Desserts Made With Love

There is always room for a little dessert, especially when it is filled with healthy ingredients. 

These tempting goodies will complement any meal or can be a sweet treat between meals. Involve the kids in making these delicious recipes.  

Banana Oat Cookies 

These fun cookies are filled with fiber, protein, and potassium and taste yummy without added sugars and fat. 

Ingredients:

Serves 25 

• 1 cup banana, mashed (use an overripe banana) 
• 1 cup quick oats (not instant)
• 1/2 cup yogurt, low-fat plain 
• 1/4 cup water 
• 1/2 cup raisins ( optional) 
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds ( optional) 
• spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg to taste (optional)
• cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
2. Pre-heat oven to 350ºF-375°F.
3. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
4. Mash bananas, mix with yogurt and water.
5. Add quick  oats. Mix well.
6. Add optional add-ins if you wish. 
7. Add spices (optional)
8. The batter should be thick and easily spoonable.
9. Place a tablespoon of dough on the sheet, thin out to a flat disk. Repeat with remaining dough. Refrigerate if any is remaining in bowl.
10. Bake at 350-375°F for 20 minutes or until golden. 

Notes: 

• Can add cinnamon, nutmeg or your other favorite spices. 
• Walnuts, pecans or flaxseed can be added in addition to or instead of sunflower seeds. 
• Golden raisins can be added as an option. 

 Chocolate Chip Yogurt Cookies 

This recipe is a new twist on a chocolate chip cookie that tastes just as good as the original! 

Ingredients: 

Serves 36 

• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (firmly packed) 
• 1/2 cup margarine 
• 1/2 cup yogurt (non-fat, plain) 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 
• 3/4 cup flour (all-purpose) 
• 1 cup flour (whole wheat) 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (miniature, or carob chips) 

Instructions:

1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
2. Pre-heat oven to 375º F.
3. In a large bowl combine sugar, brown sugar, and margarine; beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add yogurt and vanilla; blend well.
5. Stir in flour and baking soda; mix well.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
8. Bake at 375º F for 8 to 12 minutes or until light and golden brown.
9. Cool 1 minute, remove from cookie sheets. 

Apple Nachos 

This is a delicious combination of some favorite foods which is also fun to serve at family gatherings or a great snack any day! 

Ingredients: 

Serves 4 

• 2 apples of choice 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter 
• 1 tablespoon chocolate chips (mini-chips work great) 
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• Canola spray 
• Optional: 1 tbsp  unsweetened shredded coconut 

Instructions: 

1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
2. Scrub apples with a vegetable brush under cold running water.
3. Cut around the apple cores.
4. Cut the apple chunks into 1/4 inch slices. 
5. Cut and squeeze a lemon into a small bowl. Use a spoon to remove the lemon seeds. 
6. Place the apple slices in a large bowl with the lemon juice. 
7. Use tongs to toss and coat the apple slices in the lemon juice. 
8. Heat your peanut butter in the microwave until warmed and runny (about 20 seconds)
9. Lay your apple slices in a single layer on a large plate. Drizzle the peanut butter on the apples. 
10. Add your toppings. 

 Apple Bread Pudding

This recipe is not only a fan favorite because of it’s delicious flavor but it full of fiber and not so full of added sugar.

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• Cooking spray
• 1  whole egg
• 1  egg white
• 1 cup skim milk
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
• 6 slices whole-wheat bread
• 3 medium apples
• 1/4  cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds (optional)

Instructions:

Buttermilk Scones 

This is a traditional food in England and is something different to try for a less sweet treat. Scones are great with this Herbal Tea recipe. 

Ingredients: 

Serves 9 

• 1 cup whole-wheat flour 
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/3 cup sugar 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup raisins 
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted 
• 2/3 cup buttermilk 

Instructions: 

1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. 
2. Preheat oven to 400ºF. 
3.  Combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well. 
4.  Add raisins and mix lightly. 
5.  In a small bowl, combine melted butter and buttermilk.
6. Add liquid ingredients to flour mixture; mix gently. 
7.  Spoon dough into 9 equal mounds on a greased baking sheet.
8. Bake until well browned, 18-20 minutes. 
9. Serve hot or at room temperature. Best eaten the same day you bake them. 

Notes: 

• Substitute vegetable oil for the butter to reduce saturated fat. 
• Try other dried fruit. 
• Sprinkle with cinnamon before baking. 
• Try mixing in 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon or orange zest (grate the outer colored part of the peel). 
• No buttermilk? Place 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in measuring cup and fill to the 1 cup line with milk. Stir and let set to thicken slightly. 
• Whole-wheat flour can be replaced with all-purpose flour. 

Simple Custard

This creamy custard can be enjoyed by itself, with fruit, or with some of the delicious cookies recipes.

Ingredients:

Serves 4

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup skim milk (or reconstituted non-fat dry milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla ( optional)

Instructions:

Stovetop version:

1. Beat egg and sugar together in a saucepan.
2. Add milk.
3. Place saucepan with egg/milk mixture in another pan containing 1-2 inches boiling water.
4. Stir custard constantly while cooking. Cook until foam disappears and custard coats the spoon. Remove from heat.
5. Add flavoring and stir. Pour into individual dishes and cool in the refrigerator. Custard will be soft.

Baked version:

1. Beat together egg and sugar in a baking dish.
2. Add milk and flavorings. Mix thoroughly.
3. Set baking dish in a shallow pan of hot water.
4. Bake at 350 degrees until the tip of a knife inserted in the center of the custard comes out clean (50-60 minutes). Do not overcook. Eat warm or refrigerate for later.

Notes:

An additional egg can be added during step #1.

We hope you enjoy these healthy and tasty versions of some of our favorite sweets. Make sure you also try these dessert recipes. Mixed Fruit Crisp, Frozen Banana Splits, Whole Wheat Berry Buckle, and Chocolate Zucchini Mug Cake. 

Written by Leslie Davis, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES | edited by the Nutrition Education Team 

Recipe Source: USDA MyPlate