I have to admit that I rarely make desserts. We get our sugar fix with fruit, but every once in a while I decide it is time to enjoy a real dessert. Most of the desserts I do create include fruit, as it is a healthy and delicious way to get our servings of fruit.

Summer is much easier for thinking sweet with an abundance of melons, berries and other wonderful bounty that fill my refrigerator.

I usually run to the fridge when hungry or want something sweet and grab a handful of berries. I always have a bowl of cut-up melon and fresh berries in the fridge for quick snacking.

This is a great way to keep you from the cookie jar. We always buy fruit in season or on sale to keep the cost down. With most of these recipes you can substitute different berries that are on sale that day.

Please note that my sweetener of choice is Xylitol which has no after taste and is reported to help regulate blood sugar. Xylitol also has about half the calories as regular sugar.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

My favorite healthy dessert is chocolate avocado mousse. You may have seen recipes for this avocado mousse, but I add a few different ingredients.

Ingredients

3 ripe avocados

3/4 cup of cacao powder, the raw unprocessed version of cocoa powder

2 tablespoons of xylitol (a healthy sugar substitute)

1/2 cup of coconut milk (regular milk will work)

1 cup of raspberries

1 tablespoon of raspberry liquor (optional)

Directions

• Mash the avocados until smooth.
• Add the cacao powder and blend well.
• Add the xylitol in small amounts until you are satisfied with how sweet you like the mousse.
• Mix the milk in the avocado blend and stir until smooth.
• Blend the raspberries in the mousse mixture.
• Add the liquor and mix well.
• Refrigerate for at least two hours.

Fruit and Yogurt Whip

This dessert can substitute for a fruit salad and can be used for a quick lunch during the summer. This fruit dessert keeps for about four days in the fridge, and is great for snacking when the sweet tooth becomes live.

Ingredients

1 pint of plain Greek Yogurt (full fat)

1 cup of blueberries

3 peaches, cubed

2 cups of chopped pineapple

3 kiwis, chopped

1 cup of strawberries

1/4 cup of honey

1 cup of coconut (optional)

Directions

• Blend the honey, yogurt and blueberries in the blender until the yogurt becomes blue in color and is very smooth.
• Taste the yogurt blend to make sure it is sweet enough for your taste, and if not, add more honey.
• Blend the coconut into the yogurt mixture.
• Add the yogurt mixture carefully into the fruit, making sure all is well blended.
• Refrigerate for at least one hour.

Fruit Yogurt Dip

The fruit and yogurt dip is great for dipping chunks of oranges, peaches, pineapple and even melons.

Ingredients

1 pint of Greek Yogurt

1/2 cup each of raspberries and strawberries

2 mint leaves

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

2 tablespoons of Xylitol or honey

Directions

Blend all the ingredients together in your blender until smooth, and serve with chilled chunks of fruit. This recipe is really fun for dinner parties, and your guests can have as much as they want.

Do you have any favorite healthy summer desserts? Please share your favorites in the comments below!