Lactose-free desserts can be made with fresh fruit, compote, and dairy-free substitutes. Lactose is a sugar found in milk that some people cannot digest. Fruit-based desserts can be made with a whipped cream substitute or in a pie crust. Dairy-free versions of traditional desserts can be found in stores or made with vegan substitutes.
The different types of lactose-free desserts can include fresh fruit, fruit compote, and fruit-filled cake. These types of desserts use natural fruits and spices to sweeten dishes in general, rather than dairy products. Dairy-free foods can also be used in traditional recipes to replace milk, butter, and other common lactose-containing products.
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and all milk-based products. Those who are lactose intolerant do not naturally produce the enzyme lactase in sufficient quantities in their bodies. Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose into glucose and galactose, which are then used for nutrient value by the bloodstream. A small percentage of the population is unable to process galactose and these individuals are unable to digest dairy products. For these sufferers, lactose-free desserts offer the sweetness of traditional desserts without incorporating the potentially harmful dairy ingredients they need to avoid.
Fruit is the basis for many lactose-free desserts. It can be served alone or in a gelatin-based mold as a mixed fruit salad and topped with powdered sugar to increase its sweetness. A whipped cream substitute can be created by combining softened tofu, vanilla extract, sugar, and soy or almond milk. These ingredients can be combined and whipped with a hand-held electric mixer. The finished product can be spooned onto fresh fruit, fruit compote or fruit cake.
Fruit Compote combines multiple types of fruit in a syrupy baking dish. The fruit used should complement each other and can be fresh, frozen, canned or dried. Some recipes call for the use of multiple types of preservation methods to increase the flavor and varieties in texture of the dessert. The fruit is layered together in a baking dish and topped with a brown sugar-based glaze that may incorporate other flavored extracts and liqueurs, depending on the chef’s preference. It is then followed with a glaze of fruit juice, baking spices and candied nuts and baked in a hot oven until set.
Pies filled with different types of fruit can be used to create a wide variety of lactose-free desserts. The basic fruit filling combines fresh or frozen chopped fruit, sugar, baking spices, and a small amount of flour. These ingredients cook inside a pastry shell to form a hot, bubbling, syrupy filling that is irresistible. The puff pastry shell, which lines the bottom of the baking sheet and can also serve as the crust, can be made from flour, shortening, salt, and water.
Those who crave dairy-free desserts made from dairy products, such as cakes, cookies, muffins and ice cream, can find many dairy-free varieties at local grocery stores. Consumers should carefully check the ingredient labels on any pre-prepared blends to ensure that no dairy products were used during production. Some traditional recipes can even be modified by substituting vegan versions of common dairy products, such as almond milk for cow’s milk and vegan margarine for butter. Many of these products include consumer recommendations on the packaging for replacement amounts.
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