Secrets to Making Yummy (Healthy) Sweets and Desserts

Delicious and Nutritious

You don't have to give up all sweets or desserts to be healthy. The trick?

• Only eating sweets sometimes
• Make sure you don't eat too much (keep your portions in check)
• Swapping out unhealthy ingredients for healthier ones

It's easy. We've got some secret recipes for you.

Chocolaty, Whole Grain Pretzels

Craving salty, sweet, and crunchy? Melt 1 cup of dark chocolate chips for 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir. Repeat until melted. Dip one edge of whole-grain pretzels in the chocolate. Cool on wax paper.

Why it's better: Whole grains are healthier and more filling than refined or processed "white grains."

Tasty tip: Check your treat portions so you're not eating too much. One serving is about 15 small pretzels.

Better Brownies

This may sound weird, but trust us. Make yummy, moist brownies with this secret ingredient -- black beans! 

Drain a 15-ounce can of beans. Puree them in a blender with 1/4 cup water. Mix the beans with a boxed brownie mix. Don't add anything else (eggs, water, or oil) and then bake as the box directs.

Why it's better: These brownies still taste sweet but the beans cut calories and replace unhealthy saturated fats. 

Bonus: fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Fresh fruit meets a touch of chocolate. 

To make: Wash and dry the berries. Melt 1 cup of dark chocolate chips in the microwave. Dip the tip of berries in just a little chocolate. Put them on wax paper to dry. Store in the fridge.

Why it's good: Strawberries are high in fiber, minerals, and vitamin C -- which may help you fight off colds. The touch of dark chocolate has antioxidants. That can have a little sickness fighting power, too.

Cupcakes -- Make 'Em Mini

Cupcakes are awesome. But some can be too big. Use a mini muffin pan to make cute, smaller cupcakes. A mini cupcake or two is the perfect portion.

Why it's better: Sticking to a smaller portion is just as delicious but compared to a jumbo cupcake cuts calories and fat by half!

Bonus tip: Use applesauce instead of oil in your recipe. Applesauce keeps your cupcakes moist without unhealthy saturated oils and fats.

Fruit Kebabs for Dessert

Grab your favorite bite-size fruits (berries or fruit chunks). Carefully put them on wooden skewers to make kabobs.

Why it's good: Fruits are naturally sweet. Plus, they have a lot of fiber, water, and vitamins -- definitely more than you'd get from most other desserts. 

Bonus: These colorful, hand-held desserts look great on your plate.

Icing on the Cake

Making a cake or cupcakes? Top them with smooth, tasty, good-for-you icing. Mix 1 cup of plain, 2%, or 0% Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Then spread it on.

Why it is better: It's higher in protein and lower in fat and calories than regular frosting.

Tasty tip: Not an icing fan? Top cakes with berries or a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

A Perfect Pink Smoothie

To make this sweet smooth drink, pop frozen strawberries, raspberries, and a banana in the blender. If your fruit isn't frozen, add a little crushed ice. Blend.

Why it's better: Smoothies have less sugar and less unhealthy saturated fat than milkshakes. Pour in an 8-ounce glass for the perfect portion.

Tasty tip: Add a splash of low-fat milk or a spoon of low-fat plain yogurt. It's good for your bones and will make your smoothie creamier.

Make Some Muffins

Muffins can be better for you than cupcakes -- if you use a mini muffin pan and the right ingredients. Look for cranberry, carrot, zucchini, or oat bran recipes. Using boxed muffin mix? Blueberry, bran, or banana are better-for-you flavors.

No matter the recipe -- use mashed banana instead of oil. Then add 1/4 cup of quick-cooking oats for more fiber to make them more satisfying.

Healthy hint: Two to three mini muffins make a healthy portion.

Oatmeal Cookies

Not all cookie flavors are equal. Try oatmeal raisin. The raisins are sweet but have fiber and vitamins that chocolate chips don't.

Tasty tip: Keep cookies simple. Don't add chocolate and peanut butter and nuts. It adds calories.

And make your cookies small. A perfectly portioned cookie is no bigger than the size of your palm.

Chocolaty, Chocolate Chip

Have to have chocolate? Use half the chocolate chips. Then mix in a tablespoon of cocoa powder.

Why it's better: Cutting the chips in half cuts unhealthy saturated fats and sugar. Cocoa powder pumps ups the chocolate flavor.

Fruit and Yogurt

Craving  ice cream? Give smooth, tangy Greek yogurt a shot. It’s great for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.

Scoop out one cup of plain Greek yogurt. Reduced fat 2% or 0% is best. Then add your favorite berries or sliced fruit. Want a little more sweet? Try a drizzle of honey.

Why it's better: Greek yogurt has twice the muscle-building protein of regular or low-fat plain yogurt. And a lot less sugar than most flavored yogurts.

Bees' Knees Crunchy Granola

This sweet granola snack is better than a candy bar. The fruit and whole grain oats will give you nutrients and keep you satisfied longer than the added sugar in a candy bar.

Mix together:

• 8 cups quick cooking-oats
• 1 cup chopped nuts (try almonds or walnuts)
• 1 cup dried fruit (try unsweetened raisins, cherries, cranberries, or apricots)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup olive or canola oil
• 1 cup honey
• 1/4 cup flaxseeds

Put parchment paper or foil on a pan. Spread on the granola. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Carefully stir every 10 minutes.

Tasty tip: Dish out 1/4 cup servings into in small bags for the perfect-sized snack.

Why it's good: Eating reasonable portions can keep you from gaining unhealthy weight. 

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