FN's Top Recipes, Lightened Up: #4 Paula's Pumpkin Bars

These delectable bars were number 4 on Food Network’s Top 50 Recipes of 2009. Here are a few simple tips to lighten them up (without using lower fat ingredients!)

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These delectable bars were number four on Food Network’s Top 50 Recipes of 2009. Here are a few simple tips to slim them down without using lower-fat ingredients (seriously!).

Guiltless Pleasure

This fan favorite recipe uses canned pumpkin, which adds moisture and flavor without much fat. Pumpkins are loaded with beta-carotene and the antioxidant lutein, which keep your eyes, skin and heart healthy.

Our Tips For A Lighter Version

For the bars, swap in canola oil instead of vegetable oil to make the fat more heart healthy.

For the icing, you could turn to low-fat cream cheese. Yes, this will skim off about 10 calories and a few grams of fat per bar, but to slim these babies down even more, there are two other options:

1. Simply half the icing recipe -- this will save you about 50 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 10 milligrams of cholesterol per bar (based on 24 bars).

OR

2. Save the same amount of calories as above by decreasing portions -- make 48 bars (instead of 24).

    Check out more lighter tips for Food Network's Top 50 Recipes:

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