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Dessert Recipes to Savor! Sweet Treats with a Taste of the Exotic

Beautiful, Guilt-free Thai Desserts (including gluten-free/vegan)

By , About.com Guide

For a delicious dessert that tastes like a tropical paradise, try one of these beautiful Thai desserts!  These Thai delights are naturally low in fat and calories while remaining high in flavor, texture, and taste. Many are also lactose and gluten free - perfect for those with special diet requirements. Looking for an easy dessert recipe? You'll find a variety of easy desserts here that you can whip up in no time. Enjoy one of these colorful and flavorful Thai desserts tonight!

1. Thai-style Creme Caramel (Lactose/gluten-free)

Easy Thai Creme CaramelCopyright D.Schmidt

A Thai version of the classic creme caramel dessert that is super-easy to make, melt-in-your mouth delicious, and healthier than traditional creme caramel! This recipe calls for coconut milk instead of cream (coconut milk contains good fats that actually lower your cholesterol), so if you're lactose-intolerant, this is a good dessert choice for you. It also makes an elegant dessert to serve guests or take to a party. Best of all, this recipe can be whipped up and in the oven in less than 10 minutes!

2. Coconut Cake (with Fluffy Coconut Icing)

Coconut CakeCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 04/30/10

This coconut cake is made with coconut milk and shredded coconut for the ultimate coconut-ty taste! In Thailand, all the top hotels make their coconut cake with freshly-squeezed coconut milk from the local market. Here I've replicated the idea using coconut milk and shredded coconut. It has literally taken me years of trial and error to get this recipe right. I'm sure you'll love it as much as we do.

3. Easy Banana, Lychee & Coconut Dessert

Bananas & Lychees in Sweet Coconut MilkD.Schmidt

Don't be deceived by the simplicity of this recipe - the taste is so wonderfully sweet and exotic that I have often found it addictive. It's also a low fat dessert that happens to be incredibly healthy. A great way to use up leftover bananas, this simple, but yummy dessert can be served warm or cold, depending on the weather and your mood (cold is great on a warm night, while serving it heated up makes this a superb comfort food any time of the year). Enjoy!

4. Crunchy Fried Bananas - Easy No-Batter Recipe!

Fried BananasCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 07/16/10

Make this dessert and you'll have friends for life! My most popular Thai dessert - and for good reason. This fried banana recipe is yummy and easy to make - just follow the steps! Enjoy fried bananas hot from the pan, or add chocolate sauce and ice cream (or whipped cream) for a special Thai dessert that is to-die-for delicious!

5. Thai Rice Pudding with Mango

Thai Rice Pudding with MangoD.Schmidt for About.com
This Rice pudding is creamy and exotic tasting, and the best part is that it's easy to make. The addition of a fresh mango sauce makes it even more special, and yet if you don't have the time or access to fresh mangoes, the pudding is equally lovely on its own, or you can use canned mango as well. And being able to make it ahead of time makes it perfect for serving guests. I hope you enjoy it!

6. Pineapple-Mango Upside Down Cake (with the Taste of Caramel)

Pineapple Upside-down CakeCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 05/31/10

This moist Pineapple-Mango Upside Down Cake is picture perfect and delicious with a caramel topping. It is made Thai-style with coconut milk and fresh mango for the ultimate summer cake. You'll want to serve it next time you're entertaining - makes a sweet ending to a summer cookout, picnic, or party. Also a great way to use up a fresh pineapple or mango.

7. Thai Mango Pudding

Mango PuddingD.Schmidt

This Thai recipe for mango pudding is really easy to make - you'll have it whipped up and in the refrigerator in just 15 minutes. Great for company!

8. Thai Mango Sticky Rice Dessert - a Thai Classic!

Mango Sticky Rice PuddingD.Schmidt

Thai Mango Sticky Sweet Rice Dessert (Khao Niaow Ma Muang)is an absolute must try! This recipe is foolproof and simple. It starts with sweet rice (also called sticky rice) which is surrounded by a "bath" of coconut milk, then topped with slices of fresh (or frozen) mango. If you like mangos and coconut, you're going to love this wonderful tropical dessert.

9. Easy Tapioca Mango Pudding - Vegan, Gluten-free/Lactose-free

Tapioca Mango PuddingD.Schmidt

Remember your mom's tapioca? Well, this Tapioca Mango Pudding is far more scrumptious, plus it takes a fraction of the time to make (sorry mom!). A great dessert for everyday, and never fails to impress company. ENJOY!

10. Star Fruit in Mango-Orange Sauce Dessert (Vegan/gluten-free)

Star Fruit DessertCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, About.com Corp.

This special dessert recipe is beautiful to serve, plus easy to make and healthy too! It starts with slices of fresh star fruit (instructions on how to buy and prepare star fruit are included). While star fruit can be eaten fresh, in this recipe the fruit is lightly cooked and then given a tropical-tasting mango-orange sauce. Topped with a drizzle of coconut milk, this light and delicious dessert is beautiful to serve and lovely to eat.

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