Healthy Dessert Recipes with Canned Beans: Peanut Butter Blondies, Flourless Red Velvet Cake (2024)

Jan142016

In today's "Small Changes, Big Results" email, we're trading traditional (read: fatty) baking ingredients for canned beans. Don't be scared -- all you'll taste is rich, decadentdeliciousness! These sweet treats need to be bitten to be believed...

Healthy Dessert Recipes with Canned Beans: Peanut Butter Blondies, Flourless Red Velvet Cake (1)

Peanut Butter Blondies

1/9th of pan: 120 calories, 4g total fat (1g sat. fat), 206mg sodium, 19g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 4g sugars, 6g protein

Click for WW Points® value*

Thanks to powdered peanut butter and pureed chickpeas, this tasty dessert makeover is shockingly guilt-free. You will freak when you try it!

Click here for a video demo!

Prep:15 minutes
Cook:30 minutes
Cool: 1 hour

More:Dessert Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Four or More Servings

Ingredients:

One 15-oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup powdered peanut butter

1/4 cup whole-wheat flour

1/4 cup (about 2 large) egg whites

3 tbsp. Truvia spoonable calorie-free sweetener (or another no-calorie granulated sweetener that's about twice as sweet as sugar; see HG FYI)

2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter (no sugar added)

2 tbsp. canned pure pumpkin

1 1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. mini (or chopped) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8" X 8” baking pan with nonstick spray.

Place all ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor. Puree until completely smooth and uniform.

Gently fold in 1/2 tbsp. chocolate chips.

Spread mixture into the baking pan, and smooth out the top. Evenly top with remaining 1 1/2 tbsp. chocolate chips, and lightly press into the batter.

Bake until a toothpick (or knife) inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, 25 - 30 minutes.

Let cool completely, about 1 hour. Refrigerate leftovers.

MAKES 9 SERVINGS

HG FYI: Truvia spoonable calorie-free sweetener is about twice as sweet as sugar. If using a no-calorie granulated sweetener that measures cup-for-cup like sugar instead of Truvia, double the amount called for in this recipe.

Clean & Hungry Tip: If you avoid sugar completely, look for powdered peanut butter with no added sugar(like Jif Peanut Powder -- the only ingredient is peanuts) and stevia-sweetened chocolate chips (like the kind by Lily's).And keep an eye out for more Clean & Hungry recipes from us. Clean & Hungry is our real-world take on clean eating! Happy about that? Let us know...

Healthy Dessert Recipes with Canned Beans: Peanut Butter Blondies, Flourless Red Velvet Cake (4)

Flourless Red Velvet Cake

1/8th of cake: 127 calories, 5g total fat (2g sat. fat), 326mg sodium, 23.5g carbs, 4.5g fiber, 6g sugars, 6g protein

Click for WW Points® value*

Adios, gluten: This cake is made with chickpeas! And the cream-cheese frosting takes it to the next level...

Prep:20 minutes
Cook:40 minutes
Cool: 1 hour

More:Dessert Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Four or More Servings, Gluten-Free

Ingredients:

Frosting

1/4 cup reduced-fat cream cheese

2 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Light or Brummel & Brown)

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tbsp. powdered sugar

Cake

One 15-oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup (about 4 large) egg whites

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin

1/4 cup Truvia spoonable calorie-free sweetener (or another no-calorie granulated sweetener that's about twice as sweet as sugar; see HG FYI)

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

2 1/2 tsp. red food coloring (like this all-natural option), or more as needed

1 tbsp. mini (or chopped) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9" round cake pan with foil, and generously spray with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine all frosting ingredients except powdered sugar. With an electric mixer set to medium speed, beat until smooth, 1 - 2 minutes. Continue to beat while gradually adding powdered sugar. Beat until smooth, another 1 - 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate.

Place all cake ingredients except food coloring and chocolate chips in a food processor. Puree until completely smooth and uniform.

Mix in food coloring. Fold in chocolate chips.

Spread mixture into the baking pan, and smooth out the top.

Bake until a toothpick (or knife) inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, 35 - 40 minutes.

Let cool completely, about 1 hour.

Spread the top of the cake with frosting. Refrigerate leftovers.

HG Tip: For easy slicing, first remove the entire cake by lifting it out by the foil lining the pan.

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

HG FYI: Truvia spoonable calorie-free sweetener is about twice as sweet as sugar. If using a no-calorie granulated sweetener that measures cup-for-cup like sugar instead of Truvia, double the amount called for in this recipe.

As an Amazon affiliate, we may receive some compensation from some of these links.

Hungry for More Low-Calorie Dessert Recipes?

Chew on this:

Today, January 14th, is National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day. DIY with an open-faced sandwich: warm turkey pastrami, a thin slice of whole-grain bread, a squirt of brown mustard, and some sauerkraut!

Everyone you know needs these healthy dessert recipes -- click "Send to a Friend" now, or share 'em on Facebook!

Healthy Dessert Recipes with Canned Beans: Peanut Butter Blondies, Flourless Red Velvet Cake (11)

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*The WW Points®values for these products and/or recipes were calculated by Hungry Girl and are not an endorsem*nt or approval of the product, recipe or its manufacturer or developer by WW International, Inc., the owner of thePoints® trademark.

Questions on the WW Points® values listed?Click here.

Hungry Girl provides general information about food and lifestyle. This information and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.Click herefor more information.

