Looking for a little something sweet after dinner? Get out of the cookie jar and tub of Ben & Jerry's! These 7 easy desserts are the perfect finale to any meal, and they won't weigh you down or send you into a sugar high. From quick “cheesecake” and chocolate sandwiches to broiled mango and peach sundaes, at under 250 calories each, you can't go wrong for your waistline...
Broiled Mango
Broiling fruit brings out its inherent sweetness. A squeeze of tart lime juice balances it out. To cut a mango, slice both ends of the fruit off, and set it upright to remove the skin with a sharp knife. With the seed perpendicular to you, slice the fruit from both sides of the seed, yielding two large pieces. Next, turn the seed parallel to you and slice the two smaller pieces of fruit from each side. Last, cut the fruit into the desired shape.
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
1 mango, peeled and sliced
Lime wedges
Preparation
1. Position rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler. Line a broiler pan with foil.
2. Arrange mango slices in a single layer in the prepared pan. Broil until browned in spots, 8-10 minutes.
3. Squeeze lime wedges over the broiled mango and serve.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
69 calories
0 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
18 g carbohydrate
1 g protein
2 g fiber
2 mg sodium
167 mg potassium
Nutrition Bonus: vitamin C (50% Daily Value), vitamin A (15% DV)
Citrus-Infused Strawberries
A touch of lemon juice and Grand Marnier add zippy citrus notes to fresh strawberries. Serve with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.
Serves: 4 servings, 3/4 cup each
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Preparation
1. Combine strawberries, sugar, Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur) and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Let stand, stirring once or twice, until the strawberries release their juice, about 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
73 calories
0 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
17 g carbohydrate
1 g protein
2 g fiber
1 mg sodium
178 mg potassium
Nutrition Bonus: vitamin C (112% Daily Value)
Grilled Dark Chocolate Sandwich
Both simpler and more decadent than a chocolate croissant, a grilled chocolate sandwich is a surprisingly delicious marriage of bread and dark chocolate.
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
1/4 cup fat-free evaporated milk
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1-1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
8 slices thin whole-wheat or white sandwich bread
3 tablespoons bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons chopped toasted hazelnuts (optional)
Preparation
1. Heat evaporated milk just until boiling. Add chocolate, let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
2. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Divide the chocolate mixture on the unbuttered side of 4 slices, leaving a little border. Press chocolate chips and nuts, if using, into the chocolate. Cover with the remaining slices of bread, buttered-side up, and press lightly.
3. Cook the sandwiches in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes. Turn over, press with a spatula, and cook until nicely browned and the chocolate is barely melted, 30 seconds-1 minute. Serve warm.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
151 calories
7 g fat (4 g sat, 1 g mono)
6 mg cholesterol
21 g carbohydrate
4 g protein
2 g fiber
131 mg sodium
Cherries with Ricotta & Toasted Almonds
Warm cherries topped with luscious ricotta cheese and toasted almonds makes for a rich – yet calorie-conscious – after-dinner treat.
Serves: 1
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
3/4 cup frozen pitted cherries
2 tablespoons part-skim ricotta
1 tablespoon toasted slivered almonds
Preparation
1. Heat cherries in the microwave on High until warm, 1-2 minutes.
2. Top the cherries with ricotta and almonds.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
150 calories
6 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono)
10 mg cholesterol
20 g carbohydrate
6 g protein
3 g fiber
39 mg sodium
329 mg potassium
Grilled Peach Sundaes
Fruit on the grill? Most definitely, and just in time for summer! Try grilling other stone fruit (fruits with large seeded centers) or pineapple, too, for a healthy, yummy way to end your evening.
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
2 peaches, halved and pitted
1 teaspoon canola oil
2 scoops nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt or fruit sorbet
1 tablespoon toasted unsweetened coconut
Preparation
1. Preheat grill to high.
2. Brush peach halves with oil. Grill until tender.
3. Place 2 peach halves in each bowl and top with a scoop of frozen yogurt (or sorbet) and coconut.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
154 calories
4 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
28 g carbohydrate
4 g protein
2 g fiber
41 mg sodium
319 mg potassium
Quick "Cheesecake"
Love cheesecake but don’t want the fat and calories? Smear ricotta cheese and your favorite jam on graham crackers for instant "cheesecake."
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
4 whole-wheat graham crackers
4 tablespoons part-skim ricotta cheese
8 teaspoons jam
Preparation
1. Spread each graham cracker with 1 tablespoon part-skim ricotta cheese and 2 teaspoons jam.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
239 calories
6 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono)
10 mg cholesterol
42 g carbohydrate
7 g protein
2 g fiber
259 mg sodium
39 mg potassium
Tea-Scented Mandarins
An unusual combination of ingredients makes a delicious dessert or a healthful afternoon snack.
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups mandarin orange or clementine segments
1/2 cup hot black tea
2 tablespoons honey
Pinch of ground cardamom
Preparation
1. Place orange (or clementine) segments in a small bowl.
2. Pour tea over them and drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cardamom.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
63 calories
0 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
16 g carbohydrate
1 g protein
2 g fiber
2 mg sodium
179 mg potassium
Want more? Check out these EatingWell features:
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What's Your Chocolate IQ?
For as long as you can remember, chocolate has been a part of your life. From hot chocolate to truffles, women especially have an intimate relationship with chocolate. In good times and bad, it's always been there to soothe your soul. But how much do you really know about your favorite sweet treat?
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