I love sweets. The problem is, I don't like the unhealthiness that comes with most sweets (ex: 1 slice of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory = almost a day's worth of calories for a typical healthy diet). Because of this, and because I love baking, I spend a lot of time finding and making healthier dessert recipes, and they usually turn out pretty well! Here are some of my favorites. I've included the calories per serving (based on inputting them on myfitnesspal) and the changes I made.
1. Sweet Potato Breakfast Brownies:
Calories per serving: 337
Substitute the almond butter for PB2 and that brings the calories per serving down to 193. However, because PB2 doesn't contain the same fats regular nut butters do, the brownies will turn out much fudgier, and a toothpick won't come out clean while they're in the oven. I pulled them out after 25 minutes and they held up well once cool.
In my opinion and based on many reviews (from my family who just had these for breakfast this morning) they are delicious, filling, don't taste like sweet potato, and are even better as a dessert than a breakfast. Okay, that last part was based on what my family said. Any time of day is dessert time!
2. Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites:
Calories per serving: 339
I used maple syrup because I don't own brown rice syrup, which only brought it down to 336 calories per serving.
These are a sweet and much cleaner alternative to Mounds candy bars, an are absolutely delicious when eaten frozen.
3. Oatmeal Cookie Mug Cake
Calories per serving: 246
I used brown sugar and all-purpose flour instead of coconut palm sugar and coconut flour, and it ended up being 211 calories.
I eat this when it's late and for some reason, I'm still awake and craving sweets. It takes minimal effort, and there's minimal cleaning.
4. Dark Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Banana Bites
(assuming 4 servings)
The website doesn't provide a suggested serving size, but my sisters and I usually divide it between the four of us. Based on that, total calories per serving: 355
Using PB2 instead of peanut butter: 282 calories
I LOVE these so much! They're a great snack and a great dessert, and the PB2 makes no difference in consistency, only in calorie count.
5. Strawberry Dark Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark
(Assuming 4 servings)
Again, no serving size was provided, so I stuck to four servings again. Using nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt: 184 calories per serving
Using plain nonfat Greek yogurt: 159 calories
This is a summer-perfect recipe! It's fresh, sweet, and a good way to cool down.
6. Double Chocolate Banana Cake
Calories per serving: 244
No changes were made to this recipe because it uses normal ingredients I actually own.
This is delicious! I make it into mini cupcakes because I love the little bites, and refrigerate because I love when they're firmer and cold.
7. Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Calories per cookie: 162 (if you make 20 cookies)
If you use PB2: 104 calories. I haven't made this recipe with PB2 yet, but the consistency will most likely change and they might not solidify as well.
These are a delicious and satisfying treat, and I love making them, though they don't last long in my house.
Give these recipes a try, find your own substitutions, and let me know how it worked out! I'm always up for finding ways to make these sweet treats even less guilty.
