4th of July Desserts

My mother in law is a diabetic. I am always on the lookout for desserts that she can have. It just never seemed fair to me to eat sweets in front of her, knowing that she couldn't have them. When I found out that they were coming in for the holidays, I sent out a plea to all of my friends for sugar-free recipes that were good for her, and didn't taste like cardboard! Man, was I surprised at what I received.

We all love cheesecake. Wait until you try this recipe! No one will ever believe that it is sugar free!

Gwen's Sugar Free Cheesecake

Crust:
1/2 cup crushed pecans
3 Tbsp. Butter
3 single serving packets of Splenda

Melt butter, mix pecans and splenda in bottom of glass pie pan. Let set for 20 minutes.

Filling:
2 (8 oz) boxes of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 & 1/2 Tbsp. Vanilla
3 eggs
15 individual packets of splenda

Mix together with mixer until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake at 350* for 20 minutes. Serve with fresh strawberries if desired

Cookies are good for picnics, because they are easy to take to the park or the lake, easy to eat, and relatively little clean up is needed. You don't have to have a plate or a fork. You don't necessarily even have to have a napkin! But what could I make that Mom could eat?

Sugarless Apple Cookies

3/4 cups chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped, peeled golden delicious apples
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup water
2 eggs
1 cup plus 1 Tbsp. Flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 individual packets of Splenda

In large saucepan, combine dates, apples, raisins and water. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Combine dry ingredients and stir into apple mixture. Combine eggs and sweetener and add to batter. Drop by teaspoons onto nonstick baking sheet or use Pam to keep from sticking. Bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen.

But it wouldn't be the 4th of July without ice cream. Never fear! My Aunt Linda is here! She sent me this recipe that she's had for years and promises that you will be begged again and again to bring this to the family reunions from now on!

Sugar Free Peach Ice Cream

1 (16 oz) can no sugar added sliced cling peaches with juice
1 (6oz) can frozen 100% pure orange juice concentrate
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
1 tsp. vanilla
3 packets of Splenda

Place undrained peaches and orange juice in blender. Blend 1 minute to break up, but not puree. Pour into mixing bowl and add whipped cream, vanilla and sweetener. Combine well. Cover tightly and place in freezer for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer and pour into ice cream maker and continue according to your machines specifications. Each serving only contains 80 calories!

And last but not least...how about a wonderfully, cool Jello salad? It's the perfect ending for a perfect meal...and totally sugar free!

Strawberry Surprise!

1 family size sugar free strawberry jello
1 pint of fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced
1 small can, no sugar added, crushed pineapple
1 cup pecans
2 cups sour cream
1 & 1/2 cups boiling water

Mix jello with water, then add strawberries, pineapple and pecans. Pour half of the mixture into a glass bowl and let it chill. Keep remaining mix at room temperature. Spread sour cream over chilled part of jello. Pour remaining mixture over the sour cream, chill and serve.

Hope your 4th of July celebration is a happy and safe one with lots of food, family and fun!