From Tart to Barfi: 3 Almond-Based Desserts That Are Both Healthy and Tasty

Craving something sweet and nutritious? Try our selection of easy-to-make almond-based desserts! Delight in the Spiced Almond Tart, a perfect weekend treat packed with nutrients. Or savor the Grilled Almond Burfi, a quick, healthy option rich in healthy fats and protein. For a unique twist, enjoy the Nutty Coconut Barfi, combining almonds and coconut for a deliciously wholesome snack. These recipes by Ritika Samaddar, regional head, dietetics and nutrition, Max Healthcare offer the perfect balance of taste and health, ensuring guilt-free indulgence!

Try this easy-to-make, homemade Spiced Almond Tart recipe this weekend!

Looking for something interesting to make this weekend? Give this Spiced Almond Tart a try. It’s incredibly easy to make, extremely nutritious and delicious too. Almonds are packed with 15 essential nutrients which offer various health benefits, like helping to lower blood sugar levels, controlling cholesterol, managing weight, and more. So, why not skip ordering food from outside and whip up a Spiced Almond Tart at home instead? Look at the recipe below.

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flakes

150g Monaco biscuits

2g cinnamon powder

200g fine sugar

200ml fresh cream

60g unsalted butter

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 180°C. Spread almond flakes on a baking sheet and roast for about 4 minutes until golden. Let them cool.

• To make the toffee sauce, melt fine sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until caramelized. Add 40g of unsalted butter and stir until melted. Gradually add fresh cream, stirring constantly until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.

• Crush Monaco biscuits into fine crumbs and mix with 20g of melted unsalted butter. Press this mixture into a 6-inch tart mould and bake at 160°C for 10 minutes until lightly golden and firm.

• In a bowl, combine roasted almond flakes with the toffee sauce until evenly coated.

• Pour the almond and toffee mixture over the baked biscuit crumble in the tart mould, spreading evenly.

• Bake the tart in the preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes until the filling is set and the edges are golden brown.

• Allow the tart to cool slightly before carefully removing it from the mould.

• Serve the Almond Cinnamon Tart warm, with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful treat.

This weekend, give Spiced Almond Tart recipe a try at home and enjoy a delicious snack!

Finding desserts that are both delicious and nutritious can be tough. However, some options like a Grilled Almond Burfi not only provide the required nutritional benefits they also taste good, helping us cater to our sweet cravings. It’s a quick and healthy choice packed with essential nutrients like healthy fats, protein, and vitamins. This almond-based dessert is guilt-free and easy to make options at home in just 30 minutes. With this recipe, you can enjoy a delightful treat without worrying about cheating on your diet or having an unhealthy dessert.

Ingredients:

• Just three ingredients are required to prepare the Grilled Almond Burfi:

• 500 grams of khoya (pindi)

• 40 grams of sugar-free or any sugar substitute (of your choice)

• 1 cup roasted and crushed almonds

Recipe:

• Start by grating the khoya and set it aside.

• In a pan over low heat, cook the grated khoya with 40 g of sugar substitute for about 3-4 minutes. This helps soften the khoya and blend it well with the sweetener, creating a smooth and creamy base.

• Once the khoya mixture is ready, remove it from the heat and mix in the roasted and crushed almonds thoroughly. The almonds are the star of this dish, providing a rich, nutty flavor and a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the smooth khoya. Ensure the almonds are evenly distributed throughout the mixture to ensure each bite is packed with almond goodness.

• Quickly transfer the mixture into individual serving dishes, ensuring an even distribution of almonds throughout.

• Sprinkle the remaining sugar substitute on top of each serving.

• Place the dishes in a preheated oven at 200°C, using only the top heat setting, to allow the sugar substitute to caramelize. This final step adds a beautiful golden colour and a slight crispness to the top layer, enhancing both its appearance and texture.

• Once done, remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Nutritional profile:

This healthy Grilled Almond Burfi is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a nutritious option.

Below is the nutritional breakdown:

Calories: 2501

Protein: 96.9 g

Total Fat: 155.13 g

Saturated Fat: 55.437 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 45.118 g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 17.63 g

Carbohydrates: 174.12 g

Fiber: 17.9 g

Cholesterol: 333.33 mg

Sodium: 2 mg

Calcium: 385 mg

Magnesium: 386 mg

Potassium: 2215.66 mg

Vitamin E: 36.65 mg

Do give this healthy almond-based dessert a try the next time you crave something sweet!

Craving for something sweet? Try this delicious Nutty Coconut Barfi

On a diet but craving something sweet? Give this this Nutty Coconut Barfi a try, packed with the goodness of almonds—rich in 15 essential nutrients such as protein, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin E and B12, and more this dessert is as delicious as it sounds and is easy to make at home. The best thing about Nutty Coconut Barfi is that it is both nutritious and delicious. So, the next time you’re craving something sweet, make this without worrying about weight gain.

Ingredients (Serves 4-5 people)

• 1 cup freshly grated coconut

• ½ cup ground, blanched almonds

• 1 cup sugar substitute

• 1/3 cup desi ghee

Recipe:

-Heat the ghee in a nonstick pan over low to medium heat. Add the almond and coconut mixture. Stir constantly to make sure it doesn’t burn and is well mixed. When the mixture starts to pull away from the sides of the pan and forms a single mass, add the sugar substitute, and mix well.

-Grease a baking sheet with ghee and set it aside.

-When the mixture in the pan looks opaque and dry, it’s almost ready. Turn the heat down to low and stir for a few more minutes.

-Transfer the mixture to the greased sheet or plate. Use your hands to mix the dough, then spread it out with a greased rolling pin until it’s 1/4 inch thick. Smooth the surface if needed.

-Use a knife to cut the mixture into equal squares after it has partially cooled. Once it has fully cooled, which takes about an hour, use a flat spatula to separate the barfi pieces and store them in an airtight container.

This recipe is perfect for festive events or casual family gatherings. The combination of almonds and coconut creates a unique flavor that everyone will love. Enjoy this delightful treat, filled with pure goodness and love.