two healthy dessert recipes

i am a sucker for sweets. i can resist just about any savory food, but when it comes to something sweet, i have a hard time saying no (but in all actuality, lately i've had a hard time saying no to food in general). after supper, my sweet-tooth aches for something and a glass of cold milk. i have tried many "healthy" dessert recipes and some of them definitely were thrown in the trash but some of them have turned out to be really good. another tip for sweet-tooth problems is to just make half-batches of sweets so that there aren't as many to be tempted by and to substitute with healthier ingredients (like applesauce or banana for eggs and oil, whole wheat flour for white flour).

i have made both these recipes in the last week and they are both really good! don't veto the first recipe until you try it! i know you are going to read through the ingredients and immediately think i am crazy for saying that its good, but it really is! i even have two of my roommates approval! the second recipe is a little bit healthier spin on haystacks, which are usually made with chow-mein noodles. the recipe below has some extra protein and fiber that regular haystacks don't have!

healthy cookie bars

1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 c regular oats 

1/4 c unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla 

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 c Splenda Brown Sugar Blend (or 1/2 c regular brown sugar)

1/2 c mix-in of choice (chocolate chips, craisins, m&m's, etc.)

1. spray 8x8 pan with Pam and set aside. preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. place all ingredients, except mix-in, in a blender or food processor. process until mixture is smooth. stir in mix-in of choice. 
3. spread evenly into pan. cook for 25-30 minutes. let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.
4. store leftovers in refrigerator in an airtight container. microwave for 30 seconds to reserve. 

(recipe slightly adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie)

healthier haystacks

1 bag butterscotch chips (or chocolate chips)

1/3 c peanut butter (creamy or crunchy) 

1 pouch (3 3/4 c) Fiber One Original Bran Cereal

1. line cookies sheets with wax/parchment paper.
2. in a large microwavable bowl, melt peanut butter and butterscotch chips on high for 1 minute, stirring every thirty seconds. repeat until melted thoroughly and smooth. 
3. stir in cereal until well coated. drop mixture by rounded spoonful onto wax paper. refrigerate or let sit until haystacks are firm. 
4. store in airtight container. 

(recipe slightly adapted from Fiber One)

these recipes are great for the sweet tooth in all of us. they won't do terrible damage to your diet or your waistline and they are tasty as well. everyone has to indulge every once in a while and both these recipes allow you to do so more often! make these as a treat to start your work week off right!

xoxo,

clp