Raw desserts don’t need to be elaborate to make and unlike traditional desserts which can take a long time to bake, raw desserts can often be whipped up in a short period of time.

Plus because you’re not subjecting the ingredients to heat they don’t lose their nutritional value.

The Benefits of Raw Desserts

Desserts made with raw, healthier ingredients such as coconuts, almonds, fruit and nuts can satisfy those cravings with the help of a little maple syrup or honey. The best part? They won’t bomb your diet plans, unlike most traditional treats.

Here’s why you should be opting for raw, unrefined, and natural desserts whenever the opportunity presents itself:

• Raw desserts are high in good fats and they’re made from whole foods, so you can easily steer clear of that “give-me-more” taste of MSG.
• They also contain a lot of calories, but not the empty kind that traditional desserts sport.
• They contain a lot of fiber, which fills you up faster, yet hits the sweet spot every time.
• They provide a lot of nutrients which are beneficial to the body, unlike baked desserts that lose almost all of their nutrient values during the baking process.
• Raw desserts afford us the ability to avoid common allergenic foods, and two of the biggest little devils are dairy and gluten.

Who Benefits From Raw Desserts?

Just about anybody out there can replace their sugar-laden traditional baked desserts with healthy, raw desserts, no matter what their dietary requirements and restrictions.

Sensitive to gluten and diary? No problem, just turn to coconut instead. There are literally a thousand alternatives, which give you plenty of room to experiment to find a healthy dessert that nourishes your body and won’t upset your metabolism.

Ten of the Best No-Bake Dessert Recipes

1. Amazing Avocado Chocolate Mouse

If you thought that avocados were reserved for salads and dips, think again. This recipe is ideal for the chocoholics out there.

As an added bonus, the nutrients your body gets from the Avo and Cacao ensures a healthy mix of good fats and antioxidants are the order of the day. Check out Hemsley and Hemsley for the full recipe.

2. Energy Balls

Whether you choose to classify these as a dessert or a snack is probably dependent on whether you add chocolate chips to them. Personally, we love them without chocolate chips and they serve as a post-workout snack that’s incredibly high in protein.

I recommend individually wrapping them in mini ziplock bags so they’re easy to grab on the go. For the full recipe visit Gimme Some Oven.

3. Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream

Vegans and lactose-intolerant individuals will delight in this simple yet satisfying strawberry ice cream recipe.

The recipe doesn’t call for the use of any dairy products and boasts a powerful combination of vitamin C, natural sweeteners, and fiber. You can find the full recipe and instructions on Jessica In the Kitchen.

4. Nectarine Parfaits with Lemon Cashew Cream

Whipping up a nut-based cream might sound like no easy task, but you’ll be amazed at how simple this dessert is to make.

The fact that the recipe is raw, vegan and paleo friendly yet still tastes like the real deal will have you hooked. Cashew nuts are crammed full of healthy fats, and with the additional of fresh, seasonal fruits, this dessert is pretty much a winner. See the full recipe at Gourmande in the Kitchen.

5. Kickass Key Lime Pie

If you’re craving something rich and decadent, then this key lime pie should sort out your issues.

It’s got just enough natural sweetness and with the slight tang provided by the fresh limes, it’s a winning combo. The creamy filling is complemented by the coconut-date pie crust, and believe us when we say: you’ve got to try this one, it’s sure to become a new family favorite!

Head over to Pickles n Honey to see the full recipe.

6. Cherry Chia Crumble Bars

Sometimes, the only thing that can satisfy a cookie craving is a cookie. But here’s a healthier alternative that brings more than just flour, eggs, and sugar to the table.

They’re healthy and taste like bite-sized candy bars. See the full recipe at Blissful Basil.

7. No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Most of us love peanut butter, and if you’re part of the club, then these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are going to go down real smooth! The bars are made up of just five ingredients. To see the full recipe, visit Sally’s Baking Addiction.

8. Awesome Apple & Cinnamon Chia Pudding

Chia seeds have been growing in popularity for quite some while now, and if you’ve never tried whipping up a no-bake dessert with them, now is definitely the time.

This pudding is super easy to make and it’s gluten-free. It does require milk for the thickening process, so if you’re lactose-intolerant, steer clear. See the full recipe at Hello Glow.

9. Raw Fudge Chocolate Orange Brownies

Who doesn’t love fudgy brownies? The problem is just that most brownie recipes call for baking, which as we all know causes food to lose nutrients.

Not so much with this recipe. The no-bake chocolate brownies are made using nuts and dates, some raw cacao and fresh orange. The best part is that they take just half-an-hour to whip up.

Ready to satisfy that craving? Read the full recipe at Lean Living Girl.

10.  Raw Chocolate & Banana Cream Cake

Fancy-looking desserts are always a pleasure to dig into, but the real catch behind this cake is the fact that it doesn’t require any baking and is relatively easy to make.

Check out this Rawsome Vegan Life for all the details.

We’ve shown you 10 super easy, no-bake dessert recipes. All you have to do now is decide on which one you’re going to try out first!

What’s your favorite dessert? Tell us in the comments below!

Here are a couple more delicious raw recipes to try at home – Strawberry & Banana Ice Cream and No Bake Banana Walnut Bread!