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The UCookbook:
A Sweet Tooth Without Added Sugar



Brynn makes no-cook peanut butter pie. (MP4, 03:32)


Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients For The Crust:
  • 4 pitted dates
  • ¼ cup raw cashews
  • 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
  • pinch of salt
Ingredients For The Filling:
  • 3 bananas
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup organic virgin coconut oil
  • Honey or stevia extract, to taste
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
Directions
  • Combine all crust ingredients in a food processor or blender. Press mixture into a 7-inch pie plate. Set aside.
  • Combine all filling ingredients in a food processor or blender until evenly combined. Pour into the pie crust and refrigerate until chilled.
-Brynn, University of California, Irvine

Hannah uses a blender to make banana vegan ice cream. (MP4, 02:13)


Vegan Banana Ice Cream

Ingredients:
  • Frozen bananas
  • Vanilla Extract
Directions
  • Mash the frozen bananas using a food processor until the consistency is similar to that of soft-serve ice cream. If there are any banana chunks left, use a blender to process them further. Once the bananas have reached your desired consistency, add the vanilla extract and any other 'add-ins' that you like, such as chocolate chips or blueberries.
-Hannah, University of Vermont

Karlene creates 'caramel' apples. (MP4, 02:08)


Healthy Candied Apples

Ingredients:
  • Apples, cored and cut into slices
  • Dates, pitted
  • Cacao nibs
  • Coconut flakes
  • Chopped nuts
Directions
  • Puree the dates in a food processor until they become a smooth paste.
  • Skewer the apple slices and spread the date puree on all sides. Cover the slices with your desired toppings. Cacao nibs, coconut flakes, and chopped nuts are recommended.
-Karlene, University of Alabama

More Recipes


I like to use stevia, which is a zero calorie sweetener that comes from the stevia plant, therefore it is all-natural, and is not made up of chemicals like Splenda® or Equal®. I also enjoy using agave as a sweetener as well. This comes from an agave plant, and is a syrup or nectar and can be used in plenty of baking recipes.
-Maria D., Elmhurst College

When baking I tend to use applesauce as a substitute for sugar and coconut oil instead of canola oil/vegetable oil.
-Sheba C., Pennsylvania State University
I try to avoid sugars and stick to things that are naturally sweet such as fruit (especially bananas). When I do use sweeteners I use honey, agave, or stevia, and sometimes real maple syrup for treats.
-Stephanie L., George Fox University

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Smoothie

Try a fresh fruit and vegetable smoothie: banana, apple, spinach/kale, carrots, strawberries, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and either orange juice or coconut milk.
-Tecia P., Life University

No-Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal

Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup quick oats
  • 1/2 cup oat flour (Or make your own by blending oats in a food processor until they become powder. Measure after blending.)
  • 1//4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 cup xylitol (a natural sugar substitute)
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup canned pumpkin (or sweet potato puree)
  • 2 to 2 1/2 Tbsp. milk of choice, as needed
  • 1 Tbsp. oil (omit if desired, but I can’t vouch for the results)
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • Optional: a pinch pumpkin pie spice and/or handful mini chocolate chips
Directions
  • Combine all ingredients in a pot. Cook as per quick oat instructions.
-Alisa C., University of Southern California

Sugar-Free Apple Dessert

Ingredients
  • 3 cups peeled and sliced apples
  • 1 cup apple juice
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 4-6 sugar-free graham crackers, crushed
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp. butter
Directions
  • Mix apples with cornstarch and cinnamon. Put in glass baking dish. Pour apple juice over, dot with butter. Put cracker crumbs on top. Bake at 350? Fahrenheit for 1 hour or until apples are tender.
-Robyn H., Winona State University

Granola

Ingredients
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/8 cup cranberries
Directions
  • Stir honey into the oats and cranberries. Place the mixture onto a greased cookie sheet. Place in oven at 400? Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, then stir. Cook until crunchy. For a sweeter and crunchier consistency use more honey, for less sweetness use less honey.
-Kalia M., George Fox University

Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup raisin granola
  • 1 cup yogurt (Greek-style has more protein and a thicker texture)
  • 1/2 cup favorite fruit (seasonal is preferred)
Directions
  • Layer yogurt and fruit into a cup and then top it off with granola.
-Riley F., University Of Montana

Three-Step Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients
  • 1 3/4 cups cooked pumpkin (15 oz. can)
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp. maple flavoring
  • 1/2 tsp. coriander
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. fresh peeled or dried ginger (optional)
Directions
  • Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour.
  • Tip: For a lower-fat version, use 1/2 can coconut milk with 1/2 can of water or 2 cups soy or nut milk.
-Shelly H., Ashford University
My favorite sweet snack is real fruit Popsicles. You take fruit of your choice like strawberries, then prep them so they are mashed. Add a bit of milk (of your choice) and honey, agave, or stevia if desired. Mix everything together and distribute your mix into popsicle molds and freeze for a day.
-Husang L., University of Florida

I love to make smoothies using fresh fruit, plain Greek yogurt, spinach, kale, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Though some of the ingredients are a bit strange, it makes for a delicious and nutritious smoothie! The more fruit you use, the sweeter it will be.
-Melanie S., Xavier University
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