You don’t need to avoid desserts at any time in your life, least of all while you’re being treated for cancer. In fact, desserts can serve as the highlight of your meal, make a welcome snack, or provide a bit of comfort when you’re on a rocky road.
Cold desserts are awesome, particularly for novice chefs, because they’re incredibly easy to make. No baking is required — but this doesn’t mean you’ll be avoiding the stove altogether. Some of these recipes do require cooking; others require some blending or food-processing action.
Homemade Fruit Gelatin
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
4 cups 100 percent grape or cranberry juice
4 tablespoons agar flakes
1 pinch sea salt
1/2 cup sliced fresh fruit or canned in juice (optional)
In a medium saucepan over high heat, mix the juice, agar flakes, and sea salt. Bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring to dissolve the agar. Add the fruit slices, if desired.
Pour the mixture into a gel mold or container and refrigerate for 60 to 90 minutes or until set.
Per serving: Calories 79 (From Fat 1); Fat 0g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 22mg; Carbohydrate 19g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 1g.
Frozen Pumpkin Treats
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Yield: 9 servings
18 graham cracker squares
One 15-ounce can pumpkin
One 15-ounce carton vanilla frozen yogurt (softened in the refrigerator)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Line a 9-x-9-inch baking pan with 9 of the graham cracker squares and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mix the pumpkin with the softened frozen yogurt, cinnamon, and ginger.
Spread the pumpkin mixture on top of the graham cracker squares.
Top the mixture with the remaining graham cracker squares.
Freeze until frozen.
Per serving: Calories 127 (From Fat 21); Fat 2g (Saturated 1g); Cholesterol 3mg; Sodium 116mg; Carbohydrate 24g (Dietary Fiber 3g); Protein 4g.
Triple Antioxidant Yogurt Popsicles
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Freeze time: 3 hours
Yield: 12 servings
1 cup strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup blackberries
2 cups vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon honey
In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients and process until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Pour the mixture into 12 popsicle forms (that hold at least 4 ounces each), following the product’s instructions, and freeze for at least 3 hours before serving.
Per serving: Calories 59 (From Fat 6); Fat 1g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 2mg; Sodium 28mg; Carbohydrate 12g (Dietary Fiber 1g); Protein 2g.
This recipe is exceptionally versatile. Switch the fruits, yogurt flavor, and/or juice and you’ll have a whole new tasty concoction! You can even opt to change the texture by not pureeing the mixture until completely smooth or by adding some chopped fruit into the mix. A bit of bananas, for example, are excellent frozen and provide a touch of creaminess.
Cranberry Snow
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
3 cups 100 percent cranberry juice
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup uncooked farina
In a large saucepan, bring the cranberry juice to a boil over moderate heat and stir in the agave nectar.
When the juice has come to a boil, slowly add the farina, stirring briskly with a wire whisk. Reduce the heat and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes a thick puree.
Using a rubber spatula, transfer the puree to a large mixing bowl. Whip the pudding for 10 to 15 minutes using an electric mixer set to a high speed. The pudding will triple in volume and become fluffy and a light pink color.
Pour the pudding into a large bowl or individual dessert bowls. Serve immediately or cool in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Per serving: Calories 217 (From Fat 1); Fat 0g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 4mg; Carbohydrate 53g (Dietary Fiber 3g); Protein 3g.
This Finnish dessert is often served with milk on the side — a good way to add protein and extra calories.
You can make this recipe with virtually any juice, but apple juice works particularly well. If you decide to use apple juice, add a tablespoon of lemon juice or omit the agave nectar. Made with apple juice, this recipe is easy on the stomach and can even be eaten as a meal when you’re experiencing stomach upset or queasiness.
Chilled Minty Strawberry Soup
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
1 cup unsweetened apple or orange juice
2 cups strawberries
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup fresh chopped mint
1/2 cup plain yogurt
4 ginger snaps, crumbled (optional)
Place all the ingredients except for the ginger snaps in a food processor or blender and blend until well combined.
If desired, strain the soup through a mesh strainer to remove any seeds.
Chill well. When ready to serve, pour into individual bowls and top with crumbled ginger snaps, if you like.
Per serving: Calories 124 (From Fat 5); Fat 1g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 2mg; Sodium 29mg; Carbohydrate 29g (Dietary Fiber 2g); Protein 3g.