Coming up with the Best Guilt-Free Dessert

Through time, some of the best-loved desserts have remained the same: chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, pumpkin pie and a host of other favorites. Because of this, the search for the best guilt-free dessert does not necessarily lead to new creations; it can take us to new versions of classic sweets.

Today there is greater awareness of the connection between what people eat and the condition of their bodies. There is a significant push to encourage people to develop better eating habits and this effort has spread to the area of desserts. The two recipes made available here are products of the effort to have healthier desserts without sacrificing taste. Do try them and see which one will help you come up with the best guilt-free dessert for you.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

If a popularity contest were held among sweets and cookies, chocolate chip cookies would probably be on top of the list. Here is a recipe you can try and enhance so you can arrive at your own best guilt-free dessert.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup butter-flavored margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup artificial sweetener mixed well with 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• 1/4 cup artificial sweetener
• 1 package instant fat free and sugar free vanilla pudding
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Sift together flour and baking soda, set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine, the sweetener and maple syrup mix, and the artificial sweetener.
4. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended then stir in the eggs and vanilla.
5. Blend in the flour mixture.
6. Mix the chocolate chips and nuts.
7. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto sheets line with parchment paper.
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes till edges are golden brown.

Banana Cream Pie

Banana cream pie is usually sinfully rich but this version is a lighter and healthier alternative. This is certainly good news for those who love this dessert. Do try this recipe and add your own personal touches. See if it is too sweet or not sweet enough and try adding a dash of cinnamon or nuts in the crust. You may want to use a low calorie Graham cracker crust instead of the regular pie crust. You can make a lot of changes to make sure the dessert is enjoyed to the fullest in your table.

Ingredients:

• 1 (9 inch) deep dish pie crust, baked and cooled
• 1/3 cup artificial sweetener
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups low fat milk
• 4 egg yolks, beaten
• 3 tablespoons butter flavored margarine
• 1 large banana, sliced
• 4 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch and salt then stir in milk and egg yolks. Whisk all these ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
3. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter flavored margarine and vanilla.
4. Pour half of custard into baked pie shell. Arrange sliced banana over the custard then spread remaining custard over banana layer.
5. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add white sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over pie, making sure the edges are covered.
6. Bake in at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool completely before serving.