23 Incredible Tea-Based Desserts
But if you want to shred fat, without necessarily ingesting mysterious substances (or shredding your wallet at the same time), we have a more natural answer: tea. Green, black, white, red, even herbal teas all have specific weight-loss properties, according to recent studies. Some help increase your metabolic rate, others block the storage of fat, and still others reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol—which also happens to play an instrumental role in sticking last night's dessert onto this morning's belly. In fact, one study found that those who drank a green-tea rich diet for just 12 weeks had significantly smaller waistlines than a control group who got no tea. And those who drink five or more cups of tea per day are 26 percent less likely to die of any cause compared to those who average less than one cup, according to the American Medical Association.
But that's a lot of tea to drink, no matter how much you might love Downton Abby. Fortunately, there are other ways to get the belly-shrinking, stress-reducing, life-extending benefits of tea: just eat it!
The editors of Eat This, Not That! reached out to their contacts across the foodie landscape and gathered some of the most delicious tea-based dessert recipes in the land. Now, while you're indulging your taste buds, you can be burning off flab at the same time. For even more tricks, check out 23 Amazing Ways to Melt Fat With Tea!
BANANA CUPCAKES WITH BLACK TEA CHERRY FROSTING
Serves: 15
Nutrition: 294 calories, 5.4 g fat (3 g saturated), 87 mg sodium, 60.7 g carbs, 1.5 g fiber, 42.9 g sugars, 2.3 g protein (calculated with organic coconut sugar)
Next time you whip up a batch of cupcakes, add a few black tea bags. Researchers have found that drinking black tea every day improves cardiovascular function and causes the body to secrete five times more interferon, a group of proteins that protects your body from foreign invaders. Side note: Milk and cream counteract these benefits. Luckily these Banana Cupcakes are free of both and under 300 calories per cupcake!
Get the recipe from With Food and Love.
DARK CHOCOLATE EARL GREY TRUFFLES
Serves: 30
Nutrition: 92 calories, 6.7 g fat (5 g saturated), 26 mg sodium, 7.4 g carbs, <2 g fiber, 6.2 g sugar, 1.1 g protein
Earl grey tea hosts a laundry list of health benefits including fighting anxiety and depression, improving digestion and oral health, as well as boosting energy and hydration. Combine this supertea with the powerful antioxidant, slimming and stress-combating dark chocolate and you're looking at one of the best health food duos.
Get the recipe from Wicked Spatula.
MATCHA CAKE WITH VANILLA HONEY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Serves: 20 slices
Nutrition: 263 calories, 10 g fat (3 g saturated), 188 mg sodium, 39.9 g carbs, <1 g fiber, 27.4 g sugar, 3.7 g protein
Matcha is undeniably the best tea for weight loss because it contains up to 137 times more of EGCG than other store-bought tea bags. What's EGCG? A metabolism boosting nutrient shown to simultaneously enhance the breakdown of fat and block the formation of fat cells.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND BUTTER CUPS
Serves: 20
Nutrition: 119 calories, 8.3 g fat (3.3 g saturated), 17 mg sodium, 9.7 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 8.4 g sugar, 2.1 g protein
Peanut butter cup lovers rejoice! There is a version out there that can actually shrink your waist instead of expanding it and we've found it. You already know what a weight loss superfood matcha is, but did you know almond butter is rich in manganese, a nutrient that plays a role in healthy metabolism? And a study of 30 men in the journal Pharmacology found that those who consumed 2 tablespoons of coconut oil a day shrank their waists by an average of 1.1 inches in one month.
Get the recipe from Love and Lemons.
WHITE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TEA ALMOND BARK
Serves: 15
Nutrition: 184 calories, 10.6 g fat (5.9 g saturated), 27 mg sodium, 20.9 g carbs, 0.5 g fiber, 20.3 g sugar, 2.2 g protein
Whether Christmas, Halloween, Easter or, as this recipe was meant for, Valentine's Day, bark is the perfect gift. It's inexpensive, easy, eye-pleasing and endlessly adaptable. What's more, this particular recipe calls for nature's magical weight loss pill–raspberries.
