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Category: Desserts & Fruit

Quick Three Applesauce

Quick Three Applesauce

1/2 C. Water
3 medium, ripe, apples
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 packet Splenda *see bottom notes
Spritz lemon juice

Clean apples, slice in half and core. Cut apples into slices or chunks and place into a medium size stovetop pan. Add water. Bring to rapid boil and boil for 4 minutes while stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium and stir frequently while apples continue to cook. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Add in the sugar (or substitute) and cinnamon, stir for another minute. Cool in pan. Serve hot, warm or use in recipes calling for applesauce.

Note: Begin by using only one packet of sweetener. Some apples are sweeter than others and may not need much. Some may not need any sugar at all. You may want to test your apples before you add in the sugar or substitute sugar. Add a dash of lemon juice to the mix if you won’t be using sauce right away.

Five Minute Mousse

Five Minute Mousse

3 3/4 oz. Jello Chocolate Fat Free Pudding
1 1/2 C. Skim Milk
2 C. Cool Whip Lite (thawed)

Beat the pudding mix with a wire whisk into skim milk for 1 minute. Stir in cool whip lite. Spoon into 4 dessert dishes.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 104
Fat: 4.5g
Fiber: 0g

Sponge Cookies

Sponge Cookies

1/2 C. cake flour, sifted
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 eggs, separated
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
6 T. sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and saltsp. Beat egg yolks in a small bowl, rapidly, until very thick and lemon colored, adding almond and vanilla flavorings during the beating. With clean beaters, beat the egg whites until stiff and shiny; begin to add sugar, not more than 1 T. at a time, and beat constantly. Continue to beat rapidly until whites are very stiff and glossy. Gently fold in the beaten egg yolks. In the same manner fold in the dry ingredients until well mixed. Using a small spatula and a measuring T., measure and droop onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apartsp. Bake for 10 minutes until light and golden brown. Remove at once from sheet to cool.

Yield: 39 cookies
Serving Size: 3 cookies

Calories: 50
Fat: .9g
Fiber: 0g

Blueberry Meringue Tarts

Blueberry Meringue Tarts

3 egg whites
3 T. regular nonfat dry milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 packets sugar substitute
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 C. rosé wine
3 packets sugar substitute
2 C. fresh or frozen blueberries, rinsed and drained

In a bowl beat egg whites until very stiff. Gradually beat in dry milk powder. Beat in vanilla and 3 packets of the sugar substitute, beating until mixture holds its shape. Spoon mixture into 8 3-inch tart pans. Spread mixture with the back of a spoon until the bottom and sides of tart pan are lined. Bake in a preheated slow oven (275 degrees F.) for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on rack. In a saucepan, mix gelatin, wine and sugar substitute. Stir over low heat until gelatin is dissolved. Chill until syrupy. Stir in blueberries. Spoon mixture into cooled tart pans, mounding filling high. Chill until ready to serve. Note: Be sure to use a sugar substitute that can be heated without losing its sweetening abilities, like Splenda.

Banana Snacking Cake

Banana Snacking Cake

2 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/3 C. Fleischmann’s margarine, softened
1 1/4 C. sugar
3/4 C. Egg Beaters 99% Real Egg Product (3 eggs)
1 1/4 C. bananas, mashed
2/3 C. plain nonfat yogurt

In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; set aside. In large bowl, with electric mixer at medium speed, beat margarine and sugar until well combined. At low speed, blend in egg beaters and bananas. Add flour mixture alternately with yogurt, mixing until smooth. Stir in walnuts if desired. Spoon batter into greased and floured 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack. Dust with confectioner’s sugar if desired before serving.

