Taste Life Blog

You are in luck. Time to celebrate National Dessert Day!

Did you know the top five desserts in order are cake, ice cream, cupcakes, cookies and pie?

Check out these RD approved go-to favorite desserts! And don’t forget to celebrate by eating dessert for dinner at least once this month!

Steph Saullo, MS, RD, LDN

Chocolate chip cookies (it’s gotta be a solid, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside-buttery-with-the-right-amount-of-salt-and-not-too-sweet-chocolate-chip cookie)

Really cookies in general, are my favorite, especially cookies (Italian cookies) at Christmas time. They just bring back memories of big Christmases with my entire family when my grandparents were still around. All the grandchildren would be running around the house driving everyone crazy. It was fantastic. @StephSaullo

 

Lynda Enright MS, RDN, LD, CLT

Chocolate Avocado Chia Pudding

• 2 very ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp chia seeds

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and silky. You might need to stop the blender and mix with a spoon to make the blending easier. Put in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving (this allows the chia to thicken). Optional: Sprinkle with chopped almonds or walnuts or mix in fresh or frozen and thawed cherries or strawberries. Serves 6. Recipe adapted from here. @lyndaenright

 

Stephanie Dunne, MS, RD, CDN

I have two healthy dessert recipes that are go to’s for me. The first is if I just want to make dessert for myself: 8 oz of coconut milk, 5 oz of frozen pineapple and a handful of arugula mixed up in a blender (with additional water as needed for desired thickness). It tastes like a Pina colada, but with a peppery kick from the arugula. Plus, even though it’s a treat, I’m getting healthy fats and lots of nutrients.

My second is if I am cooking for more than just me! I will slice pears into 8 pieces and saute them in butter until golden brown on the sides. (This works best over med-low heat so you don’t burn the edges before the center of each piece gets soft.) Then, after cooling slightly, I will top them with a dollop of real whipped cream (no sugar added!), a tablespoon of toasted almond slivers and, if I’m really craving something sweet, a little drizzle of raw honey (but usually it doesn’t need it). Each pear makes 2 servings and it’s easy to scale this up for a dinner party, depending on the size of your skillet! @nutritionqed

 

Allison L Boyd, RDN, CYT, CDE 

I love chocolate for dessert! Chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate truffles!

 

Amy Gorin, MS, RDN

I love these Almond Pistachio Cocoa Bites. They’re not only delicious, they’re also full of good-for-you healthy fats, protein, and fiber that’ll help keep you full ‘till bedtime. @amygorin

 

Alexandra Larson, MS, RDN, LD

I love angel food cake with strawberries and homemade real whipped cream. I have always loved how light, sweet and fluffy angel food cake is, and top it with homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries… It’s simple and perfect. @AlexLarsonRD

 

Naomi May, MS, RDN, LD

I have a sweet tooth. I admit it, so I am always looking at options that will not cause my blood sugar to go too crazy when I eat it, but still deliver that “sweetness” I am craving. This cake is so easy to make and so delicious and all the ingredients are wholesome. A little really goes a long way. I hope it meets your chocolate cake craving too! @NaomiMayRDN

Decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake

• 3 – 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
• 4 whole eggs
• ½ cup butter or coconut oil
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¾ cup maple syrup

Preheat oven to 375F, and grease an 8″ spring-form pan or 9” pie plate with coconut oil or butter.

Melt the unsweetened baking chocolate and butter together, stirring until completely smooth. I like to use a double-boiler, but a pan directly on the stove (use very low heat) or melting in the oven in an oven-safe bowl for about 4-5 minutes also should work.)

Combine the melted chocolate/butter with maple syrup and then add the cocoa powder and eggs, stirring continually, and whisk well until a smooth batter forms. (Make sure the chocolate/butter mix is not too hot or it could “cook” the eggs. This is why I like to add the maple syrup fast and make sure the chocolate mixture is off the heat.) Pour the batter into the greased pan.

Bake at 375F° for 20-25 minutes, until the center looks firm. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove the sides if using a spring form pan and allow to cool completely before serving. Delicious served as is or topped with raspberries! Recipe adapted from here.

 

Elizabeth Shaw MS RDN LDN

It’s hard to choose since I am an EOD (equal opportunity desserter), however I am a sucker for a donut! I love cake donuts, heated, at night with a cool glass of milk. But, since I am also a simpleswapper, I love to oven bake these Chocolate Peanut Brittle Donuts at home! Buying a donut pan was the best investment I’ve ever made! @shawsimpleswaps

 

Jill Merkel MS, RD, CSSD

I love pumpkin! Here is a 3 ingredient super simple pumpkin cookie recipe!

• 1 15oz. can pumpkin puree
• 1 18oz. box spice cake mix
• 1 12oz. package chocolate chips

Mix everything together and drop onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

They are kind of like a mix between cookies and cake and they are so good! @RunEatSnap

 

Sharon Lehrman, MPH, RDN, LD

Here’s one of my favorites for fall. I like it because it is so easy, the smell of cinnamon when it’s cooking is tantalizing, and everyone loves it. If anyone has a nut allergy they use a different nut or substitute sunflower seeds instead.

Apples, Cranberries, and Raisins with Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup raisins
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 5 Gala, McIntosh or Haralson Apples, cored and chopped . (leave peels on if you buy organic)
• ½ of an orange, peeled and chopped (membranes removed)

Combine all ingredients except the oranges in a large microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high for 15-20 minutes or until apples are soft, stirring occasionally (cover for half the cooking time). Stir in the chopped oranges.  Cool slightly, divide among 6 dishes, and top each with ¼ cup vanilla nonfat frozen yogurt. Serves 6

 

Dana Eshelman, RD

I am a chocoholic!! I love making plain Greek yogurt with dark cocoa baking powder and a dash of cinnamon for dessert. It is a must-try!   @dana_esh

 

Kelly R. Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN

I love chocolate chip cookies, especially when they are right out of the oven and soft in the middle but a little crispy on the outside. Growing up, I would always bake with my Grandmother when I went to her house, and more often than not we would make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I think I still love cookies over other desserts because of those memories but also because of the taste and texture. Not much beats melted chocolate chips for me!   @eatreallivewell

 

Beth Klos, RD, LDN, CDE

My favorite dessert is fresh apples, sliced, peeled, and sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices to taste.  Maybe add a clove or two and some raisins.  I like them poached, or for a quicker option, cooked thoroughly in the microwave.  For a topping, birch or maple syrups work well for extra sweetness.  A little brandy can be fun, too, and make it seem decadent.  The finished product reminds me of apple pie filling, so delicious when the apples are soft and warm!  It tastes like the best of fall.

Hope you enjoyed these fav desserts. What are your favorite desserts? We can’t wait to hear!