ClosePhoto: Brie PassanoGrab your baking dish and make these healthy dessert recipes. From cakes to fruit bars to brownies, these desserts are fun, delicious and the perfect sweet treat. Recipes like Lemon-Blueberry Dump Cake and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are tasty and can be presented in the 9x13 baking dish, which means less dishes to wash.01of 25Lemon-Blueberry Dump CakeView RecipeBrie PassanoGot an extra box of vanilla cake mix? Use it to make this easy blueberry-lemon dump cake! A layer of blueberries bakes with lemon-infused cake on top. With only 10 minutes of active time, this cake is perfect for busy nights or casual get-togethers.02of 25Strawberry Poke CakeView RecipeWhat makes this poke cake so special? After this lightened-up cake is baked and cooled, it’s poked with holes (hence the name!) that are filled with fresh pureed strawberries thickened with gelatin to prevent the cake from getting soggy. The end result? Sweet strawberry flavor inside and out!03of 25Chocolate Chip Oatmeal BarsView RecipeFull of oats, chocolate chips and chia seeds, these oatmeal bars are perfect for an on-the-go snack.04of 25Tres Leches CakeView RecipeTranslating to three milks cake, Tres Leches Cake is a traditional Mexican sponge cake that’s soaked in, you guessed it, three kinds of milk, for the ultimate moist, decadent cake. Think of it as a poke cake that we’ve lightened up with this easy recipe.05of 25Strawberry Crumble BarsView RecipeTara DonneAfter you haul all your fruit home from the orchard or farm, bake a batch of these bars. Change up the fruit with the seasons—peaches come summertime or apples in the fall.06of 25Coconut-Butter Mochi Cake with Lime CurdView RecipeMochi (made from glutinous sweet rice flour) is a Japanese, pillow-like dough that appears in all kinds of confections. In Hawaii it’s made into this simple, rich cake with the addition of eggs. We love it with this zesty lime curd topping for an extra-special dessert. Recipe adapted from Chef Greg Harrison, Pacific’O Restaurant.07of 25No-Bake Cherry CheesecakeView RecipeThis no-bake cherry cheesecake is an easy summertime treat. This no-bake cheesecake recipe has omega-3-rich walnuts in the graham cracker crust and uses nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese in the filling to keep saturated fat in check. If you want a bright red topping, use sour cherries. Sweet cherries give it a more purple hue. To make gluten-free no-bake cherry cheesecake, use gluten-free graham crackers.08of 25Double Chocolate BrowniesView RecipeApplesauce is the secret ingredient that keeps these yummy chocolate brownies dense and chewy even without all the butter you would expect to find. We’ve used whole-wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients and loaded the brownies with plenty of chocolate chips to keep them rich and satisfying. You won’t even miss the 20 grams of fat we’ve lost in the makeover.09of 25Quadradinhos de Laranja (Little Squares of Orange)View RecipePenny De Los SantosOrange lovers rejoice! This cake—one of the traditional yellow-hued sweets of Lisbon—is packed with sunny flavor thanks to loads of zest plus it’s drenched with orange syrup after coming out of the oven. Tightly wrap any leftovers with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. We added a touch of whole-wheat flour to help balance the sweetness. This recipe is part of Brooke Siem’s Grandmother Project. Learn more about this recipe and other recipes Siem learned to make in the articleHow Cooking Connected One Chef with Grandmothers Across the World.10of 25Cinnamon Streusel Fresh Apple BarsView RecipeThese sweet, cinnamon-flavored apple bars are the perfect accompaniment for your afternoon cup of coffee or tea.11of 25Coconut-Almond Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain coconut-almond blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.12of 25Easy Peach Cobbler Dump CakeView RecipeThis peach dump cake serves up a fluffy, tender vanilla cake that’s studded with juicy, sweet peaches. This peach cake is so simple it’s sure to become a favorite summertime dessert. Using a box of organic cake mix makes the recipe prep even easier.13of 25Pecan-Chocolate Chip Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain chocolate chip blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.14of 25No-Bake Berry Cheesecake BarsView RecipeAs if no-bake weren’t tempting enough, consider that the graham cracker crust for these berry cheesecake bars has pecans in it. Ooh la la! In the filling, nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese cut the calories and saturated fat.15of 25Carrot CakeView RecipeCarrots give carrot cake a health-halo effect–people think it’s health food, but it’s usually very high in fat and calories. But our version has about 40 percent less calories and 50 percent less fat than most. First, we