6 Irresistible Sweet Diabetes Friendly Desserts & Recipes

Did you know that over 37 million Americans have diabetes? This often leads to sitting out on holidays like Thanksgiving, or so you think! Managing diabetes is about making smart choices, not cutting out sweet treats entirely. 

This article shares 6 irresistible diabetes friendly desserts that won’t spike your blood sugar and will have you wanting more. Let’s jump right in!

1. Walnut-Pumpkin Cheesecake

Starting strong on our diabetes friendly desserts list, these cheesecakes typically don’t use much sugar. This recipe uses maple syrup and canned pumpkin for some natural sweetness! It’s the perfect addition to your holiday table of desserts for type 2 diabetes. 

Ingredients

• 1 c. 1% cottage cheese
• 8 oz. fat-free cream cheese
• 3 large omega-3-enriched eggs
• 1/2 c. pumpkin puree
• 1/3 c. + 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 c. walnut

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat the bottom and sides of a 9″ pie plate with cooking spray.
2. Place cottage cheese in a blender or food processor. Blend for 3 minutes or until very smooth, scraping down sides. Add cream cheese, eggs, pumpkin, a cup of maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Process until smooth. Pour into prepared pie plate.
3. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a rack and cool completely.
4. Combine walnuts and remaining maple syrup in a small bowl. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Remove the cake to a rack to cool, and refrigerate it for 3 hours or overnight. Arrange the nuts around the edge of the cheesecake before serving.

2. Fudgy Beet Brownies

Next on our diabetes friendly desserts list are these super-fudgy brownies are made with beets and taste heavenly. And with only 16 g of carbs per brownie, they’re great for those monitoring blood sugars. It’s hard to believe that something this indulgent qualifies as diabetes friendly dessert! Among the many diabetes desserts, this recipe also ranks high as one of the richest and most decadent desserts for diabetes.

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
• 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
• 8 oz. cooked, peeled whole beets (about 4 small beets), pureed in a blender or food processor
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. espresso powder
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temp
• 1/2 c. white whole-wheat flour

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-in. square baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on each side. Butter the paper.
2. Melt chocolate and 1/2 cup butter in a medium saucepan on low, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then whisk in sugar, pureed beets, vanilla, espresso powder, and salt. Whisk in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Fold in flour until just combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then use the overhangs to transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares. 

3. Cinnamon-Apple Cobbler

These yummy, spiced diabetes friendly desserts help you cut back on carbs, and they get all their sweetness from the apples – no added sugar in sight! This cobbler stands out among desserts for type 2 diabetes, offering a comforting flavor perfect for the holidays. If you’re looking for cozy and easy diabetes desserts or quick-to-make desserts for diabetes, this is an excellent choice.

Ingredients

• 2 firm apples, such as Pink Lady or Honeycrisp, chopped into 1/2″ pieces
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
• 1/4 c. rolled oats
• 1/3 c. chopped walnuts
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Directions

1. Coat a medium skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Cook the apples, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes or until soft and golden brown on all sides.
2. Transfer the apples to a medium bowl and gently toss with the vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon.
3. Stir the oats and walnuts together in a small bowl. Add the butter to the same skillet you used for the apples. Place over medium heat and add the oat mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and transfer to a small bowl.
4. Divide the apple mixture among 4 small bowls. Top each with one-quarter of the oat mixture. Microwave each bowl on medium power for 1 minute. Let rest for 1 minute before serving.

4. Blueberry-and-Mixed Nut Parfait

For our diabetes friendly desserts list, we needed to feature these bright and nutty treats. These blueberry-and-mixed nut parfait desserts for people with diabetes are a great snack to enjoy any time of year! Their simple preparation and wholesome ingredients make them one of the easiest desserts for type 2 diabetes to whip up. The vibrant flavors also make them a crowd favorite among diabetes desserts.

Ingredients

• 1 c. freeze-dried blueberries
• 1 c. water
• 1 pinch of salt
• 3 Tbsp. walnuts
• 3 Tbsp. almonds
• 3 Tbsp. pecans
• 3 Tbsp. pepitas
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. cardamom
• 1/2 tsp. flaky sea salt
• 1 Tbsp. orange zest
• 1/4 c. golden raisins
• 3 c. Greek yogurt

Directions

1. In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup of freeze-dried blueberries to form a powder; transfer to a small saucepan. Whisk in water and simmer until thickened about 15 minutes. Stir in a pinch of salt; let the sauce cool.
2. Meanwhile, toss walnuts, almonds, pecans, and pepitas with olive oil, cinnamon, cardamom, and flaky sea salt. Roast at 400°F until toasted, about 6 minutes, then toss with orange zest, the other 1/2 cup of freeze-dried blueberries, and golden raisins.
3. Make four parfaits, layering Greek yogurt (about 3/4 cup each), blueberry sauce (about 1 heaping Tbsp), and nut mixture (heaping 1⁄4 cup).

5. Fruit and Nut Oatmeal Cookies

This cookie is loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and rolled oats, making it one of the most nutritious diabetes – friendly desserts. It’s also perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a healthier twist. If you’re looking for quick and easy diabetes desserts, these cookies are ideal options.

Ingredients

• 4 medium bananas, mashed
• 1/3 c. vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 1/2 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
• 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
• 1/2 c. raisins
• 1/2 c. chopped apricots
• 1/2 c. chopped dates or prunes
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat baking sheets with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the bananas, oil, almond extract, and lemon zest. With an electric mixer at medium speed, beat for 1 minute or until a smooth batter forms. Add the oats, flour, raisins, apricots, dates, and nuts and stir until just blended. Drop the dough by rounded teaspoons about 2″ apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each cookie by pressing gently with the tines of a fork.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a rack to cool.

6. Apple Cupcakes

This tasty, diabetes friendly dessert combines the natural sweetness of honey and apples, incorporates pecans for an extra boost of fiber, and blends whole wheat flour with white flour for a balanced treat. It is undoubtedly one of the top diabetes-safe desserts out there. 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
• 3/4 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter at room temperature
• 1/4 c. vegetable oil
• 1/2 c. honey
• 1/2 c. sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 c. cubed peeled apples
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper or nonstick liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Beat the butter, oil, and honey with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the sour cream and eggs. Gradually blend with the flour mixture. Fold in the apples and nuts.
4. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to racks to cool completely.