1. Swap canned whipped cream for homemade whipped cream
Making your own whipped cream sounds like a lot of work, but it’s really easy. All you need is cold cream and a touch of maple or vanilla extract to create a healthier, cooler whipped cream. “These premade toppings are essentially hydrogenated oils and additives,” Cornell said. “Real cream, lightly sweetened, is an ingredient plus flavor. You get real nutrition, better texture and no aftertaste like ‘I can taste the preservatives.'”
2. Use nuts or seeds to replace part of a crust or streusel topping
Did you know that nuts are fruits? We know…crazy! But it makes sense that swapping these dry, single-seeded fruits for a little flour or sugar can be beneficial in even the most famous recipes. “A pecan oat crust, an almond flour crust or pumpkin seeds mixed into a crunchy topping add healthy fats, minerals and fiber. Plus, it reduces the amount of refined flour and sugar needed because nuts provide natural richness,” Cornell said.
3. Substitute maple syrup for corn syrup or a date syrup mixture in pecan pie
Corn syrup is very similar to the ex you just weren’t that keen on. “Highly processed corn syrup adds sweetness, but nothing else,” Cornell said. “Maple syrup and date syrup contribute antioxidants, minerals and a more intense flavor. A 50/50 blend of maple and dates mimics the viscosity of corn syrup while adding a more complex, less overpowering sweetness to the cake.” Now that’s a cake you can swipe right on.
4. Choose whole fruits instead of canned fruits
Not all canned fruit is bad, but when possible, using fresh fruit that isn’t floating in syrup means fewer calories and other health benefits. “Apple pie filling made from fresh apples or cranberry sauce made from whole cranberries and orange peel contains more fiber, vitamin C and less added sugar,” Cornell said. “The flavors are also more prominent, making the dessert feel lighter rather than heavy.”
Read: 5 Ways to Make Your Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes Healthier >>
5. Use citrus zest and warm spices to reduce the sugar content
Citrus, cinnamon and cardamom – oh my! The Three C’s get an A+ Plus for adding depth and flavor to favorite desserts. “Orange peel in cranberry desserts, lemon peel in cheesecake, and additional cinnamon or cardamom in apple dishes enhance the perception of sweetness,” Cornell said. “You can often cut 20 to 30 percent of the sugar without anyone batting an eyelid.”
6. Add white whole wheat flour instead of refined flour
We know that crust is sacred. We respect the crust. But if the crust could talk, it would tell you that swapping white whole-wheat flour for traditional white flour is a no-brainer. “White whole wheat flour behaves almost exactly like all-purpose flour, but adds fiber, antioxidants and more micronutrients. It’s one of the easiest sneaky nutritional boosts that no one ever notices,” said Cornell. Crust tested.
7. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
Greek yogurt has less fat and calories than sour cream, making it a good substitute for cheesecakes and sweet breads. “Greek yogurt adds protein, provides a creamy texture, and reduces the post-dessert heaviness when everyone is slumped on the couch contemplating life decisions,” Cornell said.
