This is a collection of my best easy dessert recipes in 2016 that includes a mix of Western, Asian, Chinese & Fusion creations. Made of simple (easy-to-find) ingredients with uncomplicated steps so you can try these sweet treats at home anytime. They are very suitable for tea parties and entertaining too. 😉
Most if not all of these desserts are made in the healthiest way possible. While they may not be low in calories, they are definitely lower in sugar and saturated fat because I would always reduce the amount of sugar used and substitute ingredients with healthier alternatives like skimmed milk, whole wheat flour, sunflower/canola oil (instead of butter), etc. I also like to introduce fruits into my dessert recipes just to boost the natural sweetness (so as to reduce amount of added sugar) which is also a great way to consume more fruits.
Who says desserts are definitely bad for us?
These are not over-loaded with the negatives but it also doesn’t mean we should go overboard and indulge like there’s no tomorrow. So always eat in moderation, enjoy and have a fantastic year ahead! 🙂
22 Quick & Easy Dessert Recipes
1. Cinnamon Sugar Breadsticks
A great way to use up those unwanted bread crusts or day-old bread. These breadsticks are apt for any meal parties that you may have as they are inexpensive to make, great for sharing and taste pretty awesome too ‘cos cinnamon and sugar seldom go wrong.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/01/05/cinnamon-sugar-breadsticks/
2. Milo Dinosaur Chia Seed Pudding
My fusion invention with a local twist that combines superfood chia seed and our all-time favourite Milo. It makes a great breakfast that will sure fuel you up ‘cos chia seeds would keep you satiated for longer. All that chocolatey goodness – simply irresistible.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/01/10/milo-dinosaur-chia-seed-pudding/
3. Apple Crumble
A shareable and delicious crowd-pleaser to wow your family and friends. Granny Smith apples were used because their tartness made a great contrast with the other ingredients. This is best paired with my homemade custard sauce. Simply yummy.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/02/07/apple-crumble-recipe/
4. Cranberry Walnut Bread
Fresh cranberries are awfully sour but they make the perfect complement to the walnut bread with a contrasting tartness. This may look like a bread loaf but it’s pretty much a dessert treat. Delicious when eaten warm and paired with a cuppa.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/03/21/healthy-cranberry-walnut-bread-recipe/
5. Cranberry Streusel Muffins
Fresh cranberries make great additions to sweet baked goods as their tartness gives a somewhat refreshing note. The regular streusel topping is usually made using butter, sugar and flour but I used rolled oats instead just to keep these sweet treats a little lighter.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/05/02/cranberry-streusel-muffins-recipe/
6. Banana & Chocolate Chip Mochi Donuts
These decadent mochi donuts are springy and chewy with a crispy crust and a melty chocolate centre. Impossible to just stop at one.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/07/05/mochi-donuts-recipe/
7. Rice Payasam
My homemade version of rice kheer (or payasam) using arborio rice, skimmed milk, freshly ground cardamom, cashews, almonds and raisins. It’s sweet, rich, creamy and milky with the rice still tasting a little al dente. Yum!
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/07/07/kheer-recipe/
8. Whole Wheat Oatmeal Raisin Muffins
Whole wheat muffins are denser and heavier than regular ones but they are lower in GI (just go easy on added sugar) and make you feel fuller for longer so they make a great breakfast treat to start the day off.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/07/08/whole-wheat-oatmeal-raisin-muffins-recipe/
9. Dorayaki
Doraemon’s favourite snack which is just 2 pancakes sandwiched with red bean paste. It may not be easy at first to make round and evenly browned pancakes so check out my recipe for tips to achieve that.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/07/13/dorayaki-recipe/
10. Nutty Breadsticks
An upgraded version of my earlier Cinnamon Sugar Breadsticks ‘cos I added ground almonds in this recipe. Crunchy, nutty and sweet with a lovely taste of cinnamon. Be sure to store away extra bread just so you can start making these.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/07/15/nutty-breadsticks-recipe/
11. Steamed Green Tea Cake
These are ‘huat kueh’ style steamed matcha cakes with red bean paste filling. Symbolises ‘prosperity’ as they have this ‘open flower top’ effect so they make a great dessert treat during Chinese New Year which I’m sure the older folks would love. Huat ah!
