Easy Healthy Desserts

The idea of giving up desserts can be the most discouraging aspect of having to maintain a certain diet. But even if you don't have any dietary restrictions, fat and sugar laden dessert recipes aren't doing your health any good. Thus, if you've decided to jump onto the health train, these quick easy healthy desserts are the perfect food for the ride. The best part is that by substituting a few ingredients with healthier options, you can feast on your favorite desserts, guilt free!

Healthy Lemon Pudding Cake

Ingredients:

• Canola cooking spray.
• Powdered sugar.
• 2 tablespoons of butter or no-fat/low trans-fat margarine.
• 1 ¼ cups low-fat milk.
• 6 tablespoons Splenda.
• ½ cup unbleached flour.
• Zest from one lemon, finely chopped.
• 6 tablespoons super fine granulated sugar.
• 1/3 cup lemon juice.
• 2 large eggs.

Preparation

You will need a 9-inch, or similar sized pie dish to bake the cake in. Grease the dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350°F. Use a large mixing bowl to cream the butter with an electric mixer. Gradually add the Splenda and sugar and continue to blend. Break open the eggs and separate the yolks from the whites, using an egg separator. For now, use the yolks, adding them to butter mixture one by one. Once you have a smooth paste, add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Gradually pour in the milk, and continue to stir to achieve a thin batter.

Now take the separated egg whites, and whisk them until they are stiff, using an electric mixer if required. Now ease the egg whites into the lemon mixture and pour the batter into the prepared pie plate. Carefully position the pie tray into the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes at the same temperature. Once the cake is baked, take it out of the oven, and allow it to cool. This easy healthy dessert tastes great when served with fresh, sliced strawberries. You could also dust it with some powdered sugar.

Healthy Chocolate Brownies
This brownie recipe is for 24 brownies.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips.
• 16 whole chocolate, graham crackers (8 ounces).
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder.
• 2 tsp vanilla extract.
• ¼ tsp salt.
• 2 tsp instant coffee granules.
• 2 large eggs.
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar or 3 tablespoons Splenda sugar blend for baking.
• 1 large egg white.
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar or 3 tablespoons Splenda sugar blend for baking.

Preparation

The size of the baking dish you use, should be 8 by 11 ½'', or a similar size. Grease the dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 300°F. Grind the crackers into crumbs, in a food processor. If you fancy doing it the traditional way, place the crackers in a large plastic bag and beat them with a rolling pin. You will need about 2 cups of crumbs. Pour the crumbs into a mixing bowl and add the cocoa and salt and mix.

Mix the brown sugar/Splenda, egg white, eggs and granulated sugar/Splenda together in a large bowl. About 2 minutes of whirling with an electric mixer, at high speed, produces a smooth, thick batter. Gradually add in all the remaining ingredients, i.e. coffee granules, vanilla, chocolate chips and the crumb mixture. Pour the batter into the greased baking dish.
Bake the brownies for about 25 to 30 minutes, for them to be cooked by retaining a spongy quality. Take the dish out of the oven and cool before cutting. If you don't plan to consume them right away, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

These 93 calorie brownies are a treat, at any time of the day! In order to prepare easy healthy desserts, pick your favorite deserts and substitute the sugar with Splenda and the butter with a low fat option. Use low fat milk and other healthy options, whenever possible. Ensure that you use products that do not contain hydrogenated oils.