Get the recipe from Sift and Whisk.
BROWN SUGAR JASMINE TEA CARAMELS
Serves: 30
Nutrition: 58 calories, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 23 mg sodium, 9 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 6.3 g sugar, < 0.5 g protein
Not that you need a reason to pop one of these bite-size babies into your mouth, but we have a few. For starters, jasmine tea has a green tea base, but it also contains both black and white tea. This means you get the metabolism boosting, cardiovascular function enhancing, infection protecting and fat blocking benefits! Plus, they contain no artificial flavors or coloring, unlike many store-bought brands and they're only 58 calories each. For more teas that boost your health and help you slim down, check out these 21 Best Teas For Weight Loss.
Get the recipe from The Kitchen Paper.
EARL GREY ICE CREAM WITH BLACKBERRY SWIRL
Serves: 8
Nutrition: 166 calories, 8.9 g fat (5.5 g saturated), 86 mg sodium, 19.1 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 16.4 g sugar, 3 g protein (calculated with reduced fat cream cheese)
Homemade ice cream is no small feat, but with the amount of sketchy ingredients and trans fat lingering in the freezer aisle, it's worth all the effort. This wholesome ice cream contains the powerful antidepressant, anti-bloating, energy surging Earl Grey Tea, along with protein-rich dairy and a blackberry jam, made from the powerful antioxidant berries.
Get the recipe from The Naked Beet.
BLACK TEA APPLE PIE
Serves: 12
Nutrition: 290 calories, 11 g fat (2.7 g saturated), 216 mg sodium, 47.7 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 27.5 g sugar, 3 g protein
Apple-infused tea pie may help you breeze through that upcoming 5K. No bluffing here. Black tea and apples make quite the cardiovascular performance enhancing duo. In fact, the fruit contains an antioxidant called quercetin, which is associated with exercise endurance. According to Sarah-Jane Bedwell, RD, LDN, a Nashville-based nutritionist and author of Schedule Me Skinny: Plan to Lose Weight and Keep it Off in Just 30 Minutes a Week, "Quercetin can help to create new mitochondria in the body's cells and increase one's oxidative capacity, which signifies the maximum amount of oxygen your muscles can use."
Get the recipe from Sift and Whisk.
CHAI SHORTBREAD COOKIES WITH SEA SALT
Serves: 16
Nutrition: 201 calories, 9.9 g fat (6.4 g saturated), 98 mg sodium, 24.2 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 5.9 g sugar, 3.4 g protein (calculated with whole wheat flour, stevia baking blend and 1 stick of unsalted butter)
Salty and sweet, and just in time for the holidays, these Chai Shortbread Cookies are the perfect seasonal dessert. Looking to skinny them up a bit? Opt for whole wheat flour, stevia sugar and cut back a bit on the butter. Why the brown flour? Whole wheat products contain three parts of the grain, all nutrient rich and fiber-filling. Plus, these cookies are dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt so you won't even miss extra fat and nutrient void calories.
Get the recipe from Foodie Crush.
GREEN TEA ICE CREAM
Serves: 8
Nutrition: 160 calories, 3.4 g fat (1.2 g saturated), 70 mg sodium, 25.3 g carbs, <1 g fiber, 24 g sugar, 9 g protein (calculated with skim milk and greek yogurt in place of cream)
Reap all the flat-belly green tea and Greek yogurt benefits with a cup of this Green Tea Ice Cream. Low in calories and fat, and dishing up 9 grams of satiating protein, this is one frozen treat you don't have to feel guilty about!
Get the recipe from Annie's Eats.
GREEN TEA WHITE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
Serves: 16
Nutrition: 250 calories, 16.8 g fat (10 g saturated), 24.5 g carbs, <1 g fiber, 20.5 g sugar, 2.1 g protein (calculated with organic coconut sugar)
This Saint Patrick's Day inspired treat could also take a Christmas spin, thanks to matcha's powerful green color. These brownies are basically just matcha and white chocolate (almost fudge if it wasn't for the flour). They might be nutritionally dense, but they've also got some powerful metabolism boosting power so you can guiltlessly enjoy one.
