13 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts for Diabetes
Reviewed by Dietitian Victoria Seaver, M.S., RD
There’s only so much time—and oven space—on Thanksgiving Day, which is why these make-ahead diabetes-friendly desserts are key. These festive recipes can either be made entirely ahead of time or have make-ahead components, so all that’s left to do before serving is assemble the finished product. While desserts tend to be higher in added sugar, that doesn’t mean they have to be off-limits for people with diabetes—enjoying some added sugar is totally OK. These recipes were specially developed to balance the added sugar with nutrients like fiber, protein and heart-healthy fats to help keep blood sugar levels more stable. Ingredients like fruits, seeds, nuts and nut butters are great add-ins to make desserts delicious and diabetes-friendly. With recipes like Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Almond & Pear Rose Tarts, you can enjoy the sweetest part of the holiday while taking care of your diabetes.
Related: Can You Eat Dessert If You Have Diabetes?
Spiced Pumpkin Cookies
Raisins and fragrant spices, like cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg, make these pumpkin cookies delicious and cozy while only using a little added sugar. And with a combination of white flour and higher-fiber whole-wheat flour, you can savor each bite while keeping your blood sugar in check. Store these cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
Apple-Cinnamon Fruit Bars
One batch makes 18 servings of these easy apple-cinnamon fruit bars, so you’ll have enough for Thanksgiving Day, plus some to send your guests home with. They get natural sweetness from apples and apple cider, plus a little sugar, and their perfect crumbly topping makes them irresistible. These bars can be made up to 5 days in advance, making them a great weekend baking project.
Light and Luscious Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and honey enhance the flavor of this Thanksgiving classic while providing anti-inflammatory benefits. Rather than butter, this crust is made with a neutral oil to help cut down on saturated fat (a nutrient folks with diabetes need to be aware of). Make this the morning of Thanksgiving and enjoy a slice of this pumpkin pie with a cup of coffee to finish your Thanksgiving feast. Plus, this pie makes for a delicious next-day breakfast—if there’s any left over!
Cranberry Crumble Bars
These flavorful cranberry crumble bars are not only packed with holiday flavors but also make a big batch, so they’re perfect for when you’re hosting Thanksgiving or are asked to bring something. We were mindful of how much sugar was used when developing this recipe, so you’ll find that they’re just sweet enough while still letting the tartness of the cranberries shine through. Refrigerate for up to 1 day or freeze for up to 4 months.
Almond & Pear Rose Tarts
Get ready for all the wows with these two-bite rose tarts. Using fruit in desserts is a great way to get the perfect level of sweetness without lots of added sugar. And with their rich almond flavor, these beautiful tarts won’t last long at your dessert table. Make these tarts up to a day in advance and reheat them slightly before enjoying them.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to your regular batch of chocolate chunk cookies makes them feel extra special and festive. With their oh-so-soft cakelike texture and gooey chocolate, these cookies are an absolute delight! Make these cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Fresh Apple Squares
The secret to the wonderful flavor of these apple squares is adding a little lemon zest to the crumble topping. Plus, the batch of dough does double duty, both serving as the sturdy base and being used to create the crumble topping, which helps to keep the total prep time to just 20 minutes. It’ll be one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make. For a fiber boost, leave the skin on the apples.
Apple-Oatmeal Cookies
These delicious cookies are perfect as a dessert or a sweet snack on the go. Oats are packed with fiber and protein, making them a great ingredient to use in a diabetes-friendly dessert. These two nutrients not only help keep you satisfied for longer but also help stabilize your blood sugar levels. This recipe makes 3 dozen cookies, which means you can enjoy some right out of the oven and store the rest in the freezer until Thanksgiving Day.
Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Loaf Bread
This recipe combines the comforting and sweet flavors of pumpkin with the rich taste of dark chocolate in a perfectly moist loaf. And you can store it for up to 1 day in an airtight container. Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy chocolate. When looking for the best diabetes-friendly chocolate, choose one with a higher percentage of cocoa, which means it’ll naturally be lower in added sugar.
Soft Sugar Cookies
These delicious cookies offer a soft and light texture, plus extra fiber from the inclusion of whole-wheat flour. You can make them 3 days in advance and store them at room temperature in an airtight container.
Gingerbread Tea Cake
This moist cake captures the essence of gingerbread with the festive flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger and ground cloves. Top it with some fresh berries for a sweet-tart touch and bright color. Store this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
Peanut Butter Swirl Chocolate Brownies
This classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter creates a delicious dessert you'll want to make again and again. Peanut butter keeps things fudgy while providing fiber, heart-healthy fats and protein for a diabetes-friendly treat. Make these brownies 2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to savor them.
Diabetes-Friendly Carrot Cake
This utterly delicious cake will make a statement on your Thanksgiving table. Using reduced-fat cream cheese means less saturated fat but the same texture and deliciousness. To make this recipe ahead, wrap the cooled carrot cake layers in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature, then frost the carrot cake up to 2 hours ahead of enjoying.
Read the original article on Eating Well.