Almost Fat Free Honey Cake

Almost Fat Free Honey Cake

1 3/4 cups honey
1 cup strong coffee
1/2 cup currants, or raisins
3 T. brandy
1/4 cup applesauce
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
1 cup egg substitute
3 1/2 cups flour
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 T. grated orange zest

In a saucepan, combine the honey and coffee, bring to a boil and cool. Soak currants in brandy. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend the applesauce, brown sugar and egg substitute. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Stir the dry ingredients alternately with the coffee into the egg mixture. Fold in the currants and orange zest. Spray Pam in two 9×5-inch loaf pans (or use non-stick pans). Pour the batter in and bake for 1 hour; the top will be sticky, but a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Almond Angel Cake

Almond Angel Cake

1 cup cake flour
1 1/2 C. superfine granulated sugar
1 1/4 C. egg whites (about 10 large eggs whites), at room temperature
1 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Sift the flour twice with 1/2 cup of the sugar. With an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form when the mixer is removed from the batter. Add half of the remaining sugar and beat for 1 minute. Add the remaining sugar, 2 T. at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extract. Fold the flour and sugar mixture into the egg whites, 1/4 cup at a time, just until incorporated. Put the batter in an ungreased 10″ tube pan and bake until the cake is light golden brown and springy to the touch, about 1 hour. Invert the pan and let the cake cool completely before removing from the pan.

1/14 cake = 129 calories

Almost Non-Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Almost Non-Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies

3 C. white flour
1 1/2 C. whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 C. mashed green bananas (unripe)
1 1/2 C. granulated sugar
1 1/2 C. brown sugar
3 tsp. vanilla
4 egg whites
1/2 pkg. Toll House morsels

Mix all ingredients together in mixer, adding chocolate chips last. Bake rounded tsp.fuls on greased cookie sheets at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Banana Cake

Banana Cake

4 Over ripe bananas
1 Over ripe pear
5 Egg whites
2 tsp ground clove
1 T. cinnamon
2 packets Splenda
1 T. vanilla
3 cups cooked rice

Preheat oven to 375. In a blender blend your egg whites until light. Pour into a separate bowl. In the blender blend bananas and pear until almost a thick liquid. Add back in egg whites whip until mixed. Add spices and Splenda. Pour into a big bowl and add rice. Mix Well. Pour into a round, Teflon coated cake pan. Sprinkle cinnamon on top for appearance. Bake 1 hour. Let cool. Enjoy warm from the oven, cold or nuked.

Banana Turnovers

Banana Turnovers

3 small bananas, thinly sliced
(12 oz.)
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. butter
4 sheets phyllo pastry dough

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Combine the bananas and sugar in a bowl and toss until well mixed. Heat the butter in a sauté pan. Add the banana-sugar mixture and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, put back in the bowl, and place in the refrigerator to chill. Lay 1 sheet of the phyllo at a time on a flat work surface with the narrow end toward you. Spray with non-stick cooking spray and then fold into thirds lengthwise, spraying between each fold. Spoon 3 T. of the banana filling about 2 inches from the bottom and slightly to the left-hand corner of the phyllo strip. Fold up the 2-inch flap over the filling. Fold the left-hand corner of the phyllo diagonally to the right-hand side of the phyllo to cover the filling. Continue folding in this flag-style fold until you reach the end of the sheet. Lift the turnover onto a baking sheet and again spray with the non-stick cooking spray. Repeat with the remaining phyllo sheets and filling. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

4 servings. 175 calories.

Orange-Ginger Biscotti

Orange-Ginger Biscotti

2 1/2 C. flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch salt
3 fresh oranges
3 large eggs
3/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger
powdered sugar, for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, pepper and salt. Finely grate 1 T. of zest from the oranges and set aside. Squeeze 4 T. of juice through a strainer and reserve. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, orange zest and juice together. Add this to the flour mixture along with the candied ginger and stir until a stiff dough forms. Scrape the dough onto a lightly sugared work surface and divide it into 4 pieces. Roll each piece with the palms of your hands into a log slightly shorter than the length of your cookie sheet. Place two logs on each cookie sheet, several inches apart (the logs will double in width). Bake for 15 minutes, until the logs feel set or firm to the touch. Set the cookie sheets on racks and let cool. Reset the oven to 300°F. When cool to the touch, place the logs on a cutting board. With a serrated knife, slice them into 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Lay the biscotti out on the prepared cookie sheets in a single layer and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until they are dry and lightly toasted. Cool completely. Store in an airtight tin or plastic container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

3 Biscotti = 101 calories

Double Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Double Chocolate Chip Biscotti

