Mmmm, your first bite of freshly baked, warm apple pie. Or what about the butter-brown sugariness of apple crisp? Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is!
Such satisfying tastes, yet so loaded with calories and fat. When eating healthier, the trick is to replicate the delish of those decadent dishes we’ve grown to love in a less calorie-packed way.
Try these extra-tasty recipes to lighten up on your favorite apple desserts:
1. Caramel Apples-Instead of dousing the entire apple with caramel and adding 500 calories, drizzle a little caramel over sliced apples. Better yet, mix the caramel topping with yogurt for added creaminess.
2. Ginger Cake with Caramel Apple Topping-A moist, gingery cake with apples baked inside and out (along with a little caramel topping) is spot on for a tasty, low-in-sat-fat mid-morning or afternoon snack.
3. Baked Apples with a sensational rum-caramel sauce. Yummy! Cut the baking time by using a microwave. Serve with reduced-calorie ice cream or frozen yogurt. 210 calories- not bad for a homemade dessert!
4. Creamy Apple-Cinnamon Quesadillas-An after-school snack you can feel good about. And it’s so easy, kids will want to make it! Serve on a whole-wheat tortilla.
5. Smoothies. Blend fruit and veggies together! You’ll love whirling up these latest flavors.
6. Love apples or applesauce with pancakes? Make
griddle cakes, seasoned with apple pie spice and cinnamon. They’re high in fiber and calcium, a perfect way to start the day!
7. An
apple pie pita is the perfect sub for a whole apple pie. Plus, you won’t be any leftovers to tempt you.
8. Healthify your
apple crisp. It’s easy, just trim back a bit on the oats, brown sugar and butter you love. The bright side…you get more cooked apple-cinnamon flavor!
9. Flaxseed Morning Glory Muffins- Tame those mid-day hunger pangs with an easy whip-together apple snack that’s high in calcium and iron, nutrients everyone needs.
10. Easy French Apple Dessert Squares- It’s like an apple-custard pie, served in 200 calorie squares! A little splurge without a lot of guilt!