Different types of healthy fruit desserts can include chocolate covered strawberries, cheesecake stuffed strawberries, jello fruit salad, and fruit compotes. Choosing fruit as the primary base in a dessert instead of processed sugar can benefit any individual's health. All types of fruit are high in fiber and vitamins, and contain a type of natural sugar that is more easily digested by the body and provides them with a sweet taste. They may be eaten alone or prepared quickly and easily as part of a larger dish.
Strawberries may be prepared in a variety of ways to create several different kinds of healthy fruit desserts. Chocolate covered strawberries can be prepared quickly and easily, and can satisfy a chocolate lover's sweet tooth without compromising the antioxidant properties that make this fruit healthy. Semi-sweet, milk-chocolate, white chocolate, or dark chocolate morsels can be melted in the microwave to prepare the dip. Fruit is then dipped into the stirred, melted chocolate and set on wax paper to harden. Other types of fruit can be dipped in this same manner, such as pineapple wedges, kiwi slices, and apple slices.
Instead of indulging in a cheesecake covered in strawberry sauce, healthy dieters can instead prepare an adapted version of cheesecake stuffed strawberries. The fruit is typically hollowed out from the top, and the bottoms are evenly sliced so that each strawberry can stand upright on its own. The cheesecake filling can be prepared using reduced calorie or fat free cream cheese, sugar or a sugar substitute, and vanilla extract. The ingredients are blended until smooth and then squeezed into each berry using a decorator's bag or a plastic storage bag with the tip cut off. Reduced calorie or sugar free graham cracker crumbles may be sprinkled over the top.
Jello fruit salad is one of the most commonly prepared types of healthy fruit desserts. Either fresh chopped or canned fruit can be used in these recipes. Any flavor of gelatin is first dissolved into hot water and allowed to cool, then the fruit is mixed into the gelatin and allowed to harden in the refrigerator. Cottage cheese is a popular food item to mix into this type of dessert to add texture. It may also be prepared in layers using different fruit varieties, and separated by layers of sour cream or fat free cream cheese.
Fruit compotes may be mixed together from any type of fruit, whether fresh, frozen, or canned, and used in healthy fruit desserts. Chopped fruit is first placed in a sauce pan over a stove top burner set to medium heat. Spices and extracts may be stirred in to suit the taste preferences of the chef, including cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, orange peel, or nutmeg. A small amount of fruit juice may be added to increase the amount of liquid present in the pot. Once the mixture is bubbling, a lid can be placed over the top to trap in moisture, and allowed to simmer for several minutes, up to half an hour.
These compotes may be served hot as a sweet filling or delicious topping. The cooked fruit may be served alone and topped with chopped nuts or graham crackers. It can easily be spooned down the center of crepes, which are then rolled and topped with light whipped cream. Fat free frozen yogurt is easily enhanced when topped with freshly prepared, bubbling fruit, as well.