Healthy Baking
Vegan Peach Galette
This healthy casual summer pie is made with a better-for-you almond flour crust and flax, and is packed with a bounty of sweet peaches.
Get the Recipe: The Healthy Maven
Healthy Vegan Tropical Fruit Crisp
Made with the natural sweetness of mangos, bananas and pineapple and topped with a coconut streusel crust, this wouldn’t be a bad way to kiss the summer heat goodbye.
Get the Recipe: Abbey’s Kitchen
DIY Rocket Popsicles
These popsicles are a healthy take on the classic rocket popsicles that we all chased the ice cream truck to get our hands on. This version is made with real fruit, no added sugar, and boast 9 calories per pop. And the best part? No running required.
Get the Recipe: Nutrition by Nazima
