Decadent Beet Brownies — and 6 More Sneakily Better-For-You Desserts

Boost the vitamin count

Grated beets a great source of folate, and they also amp up the flavour in brownies. Get this chocolate-beet brownies recipe.

Add legumes

The black beans go unnoticed in chocolate cake, and provide a rich, fudgy texture. Half a cup provides 8 g of protein and 9 g of fibre. Get this black bean chocolate cake recipe.

Sneak in extra protein

Silken tofu’s creamy texture works nicely in chocolate mousse, with a bonus boost of protein. This complete protein absorbs flavour and is low in fat. Get chi mocha chocolate mousse recipe.

Add more fruit

Replace some of the butter or oil in cakes and muffins with applesauce or puréed peaches. Unsweetened applesauce is fat-free, low in calories and a good source of vitamin C. Get the recipe for our applesauce cake.

Throw in a little extra texture and fibre

Calcium-rich chia seeds expand in liquid, creating the perfect texture for puddings. It’s a great source of fibre (10 g in 2 tbsp) and omega-3 fatty acids. Get this chia and coconut pudding recipe.

Add a naturally sweet ingredient

The caramel-like flavour and soft chewiness make a naturally sweet base for truffles. Bonus: Three medjool dates contain nearly 5 g of fibre. Get this chocolate-date truffles recipe.

Add nuts and seeds

Add heart-healthy walnuts, fibre-rich flax and crunch pepitas to the traditional oats and brown sugar topping. Get this apple-blueberry superfood crumble recipe.

Watch: How to make chia and coconut pudding