1 1/2 C. flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 pinch salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
powdered sugar, for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs together. Add this to the flour mixture along with the chocolate chips and stir until a stiff dough forms. Scrape the dough onto a lightly sugared work surface and divide it into 4 pieces. Roll each piece with the palms of your hands into a log slightly shorter than the length of your cookie sheet. Place two logs on each cookie sheet, several inches apart (the logs will double in width). Bake for 15 minutes, until the logs feel set or firm to the touch. Set the cookie sheets on racks and let cool. Reset the oven to 300°F. When cool to the touch, place the logs on a cutting board. With a serrated knife, slice them into 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Lay the biscotti out on the prepared cookie sheets in a single layer and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until they are dry and lightly toasted. Cool completely. Store in an airtight tin or plastic container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

3 Cookies = 128 calories

Honey-Almond Biscotti

Honey-Almond Biscotti

2 1/2 C. flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
3 large eggs
1 T. finely grated lemon zest
2 T. honey
1 cup crushed almonds
powdered sugar, for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, lemon zest and honey together. Add this to the flour mixture along with the almonds and stir until a stiff dough forms. Scrape the dough onto a lightly sugared work surface and divide it into 4 pieces. Roll each piece with the palms of your hands into a log slightly shorter than the length of your cookie sheet. Place two logs on each cookie sheet, several inches apart (the logs will double in width). Bake for 15 minutes, until the logs feel set or firm to the touch. Set the cookie sheets on racks and let cool. Reset the oven to 300°F. When cool to the touch, place the logs on a cutting board. With a serrated knife, slice them into 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Lay the biscotti out on the prepared cookie sheets in a single layer and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until they are dry and lightly toasted. Cool completely. Store in an airtight tin or plastic container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

3 Biscotti = 101 calories

Toffee Biscotti

Toffee Biscotti

2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packaged almond toffee bits (such as Hershey’s Heath Bits’ O Brickle)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 T. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 large eggs
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine the flour, granulated sugar, toffee bits, brown sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Combine vegetable oil, vanilla, and eggs; add to flour mixture, stirring until well-blended (dough will be dry and crumbly). Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead lightly 7 to 8 times. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into an 8-inch-long roll. Place rolls 6 inches apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray, and flatten each roll to 1-inch thickness. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove rolls from baking sheet; cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Cut each roll diagonally into 15 (1/2-inch) slices. Place slices, cut sides down, on baking sheet. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees; bake 10 minutes. Turn cookies over; bake an additional 10 minutes (cookies will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool). Remove from baking sheet; cool completely on wire rack.

1 cookie 103 calories

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

1 (18.25-ounce) package light devil’s food cake mix
2 T. stick margarine or butter, softened
2 T. water
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; beat at medium speed of a mixer 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded T. 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350&176; for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

1 cookie; calories: 50

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

1 can pumpkin
1 C. Egg Beaters
1 C. 2% milk
1/2 C. Splenda
3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Mix all ingredients. Spray 8″ glass pan with oil. Fill with mix. Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes and 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

Honey Almond Cookies

Honey Almond Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
2 T. vegetable oil
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 large egg white
Cooking spray
1/4 cup sliced almonds, chopped

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Combine sugar, honey, butter, and oil in a bowl; beat at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended. Add extracts and egg white to sugar mixture. Beat until well-blended. Stir in flour mixture (dough will be sticky). Coat hands lightly with cooking spray; divide dough into 2 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 9-inch log. Wrap logs individually in plastic wrap; freeze 3 hours or until firm. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut each log into 24 (1/4-inch) slices, and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Press almonds into cookies. Bake at 375 degrees for 9 minutes. Cool 2 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks.

