Category Archives: Dessert

Neopolitan Pops (from the Zoku recipe book)

Even though I make these pops in a Zoku maker, you can make any of these recipes in traditional pop makers – each pop here is 2 oz. so adjust accordingly. And if you love pops like me, then do yourself a favor and get a Zoku 🙂 Their recipes turn out fantastic pops – I often skinny them up a bit, but I mostly use their measurements and basic recipe and am always pleased with the results.

Neopolitan Pops
Neopolitan Pops

6 servings
113 calories per serving

Strawberry Layer
3 ½ oz. hulled and quartered strawberries
3 T skim milk
1 T light sour cream
1 T + 1 t sugar
1 ½ t vanilla extract
½ t heavy cream

Combine the strawberries and milk in a blender until smooth and then press through a fine mesh sieve so you strain out the seeds – I usually run a spoon back and forth over the berries and that pushes the mix through the sieve pretty good. You should end up with ¼ c plus 3 T of seedless puree. Whisk in the sour cream, sugar, vanilla and cream.

Vanilla Layer
¼ c + 2 T skim milk
2 ½ T heavy cream
1 ½ T sugar
1 ½ t vanilla extract

Whisk all ingredients until the sugar is dissolved.

Chocolate Layer
1/3 c skim milk
2 ½ T chocolate syrup
1 T heavy cream
1 ½ t water
¼ t vanilla extract

Whisk all the ingredients together.

To make the pops in a Zoku, pour the strawberry layer 1/3 of the way up the mold and let freeze all the way. Then repeat with the vanilla and chocolate layers.

In traditional molds, freeze each layer at least an hour before adding the next and then freeze the whole thing 6 hours.

Toast the pecans in a skillet with the butter and sugar. Cook about 3 minutes stirring often. Let nuts cool completely.

In a saucepan over low heat whisk water and butterscotch morsels and cook until melted, but don’t boil. Cool 10 minutes then stir in the half and half and vanilla and then refrigerate until completely cool, about 20 minutes. Whisk occasionally so that a skin does not form on top of the mixture.

Working in 2 batches – place approximately 6 pecan halves in each mold and then pour in the butterscotch mixture up to the fill line. In 7-9 minutes you’ll have rich, flavorful pops that rival the experience of butter pecan ice cream 

If you are using traditional molds, freeze 6 hours.

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Caramel Latte Pops

Even though I make these pops in a Zoku maker, you can make any of these recipes in traditional pop makers – each pop here is 2 oz. so adjust accordingly. And if you love pops like me, then do yourself a favor and get a Zoku 🙂 Their recipes turn out fantastic pops – I often skinny them up a bit, but I mostly use their measurements and basic recipe and am always pleased with the results.

Caramel Latte Pops
Caramel Latte Pops

6 servings
46 calories per serving

2 c skim milk
3 shots of espresso, cooled
2 T caramel sauce

Whisk together espresso and milk. (if you like a sweet flavor, add some Equal or Splenda). Then pour into the base and freeze completely (7-9 minutes in the Zoku, 6 hours in the freezer). Just before eating, drizzle the pops with caramel syrup.

Cherry Cream Pie

Creamy vanilla goodness with sweet ripe cherries – it doesn’t get any better …oh wait, it does – there’s an oreo pie crust ! You have to make this one ! This is my Mom’s newest favorite dessert 🙂

Cherry Cream Pie
Cherry Cream Pie

8 servings
182 calories per serving

3 c frozen vanilla yogurt, softened (I love Turkey Hill brand)
1 1/4 c sliced pitted fresh cherries
1 prepared Oreo cookie pie crust
2 tablespoons Cool Whip

Make sure yogurt is good and melty and then stir in cherries. Turn all into the pie crust and freeze at least 3 hours. If desired, garnish with Cool Whip and some extra cherries.

Coconut Custard Pie

This makes such a great custard ! The coconut flavor is mild, the custard is creamy and this is a superb pie. Sometimes I add a little coconut to the custard itself. This is as good as any bakery custard and at only 280 calories per serving, it‘s a great choice.

Coconut Custard Pie
Coconut Custard Pie

8 servings
280 calories

¼ c flaked coconut
¾ Splenda
⅓ c cornstarch
½ t salt
2½ c skim milk
2 egg yolks
2 T butter
¾ c flaked coconut
1¼ t vanilla extract
¼ t coconut extract
1 low fat graham pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast ¼ cup coconut in a skillet on medium low heat 5 to 6 minutes or until toasted.
Mix Splenda, starch and salt and gradually whisk in milk. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thick. Beat egg until pale in color and then whisk in ¾ c of the milk mix. Then add that mix back to the rest of the milk and whisk (in this manner, the eggs do not curdle). Cook one minute to bring to a boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add butter, ¾ c coconut and extracts. Pour into crust, cover with plastic and gently press down on the filling. Chill 3 hours and sprinkle with toasted coconut and garnish with some optional whipped cream just before serving.

