At Great Care we know that the summers can be hot for our seniors. So there’s no easier way to cool down after a picnic or BBQ than with a healthy, no-bake dessert on the menu.

From lemon bars to chocolate-and-peanut butter treats, no-bake desserts are as popular with the kids as the adults, and can more than cut prep time in half for more time spent with friends and family.

Meaning one thing — dessert, fast!

This recipe for no-bake lemon bars, shared by Laura of Chicago on recipe4living.com, is super-easy — only 7 ingredients needed — and features the sweet and tangy flavors of lemon zest, powdered sugar and sweetened condensed milk.

No-Bake Lemon Bars

Ingredients:
2 1/2 packets graham crackers
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Lemon zest
Juice from 2 1/2 lemons
1 1/2 C. powdered sugar
3 Tbs. butter
3 Tbs. milk

Instructions:
Take graham crackers and layer a 9×13-baking sheet. In a bowl add lemon juice, zest, condensed milk, and mix. Layer over graham crackers. Combine butter, milk, and powdered sugar and layer on top of lemon mixture. Place in the fridge over night. Sprinkle more powdered sugar on top and enjoy.

Whether they’re best enjoyed dipped in yogurt or part of a delicious dessert, strawberries are a favorite summertime staple low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. The brightly colored berry is a also a great source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, potassium, folate, and manganese. This no-bake strawberry pie recipe courtesy of Wisconsin Berry Growers, which also happens to be the 2011 Wisconsin State Fair winner, is perfect for fruity summer fare.

No-Bake Strawberry Pie

Ingredients:
1 – 9″ pie crust pre-baked

Filling:
2 lbs frozen stawberries
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp water
2 packets unflavored gelatin
1 Cup (7 oz) sugar
Pinch salt
1 lb fresh strawberries hulled and sliced thin
2 Tbsp Sure-Jell for low-sugar recipes

Topping:
4 ounces cream cheese softened
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream, chilled

Instructions:
For the Filling: Cook frozen berries in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until berries begin to release juice, about 3 minutes. Add the Sure-Jell and increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until thich and jam like, about 25 minutes (mixture should measure 2 cups, cook until there is only 2 cups of berries).

Combine lemon juice, water, and gelatin in small bowl. Let stand until gelatin is softened and mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir gelatin mixture, sugar, and salt into cooked berry mixture and return to simmer, about 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Fold fresh berries into filling. Spread evenly in pie shell and refridgerate until set, about 4 hours.

For the Topping: With electric hand held mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth, aout 30 seconds. With mixer running, add cream and whip until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Serve pie with topping on top or on the side.

Serves 6 to 8

Photo by Peter Papoulakos, www.diabetes.org

Just like summer goes together with strawberries, so does peanut butter with chocolate. This sweet, healthy snack for your summer road trip from the American Diabetes Association is a simple treat that’s much healthier than any sugary processed snack.

No-Bake Peanut Butter & Chocolate Bites

Ingredients:
1/3 cup Domino® Light Sugar and Stevia Blend
1/3 cup skim milk
½ cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups rolled oats
3 tablespoons mini-chocolate chips

Instructions:
In a small saucepan, combine Domino® Light and milk over medium heat. Stir well and bring to a boil for 1½ minutes. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients; stir to incorporate.
Scoop oat mixture into1 tablespoon balls and place on waxed paper. Let cool and refrigerate.

Make it gluten-free: If you need this recipe to be gluten-free, make sure to use gluten-free rolled oats and confirm all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/mfa-recipes/recipes/2013-07-no-bake-peanut-butter.html#sthash.7MgzIEiZ.dpuf

Happy (no) baking!

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs, including respite care. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (888) 240-9101 for more information.