use less oil in our batter. Then we skip the butter in the frosting (don’t worry, it’s still light and smooth). To ensure the cake is moist, we add nonfat buttermilk and crushed pineapple.16of 25Strawberry-Rhubarb Fruit BarsView RecipeStrawberry and rhubarb are a classic combination–try them in these easy-to-make fruit bars.17of 25Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake with Streusel ToppingView RecipeA dump cake recipe is exactly what it sounds like–you simply dump all of the ingredients into a pan and bake. There isn’t a step where you stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture; instead, it goes into the baking pan in three stages and the result is a pudding-like cake with a streusel-like topping. The two parts together are delicious (and you’d be hard-pressed to find an easier fall dessert)!18of 25PB & J Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain peanut butter and jam blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.19of 25Tomato-Peach CobblerView RecipeTomatoes may seem like an odd dessert ingredient, but their tangy flavor lends a pleasant balance to the sweet peaches in this healthy dessert recipe. To make individual cobblers, divide the filling and crust among twelve 8- to 10-ounce ovenproof dishes; bake until golden, about 50 minutes.20of 25Cranberry Cheesecake BarsView RecipeA great dessert option for your next holiday party, these sweet cheesecake bars have an oat crust and a cranberry-orange sauce that’s swirled on top and baked right in.21of 25Hazelnut-Espresso Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain hazelnut-espresso blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.22of 25Dried-Fruit BarsView RecipeMake a batch of these easy homemade dried-fruit bars to tuck into your kid’s lunchbox all week.23of 25Salted Caramel Pretzel-Oat BarsView RecipeThe addition of pumpkin seeds, oats and dried apricots takes this salted pretzel snack bar recipe to new heights.24of 25Pretzel & White Chocolate Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain pretzel-and-white-chocolate blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.25of 25Cranberry Crumble BarsView RecipeThese cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
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Photo: Brie Passano
Grab your baking dish and make these healthy dessert recipes. From cakes to fruit bars to brownies, these desserts are fun, delicious and the perfect sweet treat. Recipes like Lemon-Blueberry Dump Cake and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are tasty and can be presented in the 9x13 baking dish, which means less dishes to wash.01of 25Lemon-Blueberry Dump CakeView RecipeBrie PassanoGot an extra box of vanilla cake mix? Use it to make this easy blueberry-lemon dump cake! A layer of blueberries bakes with lemon-infused cake on top. With only 10 minutes of active time, this cake is perfect for busy nights or casual get-togethers.02of 25Strawberry Poke CakeView RecipeWhat makes this poke cake so special? After this lightened-up cake is baked and cooled, it’s poked with holes (hence the name!) that are filled with fresh pureed strawberries thickened with gelatin to prevent the cake from getting soggy. The end result? Sweet strawberry flavor inside and out!03of 25Chocolate Chip Oatmeal BarsView RecipeFull of oats, chocolate chips and chia seeds, these oatmeal bars are perfect for an on-the-go snack.04of 25Tres Leches CakeView RecipeTranslating to three milks cake, Tres Leches Cake is a traditional Mexican sponge cake that’s soaked in, you guessed it, three kinds of milk, for the ultimate moist, decadent cake. Think of it as a poke cake that we’ve lightened up with this easy recipe.05of 25Strawberry Crumble BarsView RecipeTara DonneAfter you haul all your fruit home from the orchard or farm, bake a batch of these bars. Change up the fruit with the seasons—peaches come summertime or apples in the fall.06of 25Coconut-Butter Mochi Cake with Lime CurdView RecipeMochi (made from glutinous sweet rice flour) is a Japanese, pillow-like dough that appears in all kinds of confections. In Hawaii it’s made into this simple, rich cake with the addition of eggs. We love it with this zesty lime curd topping for an extra-special dessert. Recipe adapted from Chef Greg Harrison, Pacific’O Restaurant.07of 25No-Bake Cherry CheesecakeView RecipeThis no-bake cherry cheesecake is an easy summertime treat. This no-bake cheesecake recipe has omega-3-rich walnuts in the graham cracker crust and uses nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese in the filling to keep saturated fat in check. If you want a bright red topping, use sour cherries. Sweet cherries give it a more purple hue. To make gluten-free no-bake cherry cheesecake, use gluten-free graham crackers.08of 25Double Chocolate BrowniesView RecipeApplesauce is the secret ingredient