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After a long day at work or an uninspiring afternoon filled with too many calls and engagements, the hankering for something sweet gets too real. Mid-week desserts can feel like an indulgence but there are some easy, less calorie-intense options out there which make these inevitable sweet cravings slightly more manageable.
Turn away from the denser and more decadent alternatives to instead opt for these straightforward, lighter treats that satisfy your sweet cravings without overdoing it on the calories. These are desserts which can be consumed after lunch or dinner, as delicious homemade sweet treats, sans the guilt.
Greek Yoghurt And Berry Parfait
Complete with the probiotic qualities of Greek yoghurt and the fresh flavours and vitamins of assorted fruits like strawberries and raspberries, this is a parfait which can satisfy your mid-week need for sweet food while keeping the overall calorie count in check.
Unsweetened Greek yoghurt can be layered in a small cup with fresh berries and some chia seeds. Finish the fruit cup off with a honey drizzle to elevate that sweet touch. Have the parfait as an afternoon snack or as a sweet bite after a light lunch made-up of a sandwich or a protein-packed chickpeas wrap.
Dark Chocolate And Nut Clusters
Spare an hour over the weekend to prepare these small bites exactly for these expected mid-week sweet cravings. Melt good quality dark chocolate and pour it all over a mixture of crushed almonds, cashews, pistachios and more.
Now, place the nut clusters in small moulds and freeze. Once they are completely set, demould the clusters and store them in an airtight jar in the fridge. One or two pieces of the clusters free of any added sugars will be enough to satisfy mid-week sweet cravings that arise late afternoon or at tea time.
Baked Cinnamon Apples
Warm, comforting and utterly delicious, baked apples can be an adequately low-calorie yet elegant sweet treat eaten post dinner to quench your mid-week cravings. Peel and slice fresh, crispy apples and sprinkle them with cinnamon.
Place them on a parchment paper in a baking tray and prop this in the oven for 15-20 minutes. The apple slices will begin to release their natural sugars and caramelise lightly, until they become soft but not mushy. Add a spoonful of Greek yoghurt to them while serving for an extra creamy touch.
Banana And Peanut Butter Bites
Think banana slivers lathered with creamy and dense peanut butter as a dessert alternative eaten with your afternoon tea or black coffee. A naturally sweet option, slice bananas thinly and spread peanut butter generously all over them.
Freeze for 30 minutes so the butter settles on the fruit. Slice into bite-sized pieces and dust them with cocoa powder for the finish. These peanut butter bites full of healthy fats and fruits sugars will be enough to rid you of your sweet cravings without overwhelming the gut with intense dessert options that can be tough to digest.
Oats And Dates Energy Balls
Dates are naturally sweet, energising and filling. Seedless dates can be tossed in a little bit of ghee on a low flame, mixed with half-cooked oats and cocoa powder and moulded into little round energy balls. Coat them in lightly roasted poppy seeds while still warm.
Freeze the oats and dates balls so they retain their shape. These naturally sweetened treats can be popped into your mouth on-the-go, whenever you feel like you need something sweet or are quite low on energy. Make small energy balls in order to maintain a moderate portion size and a watchful eye on your total calorie count.
