Summer Fest: Four Healthy Berry Recipes

By: Cameron Curtis

June is prime season for cooking and eating berries. Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are all in their prime at markets right now. Blackberries are just starting to be seen, as well, though they'll peak later in the summer. Some of the best ways to feature these berries are in simple summer desserts like cobblers, crisps or trifles. But if you still want the sweetness of these berries without the calories that these classic desserts pack on, we've got four light favorites to satisfy your sweet tooth.

1. Maple Berry Parfait (pictured above)

Bobby Deen adds more sweetness to blueberries, raspberries and strawberries with a touch of maple syrup. Layer them with a part-skim ricotta cheese mixture and top with toasted walnuts for a finishing crunch.

This dessert from Laura Calder looks decadent but  has only 183 calories per serving. Stir framboise (raspberry liqueur) into the tart's creamy filling and top with neatly arranged raspberries.

Balsamic Strawberries with Ricotta Cream; Ellie Krieger

Balsamic Strawberries with Ricotta Cream; Ellie Krieger

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

Ellie Krieger makes a syrup of balsamic vinegar with a touch of sugar to toss with strawberries and basil. Serve the soaked strawberries over a bowl of chilled ricotta and honey.

This four-ingredient dessert can be prepared in just 10 minutes and freezes in an hour. Traditional custard-based strawberry ice cream has 282 calories, 12 grams of saturated fat and 134 times the cholesterol of this option, which has only 70 calories per serving and less than 1/2 gram of saturated fat.

More Healthy Summer Recipes:
Light Summer Desserts
More Berry Recipes From Family and Friends:
Taste With The Eyes: Blueberry Limoncello Pavlova
Sweet Life Bake: Paletas de Fresca y Aguacate
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Mixed Berry Tea Cake
Virtually Homemade: Blueberry Mint Margaritas
Haute Apple Pie: Triple Berry Ice Cream
Domesticate Me: Summer Berry Crisp
Weelicious: Brainy Breakfast

From My Corner of Saratoga: Mixed Berry Freezer Pops

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