Reduced Sugar Mint Chocolate Truffles

A few weeks ago, we had a food tasting night in my Slimming World group and one of the ladies brought these truffles in for us to try. I was a bit sceptical about them because they were made with Quark, but I found, when trying them, that they were delicious and it felt really decadent to be allowing myself such a smooth and creamy mint chocolate truffle.

I have altered the recipe slightly, because I detected a very faint bitterness to the truffles when trying them, so I decided to add sweetener. The version brought for us to try was mint chocolate, but these could just as easily be made in any flavor, from simple chocolate to toffee chocolate or orange chocolate, depending on which flavor of Options sachet is used.

At the moment, I don't have a photo to add here. I would need to make them again to take a photo, and I am afraid the risk I run when I make these is that I would eat the whole batch! The next time I make these, I will add a photo to this post.

These are very easy to make and don't require any actual cooking other than a minute's use of the microwave, so even kids can make these! (I will be adding this recipe to Kids Creating Cakes: Cooking for Kids because it is something my kids will happily be making.)

Makes 20

Ingredients

50g Dark Chocolate
113g Quark
6 tbsp sweetener
2 sachets of mint chocolate Options (or mint chocolate Skinny Cow)
1 tsp Cocoa to dust (1/2 syn per tsp)

Directions

1. Melt chocolate in microwave for 1 minute

2. Beat Quark with sweetener until creamy. Add melted chocolate and mix well.

3. Add the Options sachets and mix well.

4. Make into 20 blobs using a teaspoon and put on greaseproof paper or wax paper.

5. Put into the fridge to harden for about two hours.

6. Remove from the fridge and shape into balls.

7. Roll in cocoa powder and set in the fridge overnight.

8. Serve and enjoy!

2 ½ syns for 2 on all plans









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Light Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins & Light Pumpkin Raisin Muffins

Light Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins





Ingredients

1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup sweetener
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (or pumpkin puree)
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 160C. Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.

2. Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices.

3. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes.


Light Pumpkin Raisin Muffins





Ingredients

1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup sweetener
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (or pumpkin puree)
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 160C. Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.

2. Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices.

3. Add wet mixture and stir in raisins. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes.


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Low Carb Banana Blueberry Muffins

Makes 12 cupcakes

Ingredients
5 Scan Brans (1/2 pack)
1/2 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp ground cinnamon
8 tbsp sweetener
3 eggs
150ml hot water
1 banana (the browner the better)
1 package of blueberries

1. Grind Scan Bran into a powder.

2. Heat blueberries on high for 30 seconds in the microwave. Add 1/3 of the blueberries into bowl with the other ingredients.

3. Mix ingredients together with a mixer. Then fold in the rest of the blueberries using a spoon.

4. Separate the mixture between 12 silicone cupcake "papers" or a microwave-safe cupcake "pan."

5. Cook in the microwave for 6 minutes.

2.5 syns for all 12 muffins or b option
plus extra syns for the banana and blueberries because they've been mashed and cooked

Coffee Mousse

Serves 4.

Ingredients
1 sachet gelatine
3 level tsp instant coffee granules
4 level tsp light brown sugar
227g/8oz very low fat natural fromage frais
½ tsp vanilla extract
10 tbsp artificial sweetener
2 egg whites

1. Sprinkle the gelatine into a bowl containing 6 tablespoons of very hot water. Stir well until dissolved, and then cool for ten minutes.

2. Meanwhile, dissolve the coffee and sugar in 3 tablespoons of hot water, then mix in the fromage frais and vanilla extract. Add sweetener, and mix in the gelatine.

3. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold into the coffee mixture using a metal spoon. Spoon into 4 individual bowls and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

1 syn per serving

Chocolate Nest Buns

Serves 6.

Cream Filling
125g/4 1/2 oz quark
6 level tbsps artificial sweetener
1 sachet Options White Chocolate drink powder
2 drops vanilla essence

Buns
4 medium eggs
8 level tbsp artificial sweetener
2 level tbsp cocoa
2 sachets Skinny Cow Chocolate drink powder

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. To make the cream filling, whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl and chill in the refrigerator until required.

2. To make the buns, whisk the eggs and sweetener together until thick and creamy. Sieve in the cocoa and the Skinny Cow Chocolate powder and fold into the mixture using a metal spoon. Divide the mixture between 12 bun cake cases and bake on the top shelf of the oven until firm.

3. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once cool, remove from the paper cases and sandwich two buns together with the cream filling.

