Guiltless indulgences: six 100-calorie (or less!) desserts

My wedding is a mere 6 weeks away. And with my final dress fitting just around the corner I’m focused on not gaining—or losing—any weight. I’m on track weight-wise (now, if my arms could just look like Michelle Obama’s…), but lately my sweet tooth has been getting the better of me. So to satisfy my dessert cravings, but not go overboard, I’ve been whipping up some of these low-calorie dessert recipes—that way I only have to cut back a little bit at one of my other meals.

If you’re like me and trying to maintain your weight—or maybe even drop a few pounds—don’t feel like you need to banish dessert altogether. Indulge guiltlessly with these 100-calorie (or less!) desserts.

1. Indoor S’Mores: No fire required here! This delicious dessert takes 5 minutes, or less, to whip up. Delish!
Ingredients:
2 whole graham crackers, broken in half
4 marshmallows
2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)

Preparation:
1. Position oven rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat broiler.
2. Place graham cracker halves on a baking sheet; top each with 1 marshmallow. Broil, with the oven door ajar and watching carefully, until the marshmallows are golden brown, 45 to 75 seconds. Remove from the oven and drizzle each S’more with a little melted chocolate.

Tip: To melt chocolate: Microwave on Medium for 45 seconds. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium in 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Or place in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.

Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 98 calories; 3 g fat (1 g sat); 18 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 70 mg sodium; 33 mg potassium.

2. Almond & Honey-Butter Cookies: When they were testing these in the EatingWell Test Kitchen I couldn’t stay away! This thumbprint cookie uses honey as the only sweetener and tender ground almonds to replace much of the butter found in similar cookies.

3. Italian Hazelnut Cookies: These crispy cookies are made with hazelnuts and eggs, which packs them with a powerful, sweet, nutty burst of flavor.

4. Boot Tracks: This quick, no-fuss, chewy chocolate cookie is made on your waffle iron. Making it even easier, there’s no need to haul out the big mixer: you can mix the batter with a small hand mixer or even by hand.

5. Vanilla-Orange Freezer Pops: These creamy vanilla-flavored orange juice pops transport me back to the days of standing in line at the ice cream truck.

6. Chocolate & Nut Butter Bites: Another sweet satisfaction ready in seconds! I like to keep these ingredients on hand at the office.

Ingredients:
8 1/4-ounce squares bittersweet chocolate
4 teaspoons almond, cashew or pistachio butter

Preparation:
Top each chocolate square with 1/2 teaspoon nut butter of your choice (almond, cashew, pistachio).

Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 79 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 9 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 12 mg sodium; 20 mg potassium.

By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D.

Brierley’s interest in nutrition and food come together in her position as an associate editor at EatingWell. Brierley holds a master’s degree in Nutrition Communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. A Registered Dietitian, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont.