There are few nights when I don’t find myself rummaging through the kitchen for something sweet after dinner. However, there’s nothing worse than going to bed feeling like you’ve just consumed a desserts bomb. As the years go by, it gets harder and harder to get one good night after I eat a lot of sugar. Thankfully, there are plenty of light desserts to choose from that satisfy my food cravings without overwhelm me. This much light desserts to be fruit based, and most of them skip the full-fat cream in favor of lighter milks. That said, if you are someone who loves a cake or one pieWe’ve got you so many ways to enjoy, guilt-free.
While most of us tend to go for light desserts when it’s hot summer months—Though think popsicles, sorbets, and granita — these recipes do the trick wonderfully all year round. Sometimes, you just need something on the fresh side, no matter the season. Be sure to bookmark these delicacies, because each of them is guaranteed to please a crowd, even if the crowd in question is simply a crowd pleaser. friend and a good book.
Read on for 22 delicious, light desserts!
Piña Colada Italian Ice Pops from Spoon Fork Bacon
Why we love it: I can’t get this tropical and mature enough to take on the Otter Pops of my youth! And you’ll be happy to know they’re easy to whip up as well as delicious.
Hero Ingredients: Add coconut rum for a delicious treat, or keep it for the whole family to enjoy. Either way, these are guaranteed to elevate any pool party into a full-blown summer festival.
Get the recipe for Piña Colada Italian Ice Pops.
Raw gluten-free pumpkin cheesecake
Why we love it: It doesn’t taste much better than this sumptuous pumpkin cheesecake. The best part? It’s raw, vegan, and gluten-free, so people with dietary restrictions can enjoy, too.
Hero composition: Day! They are equally delicious on their own as they are stuffed with goat cheese or wrapped in bacon. But here, mixed with coconut and autumnal spices, the sticky fruit laid the groundwork for the divinely and decadently reinvented pumpkin cheesecake.
Get the recipe for Raw gluten-free pumpkin cheesecake.
Lemon Key Lime Pie Bars from Half-Naked Harvest
Why we love it: Upgrade your daily key lime pie with these savory, sweet, tangy and creamy flavors.
Hero Ingredients: The crust is made with Ritz cracker crumbs, salted butter, and a dash of vanilla – how much better? However, the secret here is a little brown sugar that helps balance the salty/sweet taste. Totally divine.
Get the recipe for Lemon Key Lime Pie Bars.
Almond Joy Stuffed Dates from Minimalist Baker
Why we love it: As I said before, dating is truly one of the best things in life. Even if you’re not a fan of Almond Joy candies, you’ll likely find these stuffed dates totally worth it.
Hero Ingredients: Don’t even think about not toasting those almonds. The nutty flavor is a must for these delicious dishes.
Get the recipe for Almond Joy Stuffed Dates.
Almond and Blackberry Cream Pavlova
Why we love it: If you’re intimidated by a stall, then use this scrumptious recipe as a starting point. It’s as easy as it is delicious, promise!
Hero composition: Orange peel and juice in berry ice cream bring all sorts of fresh citrus to the table.
Get the recipe for Almond and Blackberry Cream Pavlova.
Quick and easy Raspberry Fool from Foodie Crush
Why we love it: Quick and easy is definitely an understatement here. This premium raspberry and cream trick makes the perfect treatment for any time of year. Although it tastes especially good under the sun.
Hero composition: When there are only six people to choose from, the hero composition will be considered for quality. In this case, make sure to use good vanilla. Trust me, it makes a difference.
Get the recipe for Quick and easy Raspberry Fool.
Mocha Custard Ice Cream from Half Baked Harvest
Why we love it: I love any excuse to sneak coffee into a dessert, and this one is no exception. Is it custard? Is it a pudding? Why not both? Either way, this is a scrumptious and light dessert that pairs perfectly with a cup of your favorite warm beverage.
Hero composition: Honey is the sweetener for this delicious custard/pudding, so you can enjoy it without feeling overwhelmed.
Get the recipe for Mocha Custard Ice Cream.
Coconut cream and blueberry ginger
Why we love it: Check this out to confirm that parfaits aren’t just for breakfast. Here, they show off patriotic hues — making them the perfect feature for your 4th of July dessert.
Hero Ingredients: Minced ginger brings just the right amount of texture and crunch to these creamy concoctions.
Get the recipe for Coconut cream and blueberry ginger.
Lassi Mango Coated Cookies Bacon Spoon Frozen Yogurt Bar
Why we love it: You don’t need an ice cream maker to make these delicious yogurt bars. They are dreaming alone.
Hero Ingredients: Crispy rice cereal is mixed into that cookie coating to create the perfect crunch in every bite. These give a big vibe to the Nestle Crunch bar.
Get the recipe for Mango Lassi Coated Cookies Frozen Yogurt Bar.
Roasted Grapes with Sweet Labne from My Name Is Yeh
Why we love it: Labne is basically a thick Greek yogurt that is very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine and is absolutely delicious. In the case of this light dessert, it is topped with toasted grapes and sprinkled with shortbread crumbs. There’s something romantic about this unexpected, simple, and truly delicious dessert.