Get the recipe from Glazed and Confused.
CHAI TEA LATTE POPSICLES
Serves: 10
Nutrition: 66 calories, 5.9 g (3.5 g saturated), 24 mg sodium, 3.1 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 2.4 g sugar, 0.5 g protein (calculated with unsweetened almond milk and light whipping cream)
Get your latte, caffeine and sugar fix on with these Chai Tea Popsicles. Looking to cut back on fat? Swap in unsweetened almond milk and light whipping cream. Either way, this is one low cal, low sugar treat.
Get the recipe from Sprinkled With Jules.
CHAI SPICED CHOCOLATE S'MORES
Serves: 8
Nutrition: 361 calories, 9.3 g fat (5.9 g saturated), 163 mg sodium, 64.4 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 32 g sugar, 6 g protein (calculated with dark chocolate and light cream)
Talk about a curve ball, but yes, you can add chai tea leaves to your s'mores. The best part: If you choose the right square, chocolate can help reduce stress and shrink your waist! You've probably heard that occasionally indulging in your cravings can help to control them, but did you know that chocolate contains flavanols, which have been linked to lowered blood sugar and decreased body fat according to the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry?
Get the recipe from Messy Kitchen Stories.
MATCHA GREEN TEA DONUTS
Serves: 12 donuts
Nutrition: 212 calories, 12.7 g fat (1.8 g saturated), 166 mg sodium, 23.1 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 13.2 g sugars, 2.1 g protein (calculated with whole wheat flour)
Diet and donuts are two D's that don't normally go together, and while we aren't giving you a free pass to down a dozen, you can enjoy one of these for just 200 calories. Not to mention this wholesome recipe contains calorie-sizzling matcha and full-fat dairy, which has been linked to the lowest incidence of diabetes, according to a 2015 study of 26,930 people in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Get the recipe from A Beautiful Mess.
FRENCH EARL GREY POACHED PEARS
Serves: 20
Nutrition: 104 calories, < .5 g fat (0 g saturated), 3 mg sodium, 27.5 g carbs, 4.3 g fiber, 19.8 g sugars, .5 g protein
Pears are one of the most satiating fruits for weight loss. According to Jennifer Glockner, RDN, and author of the Smartee Plate series, pears contain hunger-fighting pectin, a soluble fiber that attracts water and turns to gel, slowing digestion. At just 104 calories, this recipe is sweet enough to kick sugar cravings without added calories and fat. Enjoy these Earl Grey Poached Pears on their own, with Greek yogurt or dip them in dark chocolate for a slightly indulgent, low-cal treat.
Get the recipe from Citrus and Candy.
HEALTHY MATCHA GREEN TEA FUDGE PROTEIN BARS
Serves: 10
Nutrition: 130 calories, 5 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 9 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 15 g protein
Ditch the processed, calorie-laden protein bars and try these vegan ones instead. Not only do they contain plant-based protein that won't cause uncomfortable bloating like whey, but they also contain the best green tea for weight loss, matcha. With just 130 calories, 9 grams of carb and 15 satiating grams of protein, they'll fill you up without filling you out.
Get the recipe from Desserts With Benefits.
BLUEBERRY MACARONS WITH PEAR AND EARL GREY FILLING
Serves: 8
Nutrition: 255 calories, 7.9 g fat (<1 g saturated), 19 mg sodium, 42.2 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 33 g sugar, 6 g protein (calculated with stevia baking blend)
Citrusy Earl Grey tea and fiber-filling pear combine to create a naturally sweet cookie filling that won't ruin your flat-belly goals.
Get the recipe from Bakers Royale.