2 syns per double bun

or optionally, make bite -sized ones at less than one syn each

Mississippi Mud Pie

Mississippi Mud Pie







Ready in 30 minutes plus chilling

Serves 10

Ingredients:
12 ginger nut biscuits/ginger snap cookies
56g/2 oz low fat margarine
4 eggs*
568ml/1pt skimmed milk
57g/2 oz cocoa
2 level tbsp cornflour
6 level tbsp caster sugar
2 x 11g sachets gelatine
2 tsp vanilla extract
fresh berries, to garnish
icing sugar/powdered sugar, to dust

1. Put the biscuits/cookies in a food processor and blend to form crumbs. Melt the margarine, add the biscuit/cookie crumbs and mix. Spoon into an 18cm/7 inch lined cake tin, press down and chill.
2. Separate the eggs and beat the yolks. Place most of the milk in a pan, whisk in the egg yolks and heat gently for 3-4 minutes until warm. Whisk the remaining milk with the cocoa powder and cornflour and add to the hot milk along with the sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously, until thick and smooth. Remove from the heat.
3. Dissolve the gelatine in 6 tablespoons of hot water, add to the milk with the vanilla extract, mix well and set aside to cool.
4. Using an electric whisk, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold into the cooled milk mixture with a metal spoon. Pour over the base and leave to set overnight in the fridge.
5. Serve cut into wedges, garnished with berries and dusted with icing/powdered sugar.

*Pregnant women, the elderly and babies should not eat raw eggs.

Slimming World Information:
6 ½ syns per serving on Green, Original & Extra Easy

Nutrition Facts

10 Servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 193.9
Total Fat 3.8 g
Saturated Fat 1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.4 g
Cholesterol 19.7 mg
Sodium 624.0 mg
Potassium 125.4 mg
Total Carbohydrate 33.7 g
Dietary Fiber 2.4 g
Sugars 26.8 g
Protein 4.5 g

No Bake Mini Orange Chocolate Cream Desserts

I made these desserts four different ways, by layering them differently or adding the cocoa powder to different parts of it. All versions wee enjoyed. My friend liked it best with the cocoa powder mixed in with the whipped topping, but enjoyed it both ways. My family all enjoyed both versions too, but liked it best with the cocoa powder mixed in with the Jell-o and Quark mixture.
My husband and I both agreed that having the biscuit on the bottom of the dessert made it have a nicer texture, but it was tasty no matter which way we layered it.






Serves 8.

Ingredients:
packet of Hartley's Sugar-free Orange Jelly (or Sugar-free Orange Jell-O)
250g tub of Quark (normally found in the cheese isle)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
packet No Added Sugar Dream Whip
1/4 pint skim milk
8 heaping teaspoons Splenda (or other sweetener)
8 McVitties Light Rich Tea biscuits/cookies
water

1. Put one biscuit/cookie into a mortar and pestle and grind until a grainy powder.
2. Pour powdered biscuit in bottom of dessert bowl or cup and spread across it. Do step 1 & 2 for each dessert bowl.
3. Do the first step on the Jell-o instructions. (Mix 1/2 pint of boiling water in a bowl with the Jell-o powder and allow to cool.) I usually put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.)
4. Add the Quark, the cocoa powder and 5 tsp. Splenda and use mixer to blend it completely.
5. Pour mixture evenly between the eight individual serving cups or dessert bowls, over the biscuit/cookie powder.
6. Refrigerate until set.
7. Mix packet of Sugar-free Dream Whip with 1/4 pint of skim milk. Add three teaspoons of Splenda or other sweetener. Whip 2 minutes with mixer until it results in a thick creamy texture.
8. Spoon onto top of desserts and spread to the edges.

Eat right away or refridgerate for later.

Alternately:







1. Do the first step on the Jell-o instructions. (Mix 1/2 pint of boiling water with the Jell-o powder and allow to cool.) I usually put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.)
2. Add the Quark, the cocoa powder and 5 tsp. Splenda and use mixer to blend it completely.
3. Pour mixture into eight individual serving cups or dessert bowls.
4. Refrigerate until set.
5. Put one biscuit/cookie into a mortar and pestle and grind until a grainy powder.
6. Pour powdered biscuit on top of dessert mixture and spread across it. Do step 5 and 6 for each dessert bowl.
7. Mix packet of Sugar-free Dream Whip with 1/4 pint of skim milk. Add three teaspoons of Splenda or other sweetener. Whip 2 minutes with mixer until it results in a thick creamy texture.
8. Spoon onto top of desserts and spread to the edges.

