Is it possible to shower your loved ones with decadent chocolate desserts on Valentine’s Day without showering them with excess amounts of fat and calories? The answer — if you follow this blog — is YES!
I looked back into my recipe archives and selected four of my favorite “healthier” chocolate desserts for your culinary enjoyment. What follows is a sumptuous chocolate torte, playful chocolate berry cupcakes, irresistible chocolate Whoopie pies, and a luscious chocolate mousse. Each of my treats is extremely delicious, extremely hard to resist, and all are made with an array of better-for-you ingredients including semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa powder, canola oil, omega-3 eggs, whole wheat flour, pumpkin puree, avocados, and even blueberries!
Berry Good Chocolate Cupcakes are a makeover of traditional cupcakes. Instead of the usual buttercream frosting, I use a healthier spread made with Smart Balance, and I ramp up the nutritional GPA of my cupcake batter with canola oil versus butter, wild blueberries (they replace some of the fat), and less sugar than the average cupcake. I keep the portion size in check by baking my adorable cupcakes in mini muffin tins!
I-Love-Chocolate Party Torte is made with dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, canola oil, and whole wheat flour. Watch the portion (I cut this cake into 16 slices), and top with lots of nutritious ruby-red sliced strawberries and just a dollop of light whipped cream.
Chocolate Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, a makeover of a Whoopie recipe from the Food Network, are made with ingredients like canned pureed pumpkin, unsweetened cocoa powder, light cream cheese, and low-fat milk. You will not be disappointed.
The creaminess in my Avocado Chocolate Mousse does NOT come from butter or cream. Instead it’s made with a California avocado, light agave nectar, cocoa powder, and light coconut milk.
What are some of your favorite healthier chocolate desserts? Do tell 🙂 Oh, and let’s not forget about my Fudgy Black Bean Brownies. They’re always a huge hit …
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