Healthy Baking at Home

Desserts are a delicious part of our diet. Try these easy swaps to make your favorite recipes a little bit healthier!

For desserts that use butter, try using banana instead. You can use ½ as much mashed banana as butter and add more if the texture is too dry. If a recipe calls for melted butter, you can also use apple sauce in the same amount as a replacement.

Many baking recipes call for whole eggs. Try ¼ cup of egg substitute or 2 egg whites instead!

Does your favorite dessert use whipped cream or heavy cream in the recipe? Try fat-free evaporated milk instead. You can use the same amount as a replacement. Evaporated milk even whips up the same way as heavy cream! Just be sure to chill the evaporated milk for at least 30 minutes prior to whipping.

Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients

1 9-inch baked chocolate cookie pie crust
8 ounces low-fat cream cheese (room temperature)
¾ cup confectioners’ sugar, plus 2 tbsp (divided)
¾ cup reduced-fat creamy peanut butter (room temperature)
1 cup fat-free evaporated milk (chilled for at least 30 minutes)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ounces shaved milk chocolate
Chopped peanuts (optional)

Directions

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, ¾ confectioners’ sugar, and peanut butter until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
In a separate bowl, whip the evaporated milk until thick and light. Add 2 tbsp of confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract. Continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Set aside a small amount of whipped evaporated milk for optional garnish.
Fold whipped cream into peanut butter mixture. Pour mixture into pie crust, sprinkle with shaved milk chocolate and freeze for 4 hours.
Serve with whipped evaporated milk and chopped peanuts if desired.

Adapted from: The Neelys on The Food Network

Ready, Set, Bake!

Take a look at your favorite dessert recipes. Can you swap cream cheese for low-fat cream cheese? Could you use a mashed banana instead of shortening? Try it out and enjoy a healthy dessert at home!

About the Author

Sara Riehm is a registered, licensed dietitian with the Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement. Sara obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and is passionate about disease prevention and nutrition education. She has been welcomed as a guest speaker at several events and local news programs and enjoys every opportunity to discuss evidence-based nutrition information with the community.