Everyone needs an occasional dessert. In fact, depriving oneself of sweet treats can actually lead to over-indulgence or binge eating. So can we tell ourselves with certainty that it's good to eat dessert? Sure, but we must also tell ourselves that desserts should be chosen wisely. Opt for desserts like these--low-fat versions of traditional favorites. Based on recipes endorsed by the American Heart Association, these desserts are perfect for those with a health conscious sweet tooth. Go ahead...indulge and be healthy.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup baby food prunes with applesauce
- 3/4 cup Splenda
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 large egg whites
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine Splenda, brown sugar and prunes in a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium with an electric hand mixer until well blended.
- Add egg whites and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until well-blended.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets sprayed with all-natural cooking spray. Slightly flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until cookies are firm.
Banana Cream Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 reduced-fat graham cracker pie crust
- 1 1/2 cups skim milk
- 14 oz. fat-free sweetened condensed milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sliced bananas
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 8 egg whites
- 1/2 cup sugar
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine skim milk, condensed milk and egg in a saucepan. Whisk together to combine.
- Place the milk mixture on the stove over medium heat. Continue to stir as flour is added a little at a time. Cook, stirring constantly, for 7 to 9 minutes or until thick.
- Remove mixture from heat. Add 2 cups sliced bananas and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine.
- Using a rubber spatula, scrape mixture into the graham cracker pie crust. Set pie aside.
- Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites on high until fluffy.
- Add sugar a little at a time. After each addition, beat the mixture on high until stiff peaks form.
- Spoon the meringue over the pie, starting in the center and moving out toward the edges.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until meringue turns golden. Cool for at least 30 minutes prior to serving. To store in refrigerator, allow pie to cool completely, then cover and store for up to 24 hours before serving (after 24 hours bananas will begin to turn brown).
Pecan Brownies
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup Splenda
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine flour, cocoa powder and baking powder in a bowl. Stir well to combine. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine Splenda and butter. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium to medium high speed for 2 minutes.
- Add egg, applesauce and vanilla to the sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.
- Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat on low to medium speed until thoroughly combined.
- Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.
- Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with all-natural cooking spray. Pour batter into pan.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
These desserts are perfect with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. Keep in mind that just because these dessert recipes are healthy and low-fat, that doesn't grant carte blanche to eat a whole pie or an entire plate of cookies! Anything eaten in excess packs on calories and fat, so eat wisely...and enjoy every bite.
Please note that these recipes are only based on recipes from the American Heart Association. These recipes are simply meant as healthy, low-fat alternatives, and are in no way meant to be used by people on restricted diets or by people with heart problems or cardiac disease.
Low-Fat & Luscious Desserts; American Heart Association; 2000.
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