Healthy Desserts for Kids

We all like a nice treat now and again, and if your kids are anything like my daughter, they will LOVE having dessert every night. Instead of saying no to desserts all of the time, there are lots of healthy dessert recipes that will give your family a sweet fix without consuming too much sugar.

Here are some of our favorite recipes that are all easy to make and contain common ingredients.

Cocoa-Nut Bananas >

These tasty treats are great for a quick dessert or for an after school snack. Bananas are packed full of vitamins and potassium that help build our muscles and look after our heart, so they are always a great snack for kids.

The coconut adds a little bit of sweetness without being too overwhelming.

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons of cocoa powder
• 4 teaspoons of toasted unsweetened coconut
• 2 small bananas, sliced on the bias

Method

1. Place cocoa and coconut on separate plates.
2. Roll each banana slice in the cocoa, shake off the excess, then dip in the coconut. Easy-peasy!

Healthy Cinnamon Orange Dessert >

Oranges are a big favorite in our house and this simple recipe turns a standard orange into a special after dinner treat. One portion of this citrus dessert will provide your little ones with 150% of their daily vitamin C requirements and only 86 calories.

Ingredients

• 4 navel oranges
• 2 tablespoons of orange juice
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Method

1. With a sharp knife, remove rind and white pith from oranges.
2. Cut each into 5 or 6 slices and arrange on 4 plates.
3. Whisk together orange juice and lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon.
4. Spoon over the orange slices.

Heart Healthy Rice Pudding for Kids >

My all time favorite dessert when I was a child was my Grandmother’s rice pudding—I can still taste it now, mmm. You can give your kids the taste of an old classic with this low-fat dessert that is a great fall and winter warmer.

To make the dish even healthier, you can top with fresh or dried fruit. We like to serve it in small ramekins as they are just the right size for a kid's portion.

Ingredients

• 3 1⁄2 cups of nonfat milk
• 1⁄2 cup of arborio rice, uncooked
• 1 cinnamon stick, about 3 inches long
• 3 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, grated
• 1⁄2 teaspoon of vanilla
• Ground cinnamon

Method

1. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, stir together the 2 1/2 cups milk and the rice. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Reduce the heat to medium-high and boil for 5-6 minutes or until the mixture begins to thicken, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in the other 1 cup of milk, the cinnamon stick, sugar and lemon zest.
4. Increase the heat to high and return to a boil, stirring occasionally.
5. Reduce the heat to medium high and boil for 4-5 minutes or until creamy and soupy.
6. Remove from the heat.
7. Stir in the vanilla and let the mixture stand for 30 minutes to thicken somewhat.
8. Before serving, remove the cinnamon stick. Sprinkle the individual dishes of pudding with ground cinnamon to your tastes.

Mini Toasted Strawberry Shortcakes >

How cute do these mini desserts look? Yes, there is quite a bit of sugar in the ingredients list, but there are only 72 calories per serving and a little bit goes a long way for little mouths.

The main problem with this dish is that you won’t be able to keep your hands off them.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup of finely chopped strawberries, plus 24 whole small strawberries
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 store-bought angel food cake
• 1 large pasteurized egg white
• 1/4 cup marshmallow cream, plus more for topping
• 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

Method

1. Toss the chopped strawberries, vanilla and 4 tablespoons sugar in a bowl. Set aside until syrupy, about 30 minutes.
2. Trim off the tops of the whole strawberries. Cut the cake into 1/2-inch-thick slices, then use a 1 1/2-inch-round cookie cutter to cut out 24 rounds.
3. Beat the egg white, marshmallow cream, lemon juice, salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with a mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form (the mixture may separate before coming together), about 5 minutes.
4. Dip one side of each cake round about halfway into the strawberry syrup and transfer to a baking sheet, syrup-side up. Spoon some of the chopped berries in the center. Top with a dollop of marshmallow cream.
5. Swirl the tip of each whole strawberry in the meringue. Press a strawberry, cut-side down, into the marshmallow cream on top of each cake. Toast the meringue with a kitchen torch or broil until golden, rotating as needed. Serve immediately.

Healthy Strawberry Yogurt Parfait >

This simple parfait recipe is great for whipping up a quick dessert and it can also double as an easy breakfast option for kids. If you do not have any strawberries, you can replace with any berries or soft fruit.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/2 cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup of granola

Method

1. Combine the strawberries and sugar in a small bowl and let stand until the berries start to release juice, about 5 minutes.
2. To assemble parfait, layer yogurt and the strawberries with their juice in a 2-cup container. Top with granola.

We hope that your children love these healthy dessert recipes and if you need more ideas, check out our Remember Stuff recipe search.