The only diet that has ever worked for me is a low-fat diet. Keto diet lovers can feel free to click out of this post. I did keto for a while because it was easy for me to stick to since I love meat and cheese. However, having a physical 8 months after, I found out I was in the worst health I had ever been but that's a whole other post. These desserts are low in calories and fat without compromising flavor and decadence. I eat one off of this list at least 5 times a week and am still building muscle and losing weight.
1. Iced Whole Wheat Sugar Cookies
(Photo credit: Jennifer Causey/Cooking Light)
Using whole-wheat flour doesn't mean your desserts will come out bland. Whole grain flour intensifies the flavors of vanilla and butter more than all-purpose flour can. These cookies are only 84 calories and 4 grams of fat per serving.
Ingredients (cookies):
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
10 tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 oz. 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Ingredients (icing):
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. grated lemon rind
2 tbsp. plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
Naturally colored sparkling sugar (optional)
How To Make It:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk the salt, flour, and baking powder until combined.
2. Beat the sugar, butter, and cream cheese with an electric mixer in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the egg and beat until blended. Add the vanilla and reduce the speed to low. Slowly add the butter and flour mixture until combined.
3. Flatten the dough and wrap it in saran wrap and let chill for one hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out about 30 cookies, rerolling scraps as necessary.
5. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lay the cookies 1-inch apart and bake for 12 minutes.
6. For the icing, whisk the yogurt, grated lemon rind, and powdered sugar. Drizzle over the cookies and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
2. Cheesecake Sandwiches
(Photo credit: Caroline Cunningham)
These cheesecake sandwiches from
Cooking Light are not only filling, but crazy easy to make. They make great elevated finger foods for a brunch or dinner party as well. Each cookie has only 114 calories and less than 5 grams of fat.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind
2 oz. 1/3-less fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup raspberries
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
8 chocolate wafers
How To Make It:
1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the grated lemon rind, 1 tablespoon sugar, and softened cream cheese.
2. Add the raspberries, lemon juice, and 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar.
3. Mash together and then carefully spread the cream mixture over 4 chocolate wafers. Top with berries and 4 more wafers.
3. Marshmallow Popcorn Treats With Dark Chocolate Drizzle
(Photo credit: Jason Varney)This is for those who love a salty-sweet treat. Make these for gifts, the kids, or satisfying snacks on the go! Each serving is 124 calories and only 2.5 grams of fat.
Ingredients:
1 10oz. package mini marshmallows
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
12 tsp. salt
10 cups butter-free and oil-free popcorn
1 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
How To Make It:
1. Spray a square baking dish with cooking spray. Next, line the dish with parchment paper and spray it with more cooking spray, remove the paper, and set aside.
2. Using a dutch oven, combine the salt, butter, and marshmallows and cook over medium heat, cooking until melted and smooth constantly stirring.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the popcorn. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and press it with the coated parchment paper.
4. Place the chopped chocolate pieces in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. With a spoon, drizzle over the popcorn mixture. Let refrigerate for 5 minutes. Lift the mixture from the pan and cut into bars.
4. Low-Fat Fudge Brownies
(Photo credit: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell)
Especially when I'm dieting, my cravings for chocolate are intense.
These brownies do the trick and are so rich I'm satisfied after one. They are 120 calories with 4 grams of fat.
Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp. hot water
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tsp. instant coffee granules
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. powdered sugar (optional)
How To Make It:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer at high speed until thick. In a separate bowl, combine the coffee granules and hot water, stirring until dissolved.
3. Add the butter, vanilla extract, sugar mixture, and coffee mixture and beat at low speed until mixed thoroughly.
4. Combine flour, salt, cocoa, and mix together with a whisk. Slowly add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and stir until thick.
5. Spread the batter into a square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the brownies spring back when touched gently in the center. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top if you wish.
These next two desserts are my favorites for when I'm super busy and don't have time to bake. They're so convenient and ready to go when I'm ready to go.
Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches
Only 160 calories and 3 grams of fat per sandwich.
Fat Free/Sugar Free Jello Pudding With Whip Cream
Talk about guiltless. Takes less than 10 minutes to make including setting time. Only 30 calories per serving and 0 fat. I make them I'm little round Tupperware cups and spray whip cream on top.
great post. thanks for sharing
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