Eat right away or refridgerate for later.

Alternately:




Ingredients:
packet of Hartley's Sugar-free Orange Jelly (or Sugar-free Orange Jell-O)
250g tub of Quark (normally found in the cheese isle)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
packet No Added Sugar Dream Whip
1/4 pint skim milk
5 heaping teaspoons Splenda (or other sweetener)
8 McVitties Light Rich Tea biscuits/cookies
water

1. Do the first step on the Jell-o instructions. (Mix 1/2 pint of boiling water with the Jell-o powder and allow to cool.) I usually put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.)
2. Add the Quark Splenda and use mixer to blend it completely.
3. Pour mixture into eight individual serving cups or dessert bowls.
4. Refrigerate until set.
5. Put one biscuit/cookie into a mortar and pestle and grind until a grainy powder.
6. Pour powdered biscuit on top of dessert mixture and spread across it. Do step 5 and 6 for each dessert bowl.
7. Mix packet of Sugar-free Dream Whip with 1/4 pint of skim milk. Add cocoa powder and 5 teaspoons of Splenda or other sweetener. Whip 2 minutes with mixer until it results in a thick creamy texture.
8. Spoon onto top of desserts and spread to the edges.

Eat right away or refridgerate for later.

Alternately:

1. Put one biscuit/cookie into a mortar and pestle and grind until a grainy powder.
2. Pour powdered biscuit in bottom of dessert bowl or cup and spread across it. Do step 1 and 2 for each dessert bowl.
3. Do the first step on the Jell-o instructions. (Mix 1/2 pint of boiling water with the Jell-o powder and allow to cool.) I usually put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.)
4. Add the Quark Splenda and use mixer to blend it completely.
5. Pour mixture evenly between the eight individual serving cups or dessert bowls.
6. Refrigerate until set.
7. Mix packet of Sugar-free Dream Whip with 1/4 pint of skim milk. Add cocoa powder and 5 teaspoons of Splenda or other sweetener. Whip 2 minutes with mixer until it results in a thick creamy texture.
8. Spoon onto top of desserts and spread to the edges.

Eat right away or refridgerate for later.

Total Nutrition Information per serving
94.5 calories
6.1g protein
10.8g carbohydrate
5.6g sugars
4g fat
3.1g saturates
.2g fiber
0 sodium

Slimming World Information:
3 1/2 syns on green, original & extra easy

No-Bake Mini Lemon, Lime & Ginger Cheesecakes

Ingredients:
packet of Hartley's Sugar-free Lemon & Lime Jelly (or Sugar-free Lemon & Lime Jell-O)
250g tub of Quark (normally found in the cheese isle)
1 to 2 tablespoons ground ginger
packet No Added Sugar Dream Whip
1/4 pint skim milk
3 teaspoons Splenda (or other sweetener)
8 Ginger Nut cookies (similar to ginger snap cookies in the US, but slightly thicker)
water

1. Do the first step on the Jell-o instructions. (Mix 1/2 pint of boiling water with the Jell-o powder and allow to cool.) I usually put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.)
2. Add the Quark and the ginger and use mixer to blend it completely.
3. Pour mixture into eight individual serving cups or dessert bowls.
4. Refrigerate until set.
5. Put one Ginger Nut biscuit into a mortar and pestle and grind until a grainy powder.
6. Pour powdered biscuit on top of dessert mixture and spread across it. Do step 5 and 6 for each dessert bowl.
7. Mix packet of Sugar-free Dream Whip with 1/4 pint of skim milk. Add three teaspoons of Splenda or other sweetener. Whip 2 minutes with mixer until it results in a thick creamy texture.
8. Spoon onto top of desserts and spread to the edges.

Eat right away or refridgerate for later.

Serves 8.

Total Nutrition Information per serving
103.5 calories
6.1g protein
10.8g carbohydrate
5.6g sugars
4g fat
3.1g saturates
.2g fiber
0 sodium

Slimming World Information:
3 1/2 syns on green, original & extra easy

Reduced Sugar Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients
2 oz peanut butter
2 oz light margarine
3 1/2 oz Splenda
1 beaten egg
4 oz self-raising flower

Cream peanut butter, light margarine and Splenda together. Beat in the egg. Stir in the flour and knead well. Place small balls well apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes at 200C/395F.