Hero composition: Again, the orange peel has the perfect aroma.
Get the recipe for Baked Grapes With Sweet Labne.
Lavender Pistachio Madeleines
Why we love it: Lavender and pistachio add a dash of summer flair to these classic French pastry cookies. Make them for school lunches, after-dinner desserts, or anytime snacks. They are truly a madeleine of all trades.
Hero Ingredients: A simple lemon glaze will whisk these over the edge.
Get the recipe for Lavender Pistachio Madeleines.
Easy baked pears from a minimalist baker
Why we love it: There’s something elegant about pear desserts and this one is definitely one of my favorites. Not only is it delicious, it’s easy to make and fragrant to boot.
Hero Ingredients: The acids in this recipe allow the pears to retain some of their structure, which is a requirement for the fruity desserts in my book. Too much fat is not a delicious dessert.
Get the recipe for Easy Baked Pears.
Peanut Butter Fluff Cup from Budget Bytes
Why we love it: Cotton cup! The name alone guarantees a second look. They are a delicious, simple, and lovely option for dessert lovers of all ages.
Hero Ingredients: Chocolate graham crackers topped with cloud-like fluff and acts as a graham cracker crust. Just the right amount of texture.
Get the recipe for Peanut Butter Fluff Cup.
Blood Orange Amaretto Mascarpone Trifles
Why we love it: Once you try this utterly decadent dessert, you’ll be shocked to find that A) it’s surprisingly light, and B) it was born out of a cake disaster. You have to taste it to believe it!
Hero composition: Three words: amaretto mascarpone kumquat.
Get the recipe for Blood Orange Amaretto Mascarpone Trifles.
Elderflower apricot yogurt Popsicles from sugar salt
Why we love it: Enhance your everyday popsicle experience with this fancy concoction.
Hero Ingredients: I feel like the maid is not getting enough attention. In these popsicles, it provides a tart counterpart to that delicious yoghurt frosting. Mmm…
Get the recipe for Elderflower yogurt ice cream.
Real Strawberries and Sparkling Rosé Gummy Heart from Spoon Fork Bacon
Why we love it: Talk about fun! These chewy, sweet, and slightly boozy gummies are perfect for your next brunch or girls night out.
Hero Ingredients: Sparkling roses were ever a bad idea?
Get the recipe for Strawberry hearts and sparkling Rosé marshmallows.
Raspberry and pistachio cake with lemon glaze
Why we love it: If you think a cake can’t be light, think again! This gorgeous option has a serious light vibe.
Hero composition: I just love it when the cakes are flavored with pistachios. This nut will give your cake a pronounced buttery consistency with just the right amount of crunch.
Get the recipe for Raspberry and pistachio cake with lemon glaze.
Gluten Free Lemon Bar
Why we love it: With just ten steps, this lemon bar recipe is perfect in every way. It uses a thicker crust, which I’ve always liked, and boasts the perfect lemon flavor to complement the buttery base. It will tickle your taste buds in the best possible way.
Hero composition: The great thing about powdered sugar is that it has the ability to cover up mistakes. But how many mistakes does a dessert really have? Either way, it’s sweet and soft and simply delicious. Plus, it’s fun to sift through the top.
Get the recipe for Gluten Free Lemon Bar.
Grilled stone fruit with Amarena cherry syrup from Valerie rice
Why we love it: Amarena sour cherries make the best syrup for these stone fruits for baking. If you’re wearing fruit in a noni juicer or juicer, this recipe is tailored just for you.
Hero composition: A big scoop of vanilla ice cream is a must have.
Get the recipe for Grilled stone fruit with Amarena cherry syrup.
Seedless Strawberry Snack Cake from Identified Food
Why we love it: This snack cake is exactly what you want on your kitchen table — at least I know I make it. Take a walk, cut yourself a piece… or a slice… or two. It’s dangerous in every best way.
Hero composition: One thing I love about this formula is its ingredients on the lighter side. With almond milk, almond flour, dairy-free cream cheese, avocado oil, etc., there’s no room for you to feel guilty about that second bite.
Get the recipe for Seedless Strawberry Snack Cake.
Flourless Drop Chocolate Cake from Identified Dish
Why we love it: This flourless dark chocolate cake is delicious and rich and would be perfect for a special occasion or simply a treat any time. With flavors from coffee, orange zest and maple syrup, it checks all the boxes.
Hero composition: Again, a scoop of vanilla ice cream would be delicious here.
Get the recipe for Flourless Chocolate Cake.
Homemade vegan peanut butter cookies
Why we love it: You probably have all eight of these ingredients in your pantry, so there’s really nothing stopping you from enjoying a mouthwatering dessert to brighten up your day!
Hero Ingredients: Whether it’s organic, homemade, or old-fashioned, feel free to use your favorite peanut butter here. Everyone has one.
Get the recipe for Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies.
This post was originally published on May 10, 2021, and has since been updated.
