Skinny desserts: Delicious sweets that won’t ruin your diet

Chocolate Cranberry Biscotti

Makes 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 egg whites
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon almond extract
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5-ounces dried cranberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine both flours with cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Beat egg whites with egg yolk, almond extract, and sugar until combined; gradually beat flour mixture into egg mixture until combined, dough should be fairly firm.
4. Mix cranberries into batter and turn out onto a floured surface; knead dough and cut in half; roll each piece into a log and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake about 20 minutes, or until browned; let cool and then slice into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place cookies back on baking sheet and bake 10 minutes then flip and bake another 10 minutes, or until both sides are golden; let cool before storing.

Banana Cream Pudding

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups low fat milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ripe bananas, sliced

Directions

1. Combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, and milk in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until mixture becomes thick.
2. Stir in vanilla and continue to cook a few more minutes, do not let mixture boil.
3. Divide banana slices into individual pudding bowls and pour pudding mixture over the bananas; chill until firm.

Peanut Butter Brownies

Makes 16 brownies

Ingredients

• 8-ounces unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup low fat milk
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Beat applesauce, butter, milk, egg white, and sugar until well combined.
3. Combine both flours with cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; gradually beat dry mixture into wet mixture until batter is well combined.
4. Stir peanut butter into batter and spoon batter into prepared pan; bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let brownies cool before slicing into bite-size pieces.

More healthy dessert and snack rescipes

White chocolate cherry almond cookies
Healthy muffin recipes
Guide to healthy snacking