When people think of pumpkin and dessert, they often think of a fattening pumpkin pie. While traditional pumpkin pie can often be made with additional ingredients to increase the fat and calories, it is definitely possible to make a healthier version.
Plus, there are also many other amazing healthy dessert recipes that use pumpkin.
Healthier Pumpkin Pie
There aren’t many people who don’t love pumpkin pie in the fall or winter seasons, but unfortunately it is often loaded with sugar, carbs, and fat.
However, you can still make a yummy pumpkin pie that cuts back on those macros and lets you enjoy it without all the guilt. Take your favorite pumpkin pie recipe and just make a few adjustments.
For example, use whole wheat flour for the crust instead of regular white flower, and use pure maple syrup and a sweetener like Stevia instead of regular sugar. This makes a huge difference. Your filling can usually be the same, but increase the health with non-fat milk or nut milk, Greek yogurt, and Stevia instead of sugar. When you add eggs, try to use brown free-range eggs as they are more organic.
Pumpkin Pudding
This is a simple, low-fat dessert that will please even the pickiest family members. Pumpkin pudding only contains a handful of ingredients and is made even easier when you use allspice or pumpkin pie spice instead of adding in the clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon separately. For the pudding, you will use pure pumpkin puree, either canned pumpkin or homemade.
Just make sure you are not using pumpkin pie filling, as this is not the same thing as pumpkin puree. Use enough milk, sugar, and cornstarch according to your basic pudding recipe, and add in an egg, spices, and a little vanilla extract.
Pumpkin Scones
Who says scones can only be for breakfast? These are the perfect dessert option between meals or in the evening when you want a small indulgence, but something on the healthier side. Using pumpkin really increases the nutrients of your scones.
You can take a traditional scone recipe and just make some variations, such as with whole wheat flour, adding in Greek yogurt, and taking out the oil to add in pumpkin puree instead. Add in some spices and the other scone ingredients and you have a delicious and flavorful cone dessert. Kick it up a notch with some dark or dairy-free chocolate chips.