Healthy Dessert Recipes with Canned Beans: Peanut Butter Blondies, Flourless Red Velvet Cake (2024)

FAQs

What should I have for dessert healthy? ›

Healthier Desserts
  • Berries and Cream. 1/12. It's a classic combo. ...
  • Frozen Fruit Bars. 2/12. Some store-bought brands offer low-calorie, lower-sugar options. ...
  • Dark Chocolate. 3/12. ...
  • Yogurt Parfait. 4/12. ...
  • Oat Apple Crisp. 5/12. ...
  • Fruit and Cheese. 6/12. ...
  • Chocolate-Covered Frozen Bananas. 7/12. ...
  • Nut Bar. 8/12.
Dec 1, 2022

Is red velvet cake just chocolate cake with red food coloring? ›

While Chocolate Cake is made primarily with cocoa powder and sometimes melted chocolate, Red Velvet Cake is made with a small amount of cocoa powder, but is also known for its signature bright red color, which is usually achieved by adding red food coloring to the batter.

What's the difference between chocolate cake and red velvet cake? ›

Red Velvet Cake also has a slightly tart and has a mild cocoa flavor, while Chocolate cake is creamy, buttery, and has a rich cocoa taste. Red Velvet Cake is smooth, light, soft, with a velvety crumb (hence, the “velvet” in Red Velvet Cake). Chocolate cake is soft and fluffy and has a solid crumb.

What filling goes with red velvet cake? ›

In my opinion, cream cheese frosting pairs best with red velvet's flavor and this frosting recipe is really simple. You need brick-style cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, a splash of milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to offset the sweetness.

What is the most healthiest dessert? ›

Healthy dessert ideas from dietitians and doctors
  • Oatmeal raisin cookies. ...
  • Ice cream with seasonal fruit and honey. ...
  • Homemade sorbet or "nice cream" ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Chocolate and peanut butter smoothies. ...
  • Smoothie popsicles. ...
  • Easy mug cakes. ...
  • Frozen yogurt bark.
Dec 21, 2023

What's the difference between red velvet and devil's food cake? ›

Devil's food cake typically has coffee, sour cream, or water in the batter. While red velvet cake has tangier flavored liquids like buttermilk or vinegar. The different liquids also mean that Devil's food cakes have more moisture, which results in a more tender cake than red velvet.

What does red velvet symbolize? ›

In recent history, red velvet cake has become synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations. Not only does the color red symbolize the bloodshed of the enslaved people who never experienced freedom, but it's also a symbol of strength and spiritual transformation in West African cultures.

Does red velvet have red 40? ›

Many years ago, the red color came from the presence of vinegar and buttermilk reacting with the anthocyanins in traditional cocoa powder. But for most of the last few decades, the red color has been supplied by Red #40 dye, in part because cocoa powder used now is alkalized to neutralize its acidity.

What flavor is blue velvet? ›

The flavor of blue velvet cake is the same as a red velvet cake—fluffy vanilla cake with a hint of chocolate slathered in tangy cream cheese frosting. It is easy to make a blue velvet cake from scratch with a blend of cocoa powder, vinegar, buttermilk, and bright blue food coloring.

What is the difference between red velvet cake and black forest cake? ›

A BFG has multitudes of chocolate cake layers, real whipped cream, kirsch infused cherries and chocolate adornments. A red velvet is often a dry, red coloured fairly flavourless chocolate cake smothered in an overly sweet vanilla buttercream.

Can my dog eat red velvet cake? ›

No. The main ingredients in red velvet cake are not good for dogs, including chocolate, wheat flour, and sugar. In particular, chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains methylxanthines like caffeine and theobromine, which dogs cannot break down as we can.

What frosting goes well with red velvet? ›

However, ermine frosting remains a classic choice for those who prefer a smoother, less tangy frosting for their red velvet cake. The choice between ermine frosting and cream cheese frosting often comes down to personal preference.

What flavors compliment red velvet? ›

Some delicious flavor combinations for red velvet cake include:
  • Raspberry buttercream.
  • Chocolate ganache.
  • Cream cheese and lemon.
  • Salted caramel.
  • Coconut cream.
Oct 19, 2023

What is the big deal about red velvet cake? ›

Nicole Taylor, a cookbook author, described red velvet cake as a staple that only came out in Atlanta during special occasions, such as Christmas, Juneteenth, and other big celebrations. The color red also symbolizes joy, which explains its use as a celebration cake today in black communities.

What is a healthy dessert after dinner? ›

Fruit salad with honey: Fruit salad is a refreshing and nutritious dessert that's packed with vitamins and minerals. Drizzle it with honey for a touch of sweetness. Frozen yogurt with nuts and fruit: Frozen yogurt is a lower-calorie alternative to ice cream, and it's a good source of protein and calcium.

Can you eat dessert and still be healthy? ›

There are many other indicators of health, including your quality of sleep, your stress levels and how hydrated you are. But if weight loss is your goal, you can (and should) have dessert if you want to. In fact, allowing yourself to enjoy dessert can actually make weight loss easier.

What can I eat for dessert instead of sugar? ›

Here are ten healthy (and tasty!) alternatives to sweets:
  • Fruit. Fruit is nature's candy, after all! ...
  • Greek Yogurt. ...
  • Peanut Butter and Banana Ice Cream. ...
  • Chia Pudding. ...
  • Low-sugar Popsicles. ...
  • Nut Butter. ...
  • Baked Pears or Apples. ...
  • Chocolate Dipped Banana Bites.
Jan 9, 2023

How can I satisfy my sweet tooth without sugar? ›

Sometimes you can satisfy your sweet tooth by choosing a food that's naturally sweet, such as bananas, raspberries, grapes or blueberries. To make fruit taste even sweeter, try freezing it, Pope suggests. For an indulgence that feels more like dessert, go for a frozen fruit bar with no added sugar.

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