1 cookie: calories: 49

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

3 T. poppy seeds
1 T. grated lemon zest
1/2 cup non-fat milk
1/3 cup canola oil
11/4 cups sugar, divided use
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
11/4 tsp. lemon extract
1/3 cup non-fat plain yogurt
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
21/4 cups all-purpose flour
11/8 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 egg whites
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

Lemon Glaze:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 T. grated lemon zest

Combine the poppy seeds, lemon zest, and milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and allow to stand for at least 1 hour. If possible, cover and refrigerate overnight for flavors to marry more completely. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Combine the oil, 1 cup of the sugar, the egg, vanilla and lemon extracts, yogurt, applesauce, and poppy seed and milk mixture in a large bowl and mix well. In another bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix well. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients and blend until smooth. Combine the egg whites and cream of tartar in a clean, non-plastic bowl and beat with an electric mixer at high speed until the egg whites are foamy. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and continue to beat on high until the mixture is stiff but not dry. Fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, being careful not to overmix. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until it springs back when touched gently in the center. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.. Combine all ingredients for the lemon glaze in a small bowl and beat until smooth. Remove the cake from the bundt pan by first gently loosening it from the sides of the pan and then turning it upside down onto a plate. Drizzle the lemon glaze over the top. To cut into 24 pieces, first cut the cake into quarters. Cut each quarter into 6 equal servings.

1/24th = 150 calories.

Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies

2 egg whites
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 C. unsweetened applesauce
2 packets Splenda
1/2 overripe banana-smashed
1 1/2 C. quick oats

Beat first three ingredients until light and creamy. Add remaining ingredients, and stir to mix well. Drop in mounds on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.

Orange Soufflé

Orange Soufflé

Cooking spray
1 T. sugar
3 T. all-purpose flour
3/4 cup 2% low-fat milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
5 large egg whites (at room temperature)
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
Dash of salt
2 T. sugar
1 tsp. powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 1-1/2-quart soufflé dish with cooking spray; sprinkle with1 T. sugar. Set aside. Place flour in a small saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Add 1/4 cup sugar and rind; stir well. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in juice; set aside. Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt at high speed of a mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 T. sugar, 1T. at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently fold one-fourth egg white mixture into orange mixture; gently fold in remaining egg white mixture. Spoon into prepared soufflé dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until puffy and set. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.

1/4 = 160 calories

Pear in Phyllo

Pear in Phyllo

4 cups water
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 T. honey
2 large ripe bartlett pears, peeled, cored, and halved
2 T. raisins
4 sheets phyllo pastry dough
1 egg white

Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Combine the water, lemon juice, vanilla, and honey in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the pear halves, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 6 to 10 minutes, or until the pears can be pierced easily with the tines of a fork. Lift the pears out of the liquid and set aside. Add the raisins and continue to cook the liquid until reduced to about 1/2 cup. Remove from the heat, cover to keep warm, and set aside to serve as the sauce. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo flat on a work surface and set 1 pear half in the center. Bring the sides straight up to form a purse or pouch. Using your fingertips, squeeze the sides together and twist slightly to seal. Repeat this process with the remaining phyllo and pears. Carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. Whip the egg white with a whisk or a fork until foamy. Brush each pear bundle with the egg white and bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. To serve, spoon 2 T. of the raisin sauce on each serving plate and set the phyllo-wrapped pear in the center of the plate.

Each wrapped pear = 130 calories.

Spa Baklava

Spa Baklava

1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup corn oil margarine
1/2 cup honey, divided use
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch ground cloves
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 pound phyllo pastry dough

Preheat the oven to 250°F. Using a food processor with a metal blade, grind the walnuts to the consistency of fine gravel and set aside. Combine the margarine and 1/4 cup of honey in a saucepan and cook over low heat until the margarine is completely melted. Add the cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Spray a 10 x 14-inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. On a slightly damp towel, place 1 layer of phyllo dough. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the entire surface with the honey mixture. Add another layer of phyllo and repeat. Sprinkle the second layer with 11/4 T. of the ground walnuts, leaving a bare edge along one end. Using the towel to help roll the phyllo, roll up (as you would a jelly roll) toward the bare edge and close neatly. Place the roll on the baking sheet. Brush it with another light layer of the honey mixture. Repeat the procedure two more times. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Watch very closely after 30 minutes because the rolls will brown suddenly. Cool on a wire rack. When the baklava is cool, warm the remaining 1/4 cup of honey and paint the honey on each roll with a pastry brush. Cut each roll diagonally into about 9 triangular-shaped pieces.

Makes 27 pieces. Each piece = 77 calories.