that keeps these yummy chocolate brownies dense and chewy even without all the butter you would expect to find. We’ve used whole-wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients and loaded the brownies with plenty of chocolate chips to keep them rich and satisfying. You won’t even miss the 20 grams of fat we’ve lost in the makeover.09of 25Quadradinhos de Laranja (Little Squares of Orange)View RecipePenny De Los SantosOrange lovers rejoice! This cake—one of the traditional yellow-hued sweets of Lisbon—is packed with sunny flavor thanks to loads of zest plus it’s drenched with orange syrup after coming out of the oven. Tightly wrap any leftovers with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. We added a touch of whole-wheat flour to help balance the sweetness. This recipe is part of Brooke Siem’s Grandmother Project. Learn more about this recipe and other recipes Siem learned to make in the articleHow Cooking Connected One Chef with Grandmothers Across the World.10of 25Cinnamon Streusel Fresh Apple BarsView RecipeThese sweet, cinnamon-flavored apple bars are the perfect accompaniment for your afternoon cup of coffee or tea.11of 25Coconut-Almond Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain coconut-almond blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.12of 25Easy Peach Cobbler Dump CakeView RecipeThis peach dump cake serves up a fluffy, tender vanilla cake that’s studded with juicy, sweet peaches. This peach cake is so simple it’s sure to become a favorite summertime dessert. Using a box of organic cake mix makes the recipe prep even easier.13of 25Pecan-Chocolate Chip Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain chocolate chip blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.14of 25No-Bake Berry Cheesecake BarsView RecipeAs if no-bake weren’t tempting enough, consider that the graham cracker crust for these berry cheesecake bars has pecans in it. Ooh la la! In the filling, nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese cut the calories and saturated fat.15of 25Carrot CakeView RecipeCarrots give carrot cake a health-halo effect–people think it’s health food, but it’s usually very high in fat and calories. But our version has about 40 percent less calories and 50 percent less fat than most. First, we use less oil in our batter. Then we skip the butter in the frosting (don’t worry, it’s still light and smooth). To ensure the cake is moist, we add nonfat buttermilk and crushed pineapple.16of 25Strawberry-Rhubarb Fruit BarsView RecipeStrawberry and rhubarb are a classic combination–try them in these easy-to-make fruit bars.17of 25Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake with Streusel ToppingView RecipeA dump cake recipe is exactly what it sounds like–you simply dump all of the ingredients into a pan and bake. There isn’t a step where you stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture; instead, it goes into the baking pan in three stages and the result is a pudding-like cake with a streusel-like topping. The two parts together are delicious (and you’d be hard-pressed to find an easier fall dessert)!18of 25PB & J Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain peanut butter and jam blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.19of 25Tomato-Peach CobblerView RecipeTomatoes may seem like an odd dessert ingredient, but their tangy flavor lends a pleasant balance to the sweet peaches in this healthy dessert recipe. To make individual cobblers, divide the filling and crust among twelve 8- to 10-ounce ovenproof dishes; bake until golden, about 50 minutes.20of 25Cranberry Cheesecake BarsView RecipeA great dessert option for your next holiday party, these sweet cheesecake bars have an oat crust and a cranberry-orange sauce that’s swirled on top and baked right in.21of 25Hazelnut-Espresso Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain hazelnut-espresso blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.22of 25Dried-Fruit BarsView RecipeMake a batch of these easy homemade dried-fruit bars to tuck into your kid’s lunchbox all week.23of 25Salted Caramel Pretzel-Oat BarsView RecipeThe addition of pumpkin seeds, oats and dried apricots takes this salted pretzel snack bar recipe to new heights.24of 25Pretzel & White Chocolate Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain pretzel-and-white-chocolate blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.25of 25Cranberry Crumble BarsView RecipeThese cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Grab your baking dish and make these healthy dessert recipes. From cakes to fruit bars to brownies, these desserts are fun, delicious and the perfect sweet treat. Recipes like Lemon-Blueberry Dump Cake and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are tasty and can be presented in the 9x13 baking dish, which means less dishes to wash.
