5 Delicious Sugar Free Cake and Pie Options for Dessert Lovers
Craving a decadent dessert without derailing your health goals? Look no further! This curated collection of 7 sugar-free cakes and pies elevates the sugar-free experience, showcasing vibrant flavors and innovative techniques. Each slice is meticulously crafted using natural sweeteners and clever ingredient swaps, ensuring guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious individuals and dessert aficionados alike. From rich chocolatey masterpieces to light and refreshing fruit-forward delights, these creations cater to every palate, proving that deliciousness and well-being can go hand-in-hand. So, ditch the restrictions and unlock a world of sugar-free possibilities, where indulgence meets mindful living. Dive into this delectable selection and rediscover the joy of dessert, one delicious bite at a time.
1. Classic Vanilla cake recipe
This recipe delivers a moist, flavorful vanilla cake without the sugar! Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while keeping things healthy. Choose your preferred sweetener from the options below.
Ingredients:
Wet:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup chosen sweetener (see options below)
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Whisk dry ingredients (flours, baking powder, soda, salt) in a medium bowl.
- Cream butter and sweetener in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix well.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and almond milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Choose your sweetener!
1/2 cup granulated erythritol or monk fruit sweetener – Similar sweetness to sugar, good for baking.
1/3 cup stevia powder – Intensely sweet, adjust amount to taste.
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce – Adds moisture and subtle sweetness.
1/2 cup mashed banana – Adds moisture and banana flavor. Reduce almond milk to 1/4 cup.
Tips:
For an extra moist cake, fold in 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana with the wet ingredients.
Add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolate twist.
Top your cake with fresh berries, whipped cream (made with sugar-free sweetener), or sugar-free frosting.
Enjoy your delicious and guilt-free sugar-free vanilla cake!
Remember: Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Always check for doneness with a toothpick before removing the cake.
2. Pumpkin Pie
With a custard filling made mostly of pumpkin and spices, pumpkin pie is a traditional dessert pie. It is usually consumed in the fall and early winter, particularly around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and is a symbol of the harvest season. Although it is a popular meal in the US and Canada, other countries of the world also make variations of it.
Here are some key things to know about pumpkin pie:
- Filling: The filling is made with cooked and puréed pumpkin flesh, eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Some recipes also include cloves, allspice, and mace.
- Crust: Pumpkin pie is usually baked in a traditional pie crust, but it can also be made with a graham cracker crust or a streusel topping.
- Toppings: Pumpkin pie is often served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Some people also like to add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
- Variations: There are many variations of pumpkin pie, including ones made with different types of squash, nuts, chocolate chips, or even sweet potato.
3. Banoffee Pie
Banoffee, a popular English delicacy, consists of toffee and bananas. Banoffee pie is a decadent blend of flavors and textures that includes bananas, handmade whipped cream, smooth dulce de leche, and a cookie/biscuit or graham cracker crust. With all the desserts I create, I usually have perfect self-control, but this pie truly made me not want to put down my fork. The appeal of banoffee pie is undeniable due to its combination of soft, crunchy, creamy, gooey, and sweet flavors. You’ll become addicted.
Banoffee pie is the easiest pie you’ll ever prepare, which adds to its allure. All you need to do in the oven is prebake the three-ingredient graham cracker crust. Similar to how baking the crust strengthens the entire pie, so does this with strawberry cream cheese pie. Top with the other ingredients, cover, and chill until you’re ready to eat. And that’s it!
4. Apple pie
Apple pie is a classic fruit pie featuring apples as the main ingredient. It’s considered a comfort food and enjoyed globally, though particularly popular in North America and Europe. Here’s a breakdown:
Filling:
- Apples:The heart of the pie, most recipes use a combination of tart and sweet apple varieties for contrasting flavors and textures. Popular choices include Granny Smith, Braeburn, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady.
- Sweetener:Traditionally sugar, but alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or sugar substitutes can be used.
- Spices:Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are staples, while others like cardamom, cloves, and allspice can be added for complexity.
- Thickener:Often cornstarch or flour to create a gel-like consistency, ensuring the filling holds its shape when sliced.
Crust:
- Double-crust:This is the most common style, with a bottom and top crust made from flaky pastry dough.
- Single-crust:Some variations, like Dutch apple pie, have just a bottom crust with a crumbly topping.
- Lattice:The top crust can be left solid or woven into a lattice design for decorative appeal.
Serving:
- Warm:Freshly baked apple pie is usually served warm.
- A la mode:A classic combination is with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (apple pie à la mode).
- Whipped cream or custard:Other popular accompaniments include whipped cream, vanilla custard, or even cheddar cheese (especially in regions like Vermont).
Variations:
- Apple Crumble:This simpler version involves a topping of crumbles instead of a full crust.
- Dutch Apple Pie:Features a streusel topping with nuts and oats.
- Apple Crisp:Similar to crumble but often uses oats and sometimes nuts in the topping.
- Caramel Apple Pie:Includes caramel sauce or filling for a richer flavor.
Symbolism:
- Apple pie often represents American culture and home-cooked meals.
- It’s associated with holidays like Thanksgiving and fall seasons.
5. Brownie Pie
This tempting brownie pie appeals to both young and old when you combine the richness of a fudgy brownie batter with the timeless charm of a baked pie. This dessert, which is adapted from Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Table, is super simple to make with things you probably already have in your kitchen. Start with a flaky, buttery pie crust (store-bought works great here) and line it with a brownie batter that comes together easily. You’ll be rewarded with a chocolate pie with a crispy crust, a fudgy middle, and a somewhat crackly top as soon as you pop it in the oven. Since brownie pie almost demands to be served a la mode, I recommend adding a heaping scoop of coffee or vanilla ice cream to each slice. If you’re feeling very decadent, you could even try drizzling some chocolate syrup on top!
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