- Perfectly portioned mini upside-down cakes.
This old-school dessert never goes out of style, but the fat and calories in traditional recipes might force you out of those skinny jeans. Our properly portioned recipe saves the day!
Lightening Things Up
Recipes for typical pineapple upside-down cake call for sticks of butter and cups of sugar just for the pineapple topping! This leads to slices of cake with at least 400 calories and 15 grams of fat.
Making pineapple upside-down cupcakes equals portion control for this culinary classic. You can also make this same recipe in a 9×13 inch cake pan and divide into 12 pieces for the calories to come out the same. While the occasional maraschino cherry (the typical topping), is harmless, we used fresh raspberries instead.
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There are many ways to go about holiday cookie-making without gobs of butter and sugar—really, there are! Here are some ways to indulge sensibly.
For those with children to please, get them involved! Try these adorable classic gingerbread boys and girls (pictured above). Set up a decorating station with frosting, sprinkles and maybe even some gum drops—it’s a fun activity and delicious treat rolled into one.
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Cooking for a crowd this holiday? Stumped by how to accommodate family members with special dietary needs? We’ve got sweet ideas for everyone at your table.
Kid-Friendly
Little fingers will love scooping up these tiny cupcakes. They’re portion controlled for the adults, too.
Recipe: Mini Carrot Cupcakes
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Flour 101
“Flour” is basically the ground meal of any grain. While wheat is most common, oats, corn and rice (among others) are also available. Wheat flours are the classic choice for most baked goods and also tend to have the greatest variation. Types will differ by the coarseness of the grain, amount of gluten (a protein with elastic “chewy” properties), and the presence of any additional ingredients.
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There’s nothing wrong with a little trick-or-treating but some Halloween goodies can be downright spooky! Why not make a few of the classics on your own, and eliminate some of the preservatives found in store-bough treats? Here’s a recipe for one of our favorites: peanut butter cups.
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- One-ingredient banana "ice cream" and assorted toppings.
There’s been quite a buzz over this frozen treat, so we tried our hand at the one-ingredient wonder – homemade banana “ice cream.”
Go Bananas
Banana muffins and banana bread are classic go-to recipes for over-ripe bananas, but there are some cooler options. When you’ve got more bananas than you know what to do with, slice them into large pieces and place in freezer-safe bag in the freezer for at least 4 hours (overnight is better). These frozen fruit chunks make creamy and frothy smoothies and a surprisingly similar dairy-free alternative to ice cream.
One medium banana totals about 105 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein. You’ll also get healthy doses of vitamins C and B6 and potassium. Bananas are also free of fat and cholesterol.
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- Skip the freezer aisle and make your own ice pops in fancy flavors.
We covered the basics of making your own ice pops, now it’s time to get fancy. From sweet to savory and icy to creamy, grab some Popsicle molds (or paper cups and wooden sticks) and get chillin’.
Popsicle Basics
Ice pops are a healthy indulgence. They can be made with nutritious ingredients like fruit, fruit juice, herbs, milk and yogurt. A little sugar, honey, or even alcohol can make them extra special. Since they’re portion controlled, there’s no need to feel guilty.
You can freeze almost anything into an ice pop – use these simple tips for success every time.
- Always use freezer-safe containers.
- Allow at least 6 hours to freeze (overnight is ideal), then run molds under warm water to release.
- Adjust amounts of sweeteners and other flavorings to taste.
- Watch portions of alcohol – use too much and the pops won’t set up properly (you’ll have slush instead).
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- Learn the basic fruit crisp method, then use the recipe year-round!
If you’re a fruit crisp virgin, try baking this dessert classic using fresh seasonal fruit. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to get started and some fun combinations to try.
Make a fruit crisp today »
- Celebrate one of our favorite food "holidays" with a homemade oatmeal cookie.
In honor of National Oatmeal Cookie Day (officially April 30!), we’re celebrating this classic cookie. There are so many reasons we love this delectable treat — here’s how it can be part of a healthy diet.
Our best oatmeal cookie recipes »
- Mini Olive Oil Cakes With Lemon Glaze - Image Courtesy Food Network Magazine
There’s just something special about the bright and tangy goodness of a lemon. Sprinkle in some sweet elements and your taste buds get a wake up call. Celebrate spring with any of these lemony Healthy Eats-approved treats.
TELL US: What’s your favorite lemon dessert?