Meringues

Meringues

2 egg whites
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 T. Splenda

Mix cream of tartar and egg whites; whip until soft peaks form, then add cinnamon and Splenda; beat until well-blended; spoon onto baking tray (I put down parchment paper first) bake at 350 until golden brown.

To make Meringue fruit cups., instead of spooning onto baking sheet, put meringue in a gallon sized zip lock bag and gently squeeze the air out. Twist top of bag to make a pastry style bag and snip off one of the corners. Pipe cookies onto sheet – start with a small circle, then build up sides to make a little handle-less basket. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, fill C. with fruit, and enjoy.

Try other extracts in place of the Vanilla. Add a tsp. of unsweetened cocoa powder to give it a chocolate kick.

Power Biscotti

Power Biscotti

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 325. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Combine peanut butter, vanilla, eggs, and egg whites in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk; add to flour mixture, stirring just until blended. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; shape dough into a 10-inch-long roll. Place roll on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; flatten to 1-inch thickness. Bake at 325&176; for 35 minutes. Remove roll from baking sheet; cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 300. Cut roll diagonally into 18 (1/2-inch) slices. Place slices, cut sides down, on baking sheet. Bake at 300&176; for 20 minutes. Turn cookies over; bake an additional 20 minutes (cookies will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool). Remove from baking sheet; cool completely on a wire rack.

Yield: 1-1/2 dozen
Serving size: 1 cookie

Calories: 122
Fat: 3.1 g
Fiber: 0.5 g

Rice Pudding & Pears

Rice Pudding & Pears

3/4 C. Arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
2 C. water
2 large firm but ripe Anjou pears, peeled, cored, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1/4 C. fresh lemon juice
4 T. sugar
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Combine rice and 2 C. water in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 18 minutes. Drain if necessary. Let cool slightly. Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine pears, lemon juice, 3 T. sugar and peel in large bowl; toss to blend. Stir in rice. Transfer mixture to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with nutmeg and 1 T. sugar. Bake until heated through, about 15 minutes. Spoon warm pudding into bowls.

Soft Spice Biscotti

Soft Spice Biscotti

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
2 tsp. water
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375°.Combine first 9 ingredients in a large bowl; beat at low speed of a mixer for 1 minute. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating until well-blended (dough will be soft). Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; shape dough into 3 (6 x 4-inch) rectangles. Place rectangles on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; flatten to 3/4-inch thickness. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes. Remove rectangles from baking sheet; cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Cut each rectangle diagonally into (3/4-inch) slices.

Yield: 2 dozen
Serving Size: 1 Cookie

Calories: 98
Fat: 3 g
Fiber: 0.4 g

Snappy Almond Stars

Snappy Almond Stars

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup light butter
1 T. cold water
1 cup plus 2 T. all-purpose flour
2 T. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat sugar and butter at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 5 minutes). Add water; beat well. Combine the flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Add to sugar mixture; beat until well-blended. Gently press dough into a 4-inch disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze 30 minutes. Remove plastic wrap. Roll to a 1/16-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; cut with a 2-inch star cutter. The thinner you roll, the crispier the cookie. Place the cookies on a baking sheet; top with almonds. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes or until cookies are crisp and edges are browned. Cool 30 seconds on pan. Remove from pan; cool on wire racks.

1 cookie calories: 25

Meringues with Raspberry Sauce

Meringues with Raspberry Sauce

2 C. Raspberries (reserve 1/2 C. for Garnish)
1/3 C. Granulated Sugar, divided
2 tsp. Lemon Juice
2 C. Water
2 Egg Whites, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla, almond, or maple extract
Mint sprigs for garnish

In work bowl of food processor combine raspberries until pureed. Set sieve over small bowl and press puree through. Stir in 2 tsp sugar and lemon juice; set aside. Heat ater in nonstick skillet until barely simmering. Using electric mixer on medium speed beat eggs whites until frothy in a medium mixing bowl. Gradually add remaining sugar and extract and beat until stiff, not dry. Using a pastry bag, pipe the beaten egg whites on to a plate, forming a ring about 2 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer ring into simmering water with a pancake turner. Repeat 7 more times. Cook meringues 10 minutes, then turn them over and cook 10 minutes longer. Dry on a wire rack covered with a paper towel. To serve place 2 meringues on a pool of raspberry sauce. Top with reserved raspberries and sprigs of mint.

