Proving you can have a sweet tooth and still indulge in the occasional sweet treat, these body-conscious brands in Singapore are all about giving diners the best of both worlds. You may be wary of “healthy desserts”, but we’re here to tell you that’s not an oxymoron. Using recipes that are low in processed sugar, with vegan/raw alternatives and organic ingredients, here are a couple of cafes around the island that can satisfy your cravings without the guilt trip afterwards.
P.S. While relatively healthier, these desserts are still, well, desserts. So moderation is key.
Afterglow
Touting a vegan lifestyle that’s modern and “rawesome”, the Keong Saik eatery is known for its plant-based dishes like raw “pizza” and “lasagne”, as well as burgers with patties made of black beans and flax seeds. So it’s not surprising that the dessert menu follows suit with lighter options like the acai bowl of raw muesli, bananas, and coconut crackers, or raw chocolates that are free of gluten, dairy, and sugar.
If you’re after something richer, try the raw “cheese” cake made of cashew cream fudge on a cashew crust with dates. The flavors change depending on seasonal ingredients, but what’s consistent is a remarkable likeness in texture to actual cheesecakes.
24 Keong Saik Rd. Mon-Sat noon-10:30pm.
All The Batter
If you’re in-the-know about All the Batter, you’re probably an avo-freak, because this avocado-themed cafe includes the yellow-green flesh in pretty much everything on the menu. Think avocado cakes flavored with gula melaka, chocolate, matcha, strawberry, and lemon, made with avocado butter. And let’s not forget the avo milkshakes and savory dishes with the green stuff all mashed up on toast. The store also offers vegan, egg-free, gluten-free, and non-dairy options, as well as diabetic-friendly (low GI sugar) versions of its popular treats.
Two outlets, including #B1-46 Anchorpoint Shopping Centre, 370 Alexandra Rd. Fri-Wed 11:30am-9:30pm.
Brownice
With each scoop of ice cream purportedly containing just 80 to 140 calories (compared to over 300 calories elsewhere), you’re probably wondering what goes into the mix at Brownice. Apparently, it’s a recipe that includes organic brown rice milk and fresh fruits or nuts, with no dairy, eggs, milk, or artificial flavorings in the line-up of Earl Grey, choc fudge, gula melaka, and hazelnut.
#01-03 Sin Ming Centre, 8 Sin Ming Rd. Sun-Thurs noon-10pm, Fri-Sat noon-10:30pm.
Delcie’s Desserts and Cakes
Since 2008, Delcie’s has been bringing cakes baked without eggs, dairy products, or non-natural ingredients to its health-conscious customers, offering a range of diabetic-friendly, vegan, sugar-free, wheat-free, and gluten-free creations in flavors like hazelnut chocolate, mixed berries, banana hot fudge, and tiramisu. Plus, you’ll find the nutritional breakdown of each dessert on its site, which is rather handy when you’re undecided between your favorite treat and an alternative with half the amount of calories.
#01-83, Blk 34 Whampoa West. Tue-Sun 11am-8pm.
Haakon Superfoods and Juice
If you don’t think acai bowls count as desserts, look away now. At Haakon, which encourages living the hygge life coupled with a diet of superfoods, the menu goes heavy on high-protein, low-carb grub like salads and lean bowls. On the acai side, the classic option is a mix of chia seed parfait and fruits, while the nut butter bowl comes with almond butter, cacao nibs, and bananas. If you’re looking for an alternative to a chocolate bar, try the cacao “bliss” item of granola, chia seed parfait, cacao nibs, almond flakes, and fruits.
Four outlets, including #B2-14, 313 @ Somerset, 313 Orchard Rd. Daily 10am-9:30pm.
Kitchen by Food Rebel
A staunch believer in “real food” that’s not processed, with no hidden sugars or preservatives, Kitchen by Food Rebel is a haven for vegans, vegetarians, and clean eating buffs in the CBD. Everything here, from the dressings to the spreads, is made from scratch using organic and locally sourced ingredients, so you can eat good and feel good after. Its dessert selection continues on the gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free wagon with creations such as avocado lime cake, chocolate brownies, and fruit tarts.
28 Stanley St. Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm.
The Living Cafe
Striving for organic as much as possible, this Bukit Timah cafe stays away from red meats, white sugar, cow dairy, artificial colorings, and preservatives. Open since 2011, it serves dishes like zucchini noodles, brown rice bowls, and wholemeal pizzas on the main menu, padded by a raw dessert selection of cheesecakes, chocolate tarts, tiramisu slices, brownies, and waffles with coconut yogurt.
779 Bukit Timah Rd. Mon-Thurs 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 9am-8pm.