01of 25Lemon-Blueberry Dump CakeView RecipeBrie PassanoGot an extra box of vanilla cake mix? Use it to make this easy blueberry-lemon dump cake! A layer of blueberries bakes with lemon-infused cake on top. With only 10 minutes of active time, this cake is perfect for busy nights or casual get-togethers.02of 25Strawberry Poke CakeView RecipeWhat makes this poke cake so special? After this lightened-up cake is baked and cooled, it’s poked with holes (hence the name!) that are filled with fresh pureed strawberries thickened with gelatin to prevent the cake from getting soggy. The end result? Sweet strawberry flavor inside and out!03of 25Chocolate Chip Oatmeal BarsView RecipeFull of oats, chocolate chips and chia seeds, these oatmeal bars are perfect for an on-the-go snack.04of 25Tres Leches CakeView RecipeTranslating to three milks cake, Tres Leches Cake is a traditional Mexican sponge cake that’s soaked in, you guessed it, three kinds of milk, for the ultimate moist, decadent cake. Think of it as a poke cake that we’ve lightened up with this easy recipe.05of 25Strawberry Crumble BarsView RecipeTara DonneAfter you haul all your fruit home from the orchard or farm, bake a batch of these bars. Change up the fruit with the seasons—peaches come summertime or apples in the fall.06of 25Coconut-Butter Mochi Cake with Lime CurdView RecipeMochi (made from glutinous sweet rice flour) is a Japanese, pillow-like dough that appears in all kinds of confections. In Hawaii it’s made into this simple, rich cake with the addition of eggs. We love it with this zesty lime curd topping for an extra-special dessert. Recipe adapted from Chef Greg Harrison, Pacific’O Restaurant.07of 25No-Bake Cherry CheesecakeView RecipeThis no-bake cherry cheesecake is an easy summertime treat. This no-bake cheesecake recipe has omega-3-rich walnuts in the graham cracker crust and uses nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese in the filling to keep saturated fat in check. If you want a bright red topping, use sour cherries. Sweet cherries give it a more purple hue. To make gluten-free no-bake cherry cheesecake, use gluten-free graham crackers.08of 25Double Chocolate BrowniesView RecipeApplesauce is the secret ingredient that keeps these yummy chocolate brownies dense and chewy even without all the butter you would expect to find. We’ve used whole-wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients and loaded the brownies with plenty of chocolate chips to keep them rich and satisfying. You won’t even miss the 20 grams of fat we’ve lost in the makeover.09of 25Quadradinhos de Laranja (Little Squares of Orange)View RecipePenny De Los SantosOrange lovers rejoice! This cake—one of the traditional yellow-hued sweets of Lisbon—is packed with sunny flavor thanks to loads of zest plus it’s drenched with orange syrup after coming out of the oven. Tightly wrap any leftovers with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. We added a touch of whole-wheat flour to help balance the sweetness. This recipe is part of Brooke Siem’s Grandmother Project. Learn more about this recipe and other recipes Siem learned to make in the articleHow Cooking Connected One Chef with Grandmothers Across the World.10of 25Cinnamon Streusel Fresh Apple BarsView RecipeThese sweet, cinnamon-flavored apple bars are the perfect accompaniment for your afternoon cup of coffee or tea.11of 25Coconut-Almond Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain coconut-almond blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.12of 25Easy Peach Cobbler Dump CakeView RecipeThis peach dump cake serves up a fluffy, tender vanilla cake that’s studded with juicy, sweet peaches. This peach cake is so simple it’s sure to become a favorite summertime dessert. Using a box of organic cake mix makes the recipe prep even easier.13of 25Pecan-Chocolate Chip Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain chocolate chip blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.14of 25No-Bake Berry Cheesecake BarsView RecipeAs if no-bake weren’t tempting enough, consider that the graham cracker crust for these berry cheesecake bars has pecans in it. Ooh la la! In the filling, nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese cut the calories and saturated fat.15of 25Carrot CakeView RecipeCarrots give carrot cake a health-halo effect–people think it’s health food, but it’s usually very high in fat and calories. But our version has about 40 percent less calories and 50 percent less fat than most. First, we use less oil in our batter. Then we skip the butter in the frosting (don’t worry, it’s still light and smooth). To ensure the cake is moist, we add nonfat buttermilk and crushed pineapple.16of 25Strawberry-Rhubarb Fruit BarsView RecipeStrawberry and rhubarb are a classic combination–try them in these easy-to-make fruit bars.17of 25Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake with Streusel ToppingView RecipeA dump cake recipe is exactly what it sounds like–you simply dump all of the ingredients into a pan and bake. There isn’t a step where you stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture; instead, it goes into the baking pan in three stages and the result is a pudding-like cake with a streusel-like topping. The two parts together are delicious (and you’d be hard-pressed to find an easier fall dessert)!18of 25PB & J Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain peanut butter and jam blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.19of 25Tomato-Peach CobblerView RecipeTomatoes may seem like an odd dessert ingredient, but their tangy flavor lends a pleasant balance to the sweet peaches in this healthy dessert recipe. To make individual cobblers, divide the filling and crust among twelve 8- to 10-ounce ovenproof dishes; bake until golden, about 50 minutes.20of 25Cranberry Cheesecake BarsView RecipeA great dessert option for your next holiday party, these sweet cheesecake bars have an oat crust and a cranberry-orange sauce that’s swirled on top and baked right in.21of 25Hazelnut-Espresso Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain hazelnut-espresso blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.22of 25Dried-Fruit BarsView RecipeMake a batch of these easy homemade dried-fruit bars to tuck into your kid’s lunchbox all week.23of 25Salted Caramel Pretzel-Oat BarsView RecipeThe addition of pumpkin seeds, oats and dried apricots takes this salted pretzel snack bar recipe to new heights.24of 25Pretzel & White Chocolate Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain pretzel-and-white-chocolate blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.25of 25Cranberry Crumble BarsView RecipeThese cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.