Grape Salad

This is one of those dishes that has everyone at the table making yummy noises 🙂 The cinnamon and cardamom are a FANTASTIC addition to the grapes. And the yogurt is really just a way to get the spices to stick to the fruit. The gingery goodness of the cardamom really makes this dish so be sure to add it in. Serve it as a dessert, a snack or a side dish.

Grape Salad
Grape Salad

4 servings
70 calories per serving

¼ c low fat vanilla yogurt
1/8 t cinnamon
1/8 t cardamom
1 c seedless green grapes halved lengthwise
1 c seedless red grapes halved lengthwise

Combine yogurt, cinnamon and cardamom – then mix in grapes and toss to coat. Cover and chill.

Frosty Mocha Drink

What a great afternoon pick-me-up! Sweet, chocolately, just the right amount of coffee, and nice and cold. (Much like a Wendy’s Frosty)

Frosty Mocha Drink
Frosty Mocha Drink

4 servings
118 calories per serving

1 ½ c skim milk
1/3 c chocolate syrup
2 T instant malted milk powder
2 T instant coffee
3 ½ c ice cubes

Combine milk, syrup, malted milk and coffee in a blender. Then add ice in a couple batches blending in between each batch and then serve immediately.

Chocolate Bark

This chocolate bark is made with matzah crackers and it is just delicious – – and the prep time is only 5 minutes ! This is great to serve as a dessert when you have company. If you don’t like almonds, use any chopped nuts.

Chocolate Bark
Chocolate Bark


8 servings
109 calories per serving

2 1 oz. UNSALTED matzah crackers
1 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate bar chopped up into small pieces (or semisweet chocolate chip morsels)
2 T toasted chopped almonds

Place chocolate in microwave and cook on high 1 minute. Stir and cook another 30 seconds. Mix well assuring it is all melted and no chunks are left. Pour over crackers and spread with a spatula until well covered. Sprinkle with almonds and press them into the chocolate so they stick well. Let stand until hardened and then cut into 4 pieces each.

Make sure you don’t skip the ‘toasting the nuts’ portion of the recipe. It really makes a difference in their flavor and just takes a few minutes – chop your nuts and then place in a dry hot skillet. Stir and continue cooking a few minutes until toasted. You will know they are ready as they will be a little browned and you will start to smell the aroma 🙂

Sweet Potato Pie Deluxe

The creamy, decadent topping is what makes this pie super special. This one is just a little sweet and a lot yummy 🙂

Sweet Potato Pie Deluxe
Sweet Potato Pie Deluxe

12 servings
287 calories per serving

1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes
1/3 c skim milk
145 oz can fat free sweetened condensed milk, divided
3 T brown sugar
2 T butter, melted
3/4 t ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
2 eggs
1 frozen pie crust bottom, thawed (or you can use refrigerated dough)
1/2 c low fat cream cheese, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wrap potatoes in foil and bake 1 1/2 – 2 hours or until very tender (you can also jump start these by piercing and microwaving for 5 minutes). Let cool a bit and then scoop out flash and mash. Add milk, 1/4 c condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, 1/2 t cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Mix well then add eggs 1 at a time. Pour into thawed pie crust and bake 45 minutes or until set. Mix the rest of the cinnamon with the cream cheese and beat with a mixer then add 1/2 c plus 2T of the condensed milk and beat on medium. Pour over the pie and let stand 15 minutes then serve.

Fruit and Cheese Quesadillas

Brie is just meant to go with fruit – the sweet fruit and the oaky brie just go so well together. This makes a great appetizer, breakfast, lunch or dessert. The melted brie is just divine !

Fruit and Cheese Quesadillas
Fruit and Cheese Quesadillas

6 servings
177 calories per serving

2 T honey
2 t lime juice
½ t grated lime rind

1 c peaches, peeled and sliced thinly
1 ½ Splenda brown sugar blend
3 oz. Brie, thinly sliced
6 6 inch fat free flour tortillas (80 calories each)
Pam

Stir together honey, juice and zest. Mix peaches and sugar and divide evenly into each tortilla. Add ½ oz. cheese to each. Fold over and place in a hot pan sprayed with Pam. Cook 2 minutes then flip over and cook another 2 minutes.

Pumpkin Dessert Bars

Rustic and homey – these pumpkin bars with pepitas are a great dessert for those who like desserts a little less sweet.

Pumpkin Dessert Bars
Pumpkin Dessert Bars

8 servings
264 calories per serving

½ c whole wheat flour
1 c rolled oats
½ t baking soda
½ t cinnamon
½ t allspice
¼ t salt
½ c canned pure pumpkin
1 egg
¼ c canola oil
1 t vanilla
¼ c sugar
¼ c raw,. shelled pumpkin seeds (Pepitas)
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8×8 square baking pan with Pam. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Whisk together pumpkin. egg, oil, vanilla and sugar then stir pumpkin mix into the flour mix and stir in pumpkin seeds. Spread evenly into prepared pan and bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool and then cut into 8 bars. Wrap bars individually and store in the refrigerator.

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