Chocolate Marble Cheesecake

Chocolate Marble Cheesecake

1 1/2 C. fine chocolate wafer or chocolate graham cracker crumbs (pulse a little at a time in a blender or food processor – use sugar-free cookies)
2 T. apricot jam, melted
1 C. fat-free cottage cheese
4 egg whites
1 C. Yogurt Cheese
8 oz. light cream cheese
3/4 C. plus 2 T. sugar (experiment with Splenda)
1 T. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. almond extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch spring form pan with no-stick spray; set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the crumbs and melted jam until well combined. Using your fingers, lightly press the crumbs in the bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Set the crust aside. Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees. In a clean, dry blender or food processor, blend or process the cottage cheese until creamy and almost smooth. Add the egg whites, then blend or process just until smooth. Add the yogurt cheese, cream cheese, 3/4 C. sugar, flour and vanilla. Blend or process until smooth. Transfer half of the filling to a bowl; stir in the cocoa, remaining 2 T. sugar and almond extract until well combined. Pour half of each batter mixture into the crust. Then repeat pouring the remaining half of each batter into the crust. Using a small metal spatula, gently swirl the two batters. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Loosen the crust from the sides of the pan. Then cool for 30 minutes more. Remove the sides from the pan. Cool the cheesecake completely. Chill it at least 4 hours before serving. If desired, garnish it with additional fine chocolate wafer crumbs.

Lemon Meringue Cookies

Lemon Meringue Cookies

2 large egg whites (room temperature)
1/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar
Several Packages Splenda
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. Lemon Extract

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment and set aside. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in small bowl at high electric-mixer speed until frothy. With mixer still at high speed, add Splenda gradually and continue beating until meringue peaks stiffly (about 4 minutes). Beat in vanilla and lemon extracts, then by hand fold in lemon zest. Drop meringue from rounded tsp. onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Set in oven, immediately turn oven off, and let cookies remain in the oven for 2 hours to overnight. Peel meringue off parchment and store in airtight container.

Chocolate Mint Cake

Chocolate Mint Cake

1 C. unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 C. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
pinch salt
2 T. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 C. low-fat (1 percent) milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. mint extract
1 T. instant coffee mixed with 2 T. water
1/4 pound dried prunes, rehydrated and pureed
1/2 ounce semisweet chocolate, melted
2 egg whites
2 T. non-fat chocolate fudge sauce
powdered sugar for garnish

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Spray a 10-inch cake pan with non-stick cooking spray and lightly dust with flour. Sift together all the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl mix the applesauce, milk, vanilla and mint extracts, coffee, prunes, and chocolate. Add to the dry ingredients and mix well. Beat the egg whites in a small, non-plastic bowl until stiff. Fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and cool on a rack. When the cake is cool, spread the top with the non-fat chocolate sauce. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar just before serving. The easiest way to cut this cake into 12 equal servings is to first cut it into quarters. Cut each quarter of the cake into 3 equal wedges.

1/12th = 125 calories.

Peach Crisp

Peach Crisp

4 soft peaches
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
3 pkg. Splenda
1/4 C. Oatmeal
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract + 2 tsp. water

Take peaches and cut them up, sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and Splenda. Scatter the oatmeal over the top. Pour the vanilla extract and water mixture evenly over everything. Cover and bake at 350 until the peaches are tender; uncover and cook a few minutes more to let the oatmeal get crunchy.

Healthy Soft Serve 

Healthy Soft Serve 

Healthy Soft Serve

 

2 whole banana, frozen

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/3 cup raspberry, frozen

 

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Serve immediately.