01of 25Lemon-Blueberry Dump CakeView RecipeBrie PassanoGot an extra box of vanilla cake mix? Use it to make this easy blueberry-lemon dump cake! A layer of blueberries bakes with lemon-infused cake on top. With only 10 minutes of active time, this cake is perfect for busy nights or casual get-togethers.
01of 25
Lemon-Blueberry Dump Cake
View Recipe
Brie Passano
Got an extra box of vanilla cake mix? Use it to make this easy blueberry-lemon dump cake! A layer of blueberries bakes with lemon-infused cake on top. With only 10 minutes of active time, this cake is perfect for busy nights or casual get-togethers.
02of 25Strawberry Poke CakeView RecipeWhat makes this poke cake so special? After this lightened-up cake is baked and cooled, it’s poked with holes (hence the name!) that are filled with fresh pureed strawberries thickened with gelatin to prevent the cake from getting soggy. The end result? Sweet strawberry flavor inside and out!
02of 25
Strawberry Poke Cake
What makes this poke cake so special? After this lightened-up cake is baked and cooled, it’s poked with holes (hence the name!) that are filled with fresh pureed strawberries thickened with gelatin to prevent the cake from getting soggy. The end result? Sweet strawberry flavor inside and out!
03of 25Chocolate Chip Oatmeal BarsView RecipeFull of oats, chocolate chips and chia seeds, these oatmeal bars are perfect for an on-the-go snack.
03of 25
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Full of oats, chocolate chips and chia seeds, these oatmeal bars are perfect for an on-the-go snack.
04of 25Tres Leches CakeView RecipeTranslating to three milks cake, Tres Leches Cake is a traditional Mexican sponge cake that’s soaked in, you guessed it, three kinds of milk, for the ultimate moist, decadent cake. Think of it as a poke cake that we’ve lightened up with this easy recipe.
04of 25
Tres Leches Cake
Translating to three milks cake, Tres Leches Cake is a traditional Mexican sponge cake that’s soaked in, you guessed it, three kinds of milk, for the ultimate moist, decadent cake. Think of it as a poke cake that we’ve lightened up with this easy recipe.
05of 25Strawberry Crumble BarsView RecipeTara DonneAfter you haul all your fruit home from the orchard or farm, bake a batch of these bars. Change up the fruit with the seasons—peaches come summertime or apples in the fall.
05of 25
Strawberry Crumble Bars
Tara Donne
After you haul all your fruit home from the orchard or farm, bake a batch of these bars. Change up the fruit with the seasons—peaches come summertime or apples in the fall.
06of 25Coconut-Butter Mochi Cake with Lime CurdView RecipeMochi (made from glutinous sweet rice flour) is a Japanese, pillow-like dough that appears in all kinds of confections. In Hawaii it’s made into this simple, rich cake with the addition of eggs. We love it with this zesty lime curd topping for an extra-special dessert. Recipe adapted from Chef Greg Harrison, Pacific’O Restaurant.
06of 25
Coconut-Butter Mochi Cake with Lime Curd
Mochi (made from glutinous sweet rice flour) is a Japanese, pillow-like dough that appears in all kinds of confections. In Hawaii it’s made into this simple, rich cake with the addition of eggs. We love it with this zesty lime curd topping for an extra-special dessert. Recipe adapted from Chef Greg Harrison, Pacific’O Restaurant.
