Just because you are trying to eat healthy doesn’t mean you can’t have dessert. By using low sugar and low fat recipes with
a mix of fruit and nuts, you can actually get a lot of nutrition out of your sweet treats! I’ve taken the guilt out of these yummy desserts. With a maximum of 150 calories per serving, now you can enjoy one every day of the week. The last thing you want to do when you’re watching your weight is deprive yourself, so dig in!
Chocolate Cookie Crumble Cups: You will need a 4 serving size package of sugar free jello pudding mix, 2 cups of fat
free milk, whipped topping (Cool Whip works best), and 1/3 cup of your favorite cookie crumbs (oreo, chips ahoy, graham cracker, etc.). Prepare pudding mix according to package and set aside. In a small bowl combine 1.5 cups of whipped topping with crumbs. In 8 small dessert bowls distribute the pudding and then top that with the topping mixture. Each of these treats comes in at only 65 calories!
Apple Crisp: You will need 5 cups sliced peeled apple, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2
cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup of sugar, 3 tbsp flour, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 3 tbsp butter. For filling: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl combine apples, 2 tbsp sugar, lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Transfer mixture into a 2 quart square baking dish. For topping: In medium bowl combine oats, 1/4 cup sugar, flour, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle topping over filling. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm and top with low fat whipped cream. Each half-cup serving is only 140 calories!
Creamy Lime Mousse: You will need a 4 serving size package of sugar-free lime flavored gelatin, 1 cup of boiling water,
1/2 tsp of finely shredded lime peel, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 8ounce carton of sour cream, and 1 cup of Cool Whip. In a large bowl combine gelatin and boiling water; stir until gelatin is dissolved (2 minutes or so). Stir in shredded lime peel and lime juice. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Whisk in sour cream. Gently whisk in 1 cup of dessert topping. Pour into 6 glasses. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Each one comes in at 110 calories!
Banana Pudding Pops: You will need 1/2 cup of light brown sugar, 2 tablespoon cornstarch, pinch of salt, 2 cups low fat
milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 cups of diced bananas. Whisk sugar, cornstarch and salt in large saucepan. Add milk and which until combined. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking occasionally. Once boiling, whisk constantly for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Put about half the mixture into a blender with the bananas. Process until smooth. Combine both mixtures and then divide it among 10 freezer pop molds (or paper cups) and insert the sticks. Freeze until firm and enjoy this 80 calorie treat!
Two Minute Frozen Yogurt: Combine 3/4 cup vanilla sugar-free yogurt, 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries (or frozen mango, bananas, etc), and 8 frozen strawberries into a blender. Puree until smooth and serve immediately.
Cherry Almond Chocolate Clusters: You will need 1 cup of whole roasted almonds, coarsely chopped, 1/2 cup of dried
cherries (dried apricots work well too), coarsely chopped, and 6 ounces of dark chocolate, finely chopped. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Put dark chocolate in a bowl and microwave for 30 sec and stir. Repeat this until chocolate is just melted. Stir in dried fruit and nuts. Spoon out heaping tablespoon-size clusters of mixture onto the baking sheet about one inch apart. Put them in the refrigerator and let them set for about 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature. Each of these are only 150 calories!
Indoor S’Mores: You will need 2 whole graham crackers, broken in half, 4 large marshmallows, and 2 tablespoons of
bittersweet chocolate chips, melted. Position oven rack in upper third of the oven and preheat the broiler. Place graham cracker halves of baking sheet and top each one with a marshmallow. Broil in oven for 45-75 seconds or until slightly browned. Remove from oven and drizzle with chocolate. Enjoy one of these treats for just 95 calories!
Bananas with Chocolate Drizzle: For one serving you will need 1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips, 1/2 banana thinly sliced, and 1 tablespoon nonfat vanilla yogurt. Melt chocolate chips in a small bowl in the microwave. Top banana slices with the chocolate and yogurt. This treat is only 115 calories!
Chocolate Bark with Pistachios and Dried Cranberries: You will need 3/4 cup roasted, shelled pistachios, 3/4 cup dried cranberries, 1 teaspoon orange zest, and 24 ounces of bittersweet chocolate. Line a baking sheet with foil. Toss pistachios and cranberries in a medium bowl. Divide mixture in half and add orange zest into one portion. Melt chocolate in microwave (put in for 30 second increments and stir). Add the pistachio mix with zest to the chocolate and mix well. Spread mixture onto pan and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle remaining pistachio and cranberry mix on top and gently press into the chocolate with your fingertips. Refrigerate uncovered for 20 minutes. Invert pan onto large cutting board and peel off the foil. Break into 2 to 3 inch chunks with a knife (serves 10). Each serving is only 80 calories!
Chocolate Mousse: You will need a package of instant sugar-free Jell-O chocolate pudding mix, 2 cups of low fat milk, 2
cups of Cool Whip, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Beat pudding mix into 2 cups of cold milk using a whisk or electric mixer for 2 minutes. Fold in the Cool Whip and vanilla extract (you can also add in 1/4 tsp of cinnamon here). Stir until well blended and divide amongst 6 small bowls. Chill until ready to serve. Enjoy one portion of mousse for only 120 calories!
** Other easy ways of satisfying your sweet tooth without sabotaging your efforts to eat healthy: kettle corn, frozen bananas, jello pudding, Skinny Cow clusters and meringue cookies.
Hopefully these recipes will help satisfy your cravings and get you into the kitchen. A delicious dessert doesn’t need to ruin an entire day of healthy eating and these treats prove it! Stay tuned for next weeks article on how to make healthy Italian food. Happy cooking!!