11 recipes to help your new year's resolution to quit refined sugar

Quitting sugar has never tasted so sweet.

Passionfruit cashew cream melting moments Source: Chris Middleton

One of the best parts of holiday feasts are the endless selections of desserts, but as the new year descends upon us, so does the guilt of overindulgence. Don't worry though, we've got your back: here are 11 recipes to keep your new year resolution to quit sugar, and still treat yourself to dessert.

1. Coconut and pandan crème brûlée

Coconut and pandan crème brûlée Source: Chris Middleton

This silky custard is aromatic with pandan, a tropical plant that gives many Asian desserts their distinctive scent and green hue. Rich with both coconut milk, cream and egg yolks, this dessert gets its sweet crunchy topping from torching rice malt syrup to finish.

2. Creamy raspberry and orange tart

Creamy raspberry and orange tart Source: Chris Middleton

The pastry in this light tart is sweetened with just a couple drops of stevia, and filled with a luscious mixture of labneh and mascarpone to compliment the tartness of fresh raspberries. And it's gluten-free! Now excuse us while we stuff our faces.

3. Almond, rosewater and chocolate donut cakes

Almond, rosewater and chocolate donut cakes Source: Chris Middleton

Okay so maybe these aren't doughnuts in the strictest sense of the word, but these little ring-shaped almond cakes with rosewater are sweetened with rice malt syrup and dipped gently in a dark chocolate glaze for that extra treat. Just remember to use a refined sugar-free dark chocolate when making the topping!

4. Baked lemon cheesecake

Baked lemon cheesecake Source: Chris Middleton

Made with ricotta cheese and sweetened with dates, this baked cheesecake is the lighter cousin of the traditional cheesecake. Serve it topped with any fruit you like for a perfect seasonal celebration, all year round.

5. Beetroot chocolate brownies

Beetroot chocolate brownies Source: Chris Middleton

Did you also resolve to eat more veggies in the new year? Us, too! These beetroot chocolate brownies will help you with that - sweetened with grated apple and a touch of stevia, these rich, fudgy brownies satisfy our chocolate craving, and helps us get in our five-a-day!

6. Chocolate shortbread sandwich biscuits with banana cashew cream

Chocolate shortbread sandwich biscuits with banana cashew cream Source: Chris Middleton

Sometimes a whole slice of cake is a bit much, but a cookie...well, a cookie is for every occasion! These crumbly chocolate shortbreads are sweetened with dextrose (a form of glucose), and filled with a rich banana cashew cream. Now, who's got their hand in the cookie jar? Us!

7. Almond, mandarin & orange blossom madeleines

Almond, mandarin & orange blossom madeleines Source: Chris Middleton

These beautiful light French pastries are baked into delicate shell shapes, and perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up! Sweetened with rice malt syrup, these madeleines also have the added bonus of using lima beans, for that added hit of protein and fibre in your treat. Multitasking dessert ftw!

8. Earl grey & fig cruffins

Earl grey & fig cruffins Source: Chris Middleton

Ever heard of a cruffin? It's basically a croissant that's baked in a muffin tin, to give you the best kind of food hybrid baby ever! This luxurious pastry gets all its sweetness from dried fruit, that have been steeped in earl grey tea to infuse it with the light scent of bergamot. Yes, you'll need to make your own puff pastry for this one, but trust us, it's so worth it!

9. Lime cheesecake tart

Lime cheesecake tartC Source: Chris Middleton

This coconut-y cheesecake tart uses rice malt syrup to sweeten and is scented with limes and lemons. Once made, it'll keep for 1-2 days in the fridge, so you can share it with your other friends who have also resolved to quit sugar!

10. Sugar-free hummingbird cake

Hummingbird cake Source: Chris Middleton

With apples, pineapples, banana and passionfruit, you don't need anything else to sweeten this cake! A simple sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes is all you need to finish off this moist cake - the perfect guilt-free treat!

11. Passionfruit cashew cream melting moments

Passionfruit cashew cream melting moments Source: Chris Middleton

Move-aside store-bought melting moments with your bajillions of random ingredients! We got our own - made with spelt flour and sweetened with rice malt syrup, these come filled with a rich passionfruit cashew cream. If you intend to make these last a little longer - you can stick with your resolutions! We support you - keep these unfilled, and in the fridge for up to a week.