Healthy Desserts To Kick Start Your Resolutions

Bella Breakdown

If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier or get in shape, it can be hard to quell cravings for sweets and junk food. Rather than deprive yourself of these treats, work some healthier recipes into your routine so you can kick those cravings and still feel good about yourself. Try one of these low-calorie, healthy dessert options next time you’re feeling that sugar rush coming on.

Angel Food Cake With Fruit Compote
Angel food cake is light, airy and low in calories, making it a great option for your diet. Make it yourself or buy a store-bought cake and freeze the remainder. Try mixing up the fruit for seasonal options!

1 1/2 cups egg whites (10 to 12 large)
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/3 cups extra-fine granulated sugar
1 tablespoon finely shredded orange peel
1 cup sifted cake flour
1 1/3 cups water
2 6 – 7 – ounce package dried apricots, halved
1 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup orange juice

In an extra-large bowl allow egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Add cream of tartar to egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add the 1-1/3 cups extra-fine sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).

Sprinkle orange peel over beaten egg whites. Sift about one-fourth of the flour over beaten egg whites; fold in gently. Repeat, folding in the remaining flour by fourths. Pour batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Gently cut through batter to remove any large air pockets.
Bake on the lowest rack in a 350 degrees oven about 40 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert cake (leave in pan); cool thoroughly. Loosen sides of cake from pan; remove cake.

Meanwhile, for compote, in a medium saucepan combine water, apricots, cranberries, orange juice, the 1/3 cup sugar, the cinnamon, vanilla, and almond extract. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon. Transfer the compote to a serving bowl. Serve warm or cool over cake slices.

No Pudge Brownies
With a few ingredient swaps, you can get a rich, fudgy brownie for a lot fewer calories. Try these with some Greek or frozen yogurt for a healthier brownie sundae!

1 large egg
1 egg white
3 tablespoons plain nonfat yogurt
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 ounces high-quality unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/3 cup buckwheat or presifted whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat an 8-inch-square nonstick baking pan with cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk together egg, egg white, yogurt, and vanilla extract; set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, oil, salt, and 3 tablespoons water, stirring constantly for 3 minutes on medium-high heat. Remove from heat; stir in cocoa and chocolate until chocolate melts, then add egg mixture. Add all flour, stirring until batter is smooth.
Pour batter into baking pan. Bake 25 minutes, or until top is firm. Cool completely in pan on rack. Cut into squares.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies
Yes, you can even eat these for breakfast! Healthy, hearty oats form the base of these cookies, making them full of fiber and great nutrition while giving you a chocolate kick.

1/2 cup rolled oats
scant 1/2 cup applesauce or over-ripe banana (mashed)
1/4 cup nut butter of choice (I used salted peanut butter)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp chocolate chips
1/16 tsp salt, plus a tiny pinch more if desired (taste dough to decide)
1 packet stevia if using applesauce version (or 1 tablespoon sugar)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mash the applesauce or banana with the nut butter, then add all other ingredients and mix until well-combined. Shape into cookies and bake for around 14 minutes. This recipe probably yields around 10-12 cookies.

Author: Phoebe Dawson

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