07of 25No-Bake Cherry CheesecakeView RecipeThis no-bake cherry cheesecake is an easy summertime treat. This no-bake cheesecake recipe has omega-3-rich walnuts in the graham cracker crust and uses nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese in the filling to keep saturated fat in check. If you want a bright red topping, use sour cherries. Sweet cherries give it a more purple hue. To make gluten-free no-bake cherry cheesecake, use gluten-free graham crackers.
07of 25
No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake
This no-bake cherry cheesecake is an easy summertime treat. This no-bake cheesecake recipe has omega-3-rich walnuts in the graham cracker crust and uses nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese in the filling to keep saturated fat in check. If you want a bright red topping, use sour cherries. Sweet cherries give it a more purple hue. To make gluten-free no-bake cherry cheesecake, use gluten-free graham crackers.
08of 25Double Chocolate BrowniesView RecipeApplesauce is the secret ingredient that keeps these yummy chocolate brownies dense and chewy even without all the butter you would expect to find. We’ve used whole-wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients and loaded the brownies with plenty of chocolate chips to keep them rich and satisfying. You won’t even miss the 20 grams of fat we’ve lost in the makeover.
08of 25
Double Chocolate Brownies
Applesauce is the secret ingredient that keeps these yummy chocolate brownies dense and chewy even without all the butter you would expect to find. We’ve used whole-wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients and loaded the brownies with plenty of chocolate chips to keep them rich and satisfying. You won’t even miss the 20 grams of fat we’ve lost in the makeover.
09of 25Quadradinhos de Laranja (Little Squares of Orange)View RecipePenny De Los SantosOrange lovers rejoice! This cake—one of the traditional yellow-hued sweets of Lisbon—is packed with sunny flavor thanks to loads of zest plus it’s drenched with orange syrup after coming out of the oven. Tightly wrap any leftovers with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. We added a touch of whole-wheat flour to help balance the sweetness. This recipe is part of Brooke Siem’s Grandmother Project. Learn more about this recipe and other recipes Siem learned to make in the articleHow Cooking Connected One Chef with Grandmothers Across the World.
09of 25
Quadradinhos de Laranja (Little Squares of Orange)
Penny De Los Santos
Orange lovers rejoice! This cake—one of the traditional yellow-hued sweets of Lisbon—is packed with sunny flavor thanks to loads of zest plus it’s drenched with orange syrup after coming out of the oven. Tightly wrap any leftovers with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. We added a touch of whole-wheat flour to help balance the sweetness. This recipe is part of Brooke Siem’s Grandmother Project. Learn more about this recipe and other recipes Siem learned to make in the articleHow Cooking Connected One Chef with Grandmothers Across the World.
10of 25Cinnamon Streusel Fresh Apple BarsView RecipeThese sweet, cinnamon-flavored apple bars are the perfect accompaniment for your afternoon cup of coffee or tea.
10of 25
Cinnamon Streusel Fresh Apple Bars
These sweet, cinnamon-flavored apple bars are the perfect accompaniment for your afternoon cup of coffee or tea.
11of 25Coconut-Almond Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain coconut-almond blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
11of 25
Coconut-Almond Whole-Grain Blondies
This whole-grain coconut-almond blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
12of 25Easy Peach Cobbler Dump CakeView RecipeThis peach dump cake serves up a fluffy, tender vanilla cake that’s studded with juicy, sweet peaches. This peach cake is so simple it’s sure to become a favorite summertime dessert. Using a box of organic cake mix makes the recipe prep even easier.
12of 25
Easy Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
This peach dump cake serves up a fluffy, tender vanilla cake that’s studded with juicy, sweet peaches. This peach cake is so simple it’s sure to become a favorite summertime dessert. Using a box of organic cake mix makes the recipe prep even easier.
13of 25Pecan-Chocolate Chip Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain chocolate chip blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
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Pecan-Chocolate Chip Whole-Grain Blondies
This whole-grain chocolate chip blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
14of 25No-Bake Berry Cheesecake BarsView RecipeAs if no-bake weren’t tempting enough, consider that the graham cracker crust for these berry cheesecake bars has pecans in it. Ooh la la! In the filling, nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese cut the calories and saturated fat.
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No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Bars
As if no-bake weren’t tempting enough, consider that the graham cracker crust for these berry cheesecake bars has pecans in it. Ooh la la! In the filling, nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese cut the calories and saturated fat.
