End your family’s special dinner by serving a delicious new dessert. The ones here are both easy and healthy. Enjoy!

Gingerbread

Courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research

www.aicr.org

Makes 9 servings

Serve warm with fresh fruit or a cup of tea for a comforting holiday treat.

Ingredients

• Canola oil spray

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1 1/2 Tbsp ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup dark unsulfured molasses

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 6 Tbsp canola oil

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 cup boiling water

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 9-inch square pan with canola oil spray. In medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, spices, baking soda and salt.
2. In separate, large bowl, whisk together molasses, applesauce, canola oil, and egg until well blended. Add dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Whisk in boiling water and pour batter into prepared baking pan.
3. Bake for about 35 minutes, until the cake begins to pull away from the pan and a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 30 minutes. Invert cake onto platter and cool for about 15 minutes before serving.
4. Cut into 9 squares and serve warm. For storage, wrap tightly in foil and keep in fridge for up to 3 days.

 

Easy Baked Apples with Walnuts and Raisins

Courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research

www.aicr.org

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• Canola oil cooking spray

• 3 large Granny Smith apples or any variety baking apple

• 3 Tbsp whole-wheat flour

• 3 Tbsp brown sugar

• 3/4-1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4-1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

• 1/4 cup raisins

• 1/3 cup apple cider

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray oven-proof glass pie dish.
2. Cut apples in half from top to bottom, core and peel. Lay halves flat and cut into medium slices. Place apple slices in large bowl.
3. In medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Sprinkle mixture on apples and gently stir until apples are evenly coated with spices. Gently fold in walnuts and raisins.
4. Spoon apple mixture into prepared pie dish. Drizzle cider evenly over top.
5. Bake 50–55 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes. Using spatula, carefully turn over apple mixture to get caramelized sauce from bottom of dish. Serve hot or let cool to room temperature, refrigerate, and serve cold later.

 

Creamy Chocolate Date Mousse

Courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research

www.aicr.org

Makes 6 servings

The sweetness of dates combined with creamy coconut milk makes a perfect healthy dessert.

Ingredients

• 8-10 Medjool dates, pitted

• 1/2 cup light coconut milk, canned + 1/4 cup water

• 1 ripe avocado, peeled

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

 

Directions

1. Chop the dates into small pieces.
2. Add chopped dates, coconut milk, and water into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Add the avocado, melted chocolate chips, and cocoa powder. Blend again until creamy.
4. Pour into four small ramekins or bowls.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 1–3 hours (or overnight).

Optional: garnish with raspberries or chopped nuts.