Tasty and sensible summer dessert recipes

Summary

A big holiday weekend is right around the corner. Maybe you're still looking for that special dessert to feed the crowd. The experts at Good Housekeeping have some fresh, tasty and healthful ideas.

Story Published: Jul 2, 2009 at 3:20 PM PST

Story Updated: Jul 2, 2009 at 5:35 PM PST

Tasty and sensible summer dessert recipes
A big holiday weekend is right around the corner. Maybe you're still looking for that special dessert to feed the crowd.

The experts at Good Housekeeping have some fresh, tasty and healthful ideas.

Don't make the mistake of thinking a single serving of fruit is your only sensible dessert. There are desserts that look decadent, but won't weigh you down.

"These deserts all feature fruits so its a really easy way to incorporate those five-a-day servings of fruit into the diet." said food director Susan Westmoreland.

Why not try a berry granita? Fill a metal banking pan with pureed raspberries, strawberries and sugar syrup. Freeze the mixture, then dole it out into pre-chilled dishes.

Or how about the scandalous lemon-blush napoleon? It can replace bakery-bought napoleons with baked wonton wrappers. Slather the layers with a mixture of plain yogurt and jarred lemon curd, and top with berries.

You can also make a fruit focaccia with store-bought dough. Roll it out, cook it and add heaps of berries. That's a sensible choice.

"This dessert is great for picnics because it travels really well and you can eat it with your hands," Westmoreland said.

And get this -- blackberries have the most antioxidants per serving, according to analysis of more than 1,000 common foods eaten in the U.S.

Promising new research suggests that blueberries may help keep high blood pressure in check.

Neither of these are super-foods; all fruit is good for you. But if you have a choice, choose blackberries and blueberries.