Tanya'S Treat(Low Calorie)
Tanya's Treat is a light, creamy dessert layered with fresh peaches and a graham cracker crust, topped with a refreshing peach jello. Perfect for summer gatherings or casual get-togethers, it offers a delightful balance of sweetness and tang, appealing to those seeking a low-calorie, fruity treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted margarine until crumbly.
- Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan and chill for 15 minutes.
- Beat the softened lite cream cheese, then add 1/4 cup sugar and mix well.
- Gradually add milk and beat until smooth.
- Fold in lite Cool Whip and spread over the crust.
- Arrange sliced lite peaches on top of the cream layer.
- Dissolve orange jello in hot water.
- Combine cold water and ice cubes to make 1 1/4 cups and add to the jello.
- Stir until slightly thickened, then remove unmelted ice cubes.
- Gently pour the jello mixture over the peaches.
- Chill the dessert for 3 hours before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a gluten-free option, substitute the graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free biscuit crumbs. If you want to reduce sugar even more, consider using a sugar substitute in both the crust and the cream layer. For an extra fruit flavor, you can add fresh berries along with the peaches or use a different flavor of gelatin, such as strawberry or raspberry.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Tanya's Treat chilled, garnished with a sprig of mint for a fresh touch. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side. This dessert is perfect for summer gatherings or as a light finish to a meal, especially when accompanied by other light dishes like Lime Chiffon Squares.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the texture, avoid freezing as the cream layer may separate upon thawing. If you need to reheat, serve chilled directly from the fridge, as this dessert is best enjoyed cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Tanya'S Treat(Low Calorie) contains roughly 350 calories, with 5g protein, 61g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (23% of the Daily Value), calcium (21% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and protein.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular cream cheese instead of lite?
Yes, you can use regular cream cheese, but it will increase the calorie count of the dessert. If you prefer a richer flavor and don't mind the extra calories, go ahead. Just ensure it’s softened for easier mixing.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
To make this dessert vegan, use vegan cream cheese and a plant-based whipped topping instead of lite Cool Whip. Replace the margarine with a vegan butter substitute and ensure the graham cracker crumbs are also dairy-free, as some brands contain milk.
What can I substitute for the orange jello?
If you prefer not to use gelatin, you can substitute the orange jello with a fruit puree or juice mixed with a plant-based thickener like agar-agar or cornstarch. This will give you a similar fruit flavor without using traditional gelatin.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).