There are plenty of reasons to cut down on sugary sweets, with better dental health being a top one. Luckily, you can still satisfy your sweet tooth without relying on sugar. Here are some great alternatives and recipes:

**Truvia®**
Truvia® is a modern low-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant, which has been used in South America for sweetening for centuries. A baking blend version offers 75% fewer calories than regular sugar.

**Brownies**
Classic desserts, like brownies, are a good test for sugar substitutes. Truvia® has a brownie recipe that simply replaces sugar with Truvia®. The result is a delicious brownie that’s better for your teeth and waistline, with each two-inch square containing no more than 130 calories.

**Panna Cotta**
This Italian buttermilk custard, often seen on cooking shows, is another dessert where you can use Truvia®. You’ll need four small ramekins, 2% milk, low-fat buttermilk, one and a quarter teaspoons of gelatin, and of course, Truvia®. Top it off with seasonal berries and a bit more Truvia® for a delightful treat.

**Natural Juice Desserts**
Using the natural sweetness of fruits and berries, you can create easy, quick, and tasty desserts.

**Apple-Banana Pie**
Think of this as a deconstructed smoothie with a pie crust. Place equal amounts of peeled and sliced bananas and apples into a pie plate, cover with lemon juice, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Place a prepared pie crust on top and bake at 350 degrees until the crust is golden brown. Simple and delicious.

**Raspberry Sorbet**
Agave nectar is another natural sweetener that won’t harm your teeth. Blend four cups of fresh raspberries, two cups of agave nectar, and a quarter cup of lemon juice until smooth. Pour into six freezer-rated dessert dishes and freeze for an hour. Let them thaw for about 15 minutes before serving.

**Erythritol**
For something fun, try making sugar-free suckers with Erythritol, a sweetener that doesn’t cause tooth decay. You’ll need water, candy flavoring oils, food coloring, sucker sticks, and a candy thermometer. Kids especially will love these, and they won’t harm their teeth.

These five recipes range from baked goods to frozen treats. You can easily adapt the techniques and ingredients to experiment with your own creations. Enjoy your sweets and keep your teeth healthy!