15of 25Carrot CakeView RecipeCarrots give carrot cake a health-halo effect–people think it’s health food, but it’s usually very high in fat and calories. But our version has about 40 percent less calories and 50 percent less fat than most. First, we use less oil in our batter. Then we skip the butter in the frosting (don’t worry, it’s still light and smooth). To ensure the cake is moist, we add nonfat buttermilk and crushed pineapple.
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Carrot Cake
Carrots give carrot cake a health-halo effect–people think it’s health food, but it’s usually very high in fat and calories. But our version has about 40 percent less calories and 50 percent less fat than most. First, we use less oil in our batter. Then we skip the butter in the frosting (don’t worry, it’s still light and smooth). To ensure the cake is moist, we add nonfat buttermilk and crushed pineapple.
16of 25Strawberry-Rhubarb Fruit BarsView RecipeStrawberry and rhubarb are a classic combination–try them in these easy-to-make fruit bars.
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Strawberry-Rhubarb Fruit Bars
Strawberry and rhubarb are a classic combination–try them in these easy-to-make fruit bars.
17of 25Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake with Streusel ToppingView RecipeA dump cake recipe is exactly what it sounds like–you simply dump all of the ingredients into a pan and bake. There isn’t a step where you stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture; instead, it goes into the baking pan in three stages and the result is a pudding-like cake with a streusel-like topping. The two parts together are delicious (and you’d be hard-pressed to find an easier fall dessert)!
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Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake with Streusel Topping
A dump cake recipe is exactly what it sounds like–you simply dump all of the ingredients into a pan and bake. There isn’t a step where you stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture; instead, it goes into the baking pan in three stages and the result is a pudding-like cake with a streusel-like topping. The two parts together are delicious (and you’d be hard-pressed to find an easier fall dessert)!
18of 25PB & J Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain peanut butter and jam blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
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PB & J Whole-Grain Blondies
This whole-grain peanut butter and jam blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
19of 25Tomato-Peach CobblerView RecipeTomatoes may seem like an odd dessert ingredient, but their tangy flavor lends a pleasant balance to the sweet peaches in this healthy dessert recipe. To make individual cobblers, divide the filling and crust among twelve 8- to 10-ounce ovenproof dishes; bake until golden, about 50 minutes.
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Tomato-Peach Cobbler
Tomatoes may seem like an odd dessert ingredient, but their tangy flavor lends a pleasant balance to the sweet peaches in this healthy dessert recipe. To make individual cobblers, divide the filling and crust among twelve 8- to 10-ounce ovenproof dishes; bake until golden, about 50 minutes.
20of 25Cranberry Cheesecake BarsView RecipeA great dessert option for your next holiday party, these sweet cheesecake bars have an oat crust and a cranberry-orange sauce that’s swirled on top and baked right in.
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Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
A great dessert option for your next holiday party, these sweet cheesecake bars have an oat crust and a cranberry-orange sauce that’s swirled on top and baked right in.
21of 25Hazelnut-Espresso Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain hazelnut-espresso blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
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Hazelnut-Espresso Whole-Grain Blondies
This whole-grain hazelnut-espresso blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
22of 25Dried-Fruit BarsView RecipeMake a batch of these easy homemade dried-fruit bars to tuck into your kid’s lunchbox all week.
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Dried-Fruit Bars
Make a batch of these easy homemade dried-fruit bars to tuck into your kid’s lunchbox all week.
23of 25Salted Caramel Pretzel-Oat BarsView RecipeThe addition of pumpkin seeds, oats and dried apricots takes this salted pretzel snack bar recipe to new heights.
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Salted Caramel Pretzel-Oat Bars
The addition of pumpkin seeds, oats and dried apricots takes this salted pretzel snack bar recipe to new heights.
24of 25Pretzel & White Chocolate Whole-Grain BlondiesView RecipeThis whole-grain pretzel-and-white-chocolate blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
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Pretzel & White Chocolate Whole-Grain Blondies
This whole-grain pretzel-and-white-chocolate blondie recipe has half the amount of brown sugar and butter as a traditional recipe and is made with 100% whole-wheat flour. The results: scrumptious toffee-flavored treats with fewer calories and less added sugars per serving.
25of 25Cranberry Crumble BarsView RecipeThese cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.
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Cranberry Crumble Bars
These cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you’ll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.
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