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/07/23/steamed-green-tea-cake-recipe/
12. Blueberry & Guava Muffins
Guavas have the highest amount of vitamin C as compared to other fruits and blueberries are also rich in antioxidants. Who says muffins can’t be healthy, right? Just don’t go overboard with added sugar.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/08/28/blueberry-and-guava-muffins-recipe/
13. Banana Donuts
Fried banana fritter balls a.k.a. Kuih Kodok or Cekodok. The outside is crispy while the inside is soft & bready. It’s a great way to use up leftover or overripe bananas and also an inexpensive and easy-to-make snack that’s fit for the whole family.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/08/30/fried-banana-donuts-recipe/
14. Apple Pear Bread Pudding Muffins
This recipe is about combining a bread pudding with a muffin. The batter is quite wet but the end result is a muffin with an almost pudding-like consistency that’s best eaten with a spoon. We get sweetness & crunch from the diced fruits and all that chocolatey goodness from the chocolate chips – best of both worlds indeed.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/09/02/bread-pudding-muffins-recipe/
15. Snow Fungus Soup
This is almost like a ‘Cheng Tng’ (清汤) (with an extra twist of sweet apricot kernels & goji berries) packed with so much goodness from the various elements that benefit our health in some way or another. Makes a great ‘Tong Sui’ (糖水) for the whole family.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/09/14/snow-fungus-soup-recipe/
16. Banana Carrot Cake
Roasting whole bananas in the oven can ripen them up more by drawing out their natural sugars. Mash them up, combine with cake batter and add carrots for extra sweetness. This cake is moist, not overly sweet and has a lovely aroma of cinnamon.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/09/18/banana-carrot-cake-recipe/
17. Pear & Peach Muffins
I like to use fresh fruits in my bakes instead of dried or preserved ones that would contain too much added sugar. And with the use of whole wheat flour, rolled oats, soy milk and healthy oil, it is not impossible to make muffins nutritious and wholesome too.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/09/29/pear-peach-muffins-recipe/
18. Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is like one of the easiest desserts to make because all we need are some kitchen staples like butter, milk, eggs and sugar. And what we have to do is to dress the bread pudding up with our favourite toppings or serve it with ice cream.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/10/22/chocolate-chip-bread-pudding-recipe/
19. Spinach Muffins
I used baby spinach leaves to give these muffins a lovely green colour. The sweetness of the bananas, crunch of the corn, bitter-sweet flavour of the goji berries all came together pretty well. And like my previous muffin bakes, I would add whole wheat flour, rolled oats and less sugar just to keep these muffins wholesome and healthy.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/11/05/spinach-muffins-recipe/
20. Banana Oatmeal Cookies
These cookie bites look like the usual oatmeal cookies but they don’t contain flour, egg, butter or added sugar. The main binding ingredient? Mashed ripe bananas. With a dessert snack as healthy as this, how can we simply stop at one?
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/12/17/banana-oatmeal-cookies-recipe/
21. Yogurt Parfait
A healthy parfait made up of layers of toasted rolled oats, assorted fruits and non-fat yogurt with a topping of chopped nuts & coconut. Perfect to detox the system after a weekend of bingeing.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/12/26/healthy-yogurt-parfait-recipe/
22. Nutella French Toast Roll Ups
Love French toast & Nutella? Then you have to give this easy recipe a try. It’s another great way to turn day-old bread into a delicious treat.
Get the recipe: http://www.springtomorrow.com/2016/12/24/nutella-french-toast-roll-ups/
And here you have, 22 wholesome sweet treats to kickstart your new year’s resolutions. Enjoy these quick and easy dessert recipes and have a smashing start to 2017! 🙂 Till next year, folks!