Bring on the Sweets

The Super Bowl gathering is one of the biggest calorie fests of the year for many Americans. Desserts are an important part of the buffet so I sought out recipes that are lower in fat content but still satisfy your "sweet tooth" cravings. 

A tray of fresh fruits served with angel food cake slices

 Angel food cake and fruit kabobs

Classic-Fudge Walnut Brownies

Cook's notes:Unsweetened cocoa lowers the fat content in this recipe. To ensure a nice fudgy texture take care not to overbake. 

recipe from Cooking Light Magazine September 2011

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chunks
• 1/3 cup fat free milk
• 6 TB. melted butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• optional 1/2 tsp. espresso powder (deepens the flavor of the chocolate)

Directions:

• Preheat oven 350
• Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt)
• Combine 1/2 cup chocolate pieces with milk, microwave at high 1 minute, stir after 30 seconds
• Sir in butter, vanilla, eggs and whisk
• Add to milk mixture,adding in 1/2 cup chocolate pieces and 1/4 cup nuts
• Stir till mixed and spread batter in 9 inch pan 
• Sprinkle other 1/4 cup nuts on top press gently into batter
• Bake 19 minutes, cool in pan on a wire rack 

Citrus-Drizzled Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

Cook's notes: Coarsely chopped macadamia nuts can be added to batter. For even a more healthier ingredient option use 1 cup all purpose flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour. For easier clean up use line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Change the paper after each batch. Recipes makes 3 dozen cookies. 

recipe from Cooking Light Magazine December 2006

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups quick-cooking  oats
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp, baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup butter softened
• 1-1/2 tsp.vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries or cherries

Glaze

• 1-1/2 cups powdered
• 3 TB. fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp.grated orange rind

Directions Cookies:

• Combine flour, oats,baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg in a bowl
• In another bowl beat brown sugar, white sugar, egg and vanilla
• Gradually add egg mixture to flour mixture, add in cranberries, beat on low until combined
• Chill dough and then shape into balls (1-1/2- 2 inch)
• Place cookie balls 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet  and bake at 350 degrees 13-15 minutes
• Let sit on baking sheet 2 minutes and cool cookies n a wire rack 

Directions Glaze:  

• Combine ingredients and mix on low until well combined
• Spoon mixture into a small zip loc bag with one corner snipped
• Place cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet and drizzle glaze over cookies