GREEN TEA WHITE CHOCOLATE TIRAMISU
Serves: 10
Nutrition: 244 calories, 14.2 g fat (7.7 g saturated), 132 mg sodium, 21.6 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 1.3 g sugar, 8 g protein (calculated with stevia baking blend and ¾ cup reduced fat cream cheese in place of full-fat whipping cream)
Aside from containing the queen of weight loss teas, this recipe is slightly indulgent. But before you write it off, realize the it calls for multiple full-fat foods, which are accompanied by many essential vitamins and nutrients. Let's talk egg yolks for instance. The once shunned part of the egg contains choline, a nutrient vital to cell structure, optimal brain function, and liver health, as well as vitamins B, C and D. Opting for the fat-free version AKA the egg white would mean missing out on all of these nutrients.
Get the recipe from BLOG NAME HERE.
SWEET TEA COOKIES
Serves: 20
Nutrition: 218 calories, 9.9 g fat (6 g saturated), 77 mg sodium, 30.2 g carbs, <1 g fiber, 15.1 g sugar, 3 g protein (calculated with stevia baking blend and no salt)
Mint helps to nix cravings and ward the munchies. In fact, one study published in the Journal of Neurological and Orthopaedic Medicine found that people who sniffed peppermint every two hours lost an average of 5 pounds a month. Amazingly, this recipe calls for over half a cup of fresh mint leaves (although we're pretty sure you'll be doing more than sniffing these cookies).
Get the recipe from The Runaway Spoon.
MANGO GREEN TEA POPS
Serves: 6
Nutrition: 93 calories, 5.1 g fat (3.5 g saturated), 16 mg sodium, 11 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 8.6 g sugar, <1 g protein
Five wholesome ingredients and a plethora of waist whittling benefits, these fruit pops deserve some praise. You already know that green tea is a calorie torcher, but before you opt for reduced fat coconut milk, consider this: In a 2013 European Journal of Nutrition research review, 11 of the 16 studies included found that participants who consumed more high-fat dairy products either weighed less or gained less weight over time than their counterparts who didn't consume fat-laden dairy.
Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.
CHOCOLATE MATCHA ENERGY BALLS
Serves: 10
Nutrition: 61 calories, 2.7 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 9.8 g carbs, 2.2 g fiber, 6.6 g sugar, 1.6 g protein
With three weight loss superfood ingredients, these matcha energy balls fit flawlessly into any diet. But of the three—almonds, matcha, and cocoa—matcha is the most lethal (thanks to EGCG). Not to mention these bite size balls come together in just minutes!
Get the recipe from The Healthy Marven.
JASMINE AND WHITE CHOCOLATE WHOOPIE PIES
Serves: 10
Nutrition: 352 calories, 16.7 g fat (10 g saturated), 179 mg sodium, 44.6 g carbs, 1.1 g fiber, 17.3 g sugar, 6.4 g protein (calculated without topping and nonfat greek yogurt in place of cream)
Two cookies, sandwiching a cream filling–whoopie pies are straight up sinful. Nonetheless, we couldn't resist this Jasmine Tea version that's just 352 calories per pie without the topping and free of harmful, mystery ingredients. Allowing ourselves the occasional treat helps keep on us on track without weight loss goals. Just limit yourself to one.
Get the recipe from A Kingdom For a Caker.
SALTED HONEY CHAMOMILE ICE CREAM
Serves: 10
Nutrition: 184 calories, 9.6 g fat (10 g saturated), 49 mg sodium, 23 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 21.1 g sugar, 2.3 g protein (calculated with reduced fat cream cheese and no salt)
If you're looking to unwind after a long week, this chamomile ice cream will literally make your stress disappear. Unfortunately, stress and lack of sleep usually go hand in hand and wreck havoc on your waistline. However, one German study found that chamomile tea significantly improved the physical symptoms related to a lack of sleep, and even helped reduced levels of depression in the chronically sleep-deprived. So while you can't control how stressful work is, you can treat yourself to a scoop or two of this nerve-easing frozen treat.
Get the recipe from 10th Kitchenr.