 

Cherry-Vanilla: Swap the raspberries for cherries and the lemon juice for 1/2 vanilla bean

Blueberry-Ginger: Swap the raspberries for blueberries, halve the lemon juice, and add 1/4 teaspoon grated ginger root

Strawberry-Banana: Lose the lemon juice and swap the raspberries for diced strawberries

Cinnamon-Raisin: Use 3 bananas, swap the raspberries for 1/8 cup raisins, and swap the lemon juice for 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Chocolate: Leave out the raspberries and lemon juice and add 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa or carob powder

Chocolate-Mint: Same as chocolate above, but add 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint as well

Cinnamon Pears

Cinnamon Pears

3 Pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/2 C. Water
2 T. Cinnamon Red Hots

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10-15 minutes, or until pears are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, transfer to small bowl, cover and refrigerate until cool before serving.

Creamy Yogurt Cheese Brownies

Creamy Yogurt Cheese Brownies

3/4 C. whole wheat flour
1/4 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
¹/8 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 C. chopped walnuts
2/3 C. Yogurt Cheese
2 T. canola oil
1/4 C. maple syrup
1/4 C. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 3500F. Oil an 8-inch-square baking pan. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nuts in a bowl. Mix well. Combine the Yogurt Cheese, oil, maple syrup, honey and vanilla in a separate bowl. Beat until smooth. Stir the Yogurt Cheese mixture into the flour mixture until they are completely blended and no dry spots remain. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the brownies are still slightly soft in the center but a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before cutting.

Yield: 8 Servings
Serving SIze: 2″ Brownie

Calories: 197
Fat: 9g

Baked Cinnamon Bananas

Baked Cinnamon Bananas

4 bananas
1/2 C. apple juice
2 packets Splenda
Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. coconut flavoring

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Slice the bananas in halves long ways. Layer them on the bottom of a baking dish. Combine the apple juice, Splenda, and coconut flavoring. Pour this mixture evenly over all of the bananas. Sprinkle cinnamon over each banana. Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. or until the sauce is bubbling and the bananas are starting to turn brown, basting at least once.

Creamy Yogurt Cheese Frosting

Creamy Yogurt Cheese Frosting

1/3 C. apple juice concentrate, unsweetened, frozen, thawed
1 packet unflavored gelatin
1 C. Yogurt Cheese, plain, nonfat
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Put 2 T. of the apple juice concentrate and the gelatin in a small saucepan. Let stand for 2 minutes, then bring to a boil over high heat , stirring to make sure all the gelatin has dissolved. Remove from the heat. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt cheese, vanilla, and the remaining apple juice concentrate with an electric mixer set at low speed. Beat in the gelatin mixture at medium speed. Cover and refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes, until thick and spreadable.

Almond Cinnamon Clouds

Almond Cinnamon Clouds

4 large egg whites at room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
3/4 C. Splenda
1 T. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 C. slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or baking paper. In medium bowl, combine egg whites with cream of tartar, beat with electric mixer till soft peaks form. In separate bowl, blend sweetener and cinnamon. Fold into egg whites the sweetener mix, and add extracts. Then gently fold in nuts. Drop in large spoonfuls (soup spoon size) onto prepared pan, about an inch apart. Bake for 20 minutes or so until dry. Can turn off oven and leave cookies in oven to dry fully (or not). Store in airtight containers to retain crispness (up to a week). Makes about 33 large cookies.

Fat Free Chocolate Cake

Fat Free Chocolate Cake

Beat Together & Set Aside:

6 egg whites
1 1/2 C. nonfat yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla

Sift Together:

1 1/2 C. sifted flour
8 heaping T. Dutch Cocoa
1 1/2 C. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Pour into 10″ pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in oven pre-heated to 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Cool in pan on rack and remove when completely cool.

Lemon Cheesecake

Lemon Cheesecake

2 C. nonfat yogurt cheese
7 T. sugar (or to taste)
1 T. cornstarch
4 egg whites, lightly beaten (or 1 egg and 2 whites)
1 lemon, juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel, or 1/4 tsp. lemon extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 7-inch springform or 8-inch piepan. Combine yogurt cheese, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and vanilla, mixing gently with a fork or wire whisk until well bended. Stir in the eggs. Pour into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake until the center is set, 20 to 25 minutes (piepan) or 55 minutes (springform). Cool slightly and refrigerate, uncovered, for 24 hours.

Yield: 8 Servings
Serving Size 1 slice

Calories: 100
Fat: less than 1g
Fiber: 0g