If I have my cake...why can't I eat it? 3 desserts...3 ingredients

I never understood the adage "You can't have your cake and eat it too."  If I have cake in front of me.. you can be sure that I want to eat it!! Life is too short never to eat dessert so I am always trying to find sweet endings that are not only low in calories and fat, but also delicious. Here are 3 easy, easy desserts that all have simply 3 ingredients. One is a favorite "go to" dessert when you just MUST have some chocolate. One is an oldie but a goodie. And one is a new idea that I discovered in one of my favorite South Jersey restaurants.

Make this chocolate cake and don't tell anyone that it is low fat. See it disappear before your eyes.

So Easy Chocolate Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix (any kind. The deeper the chocolate, the better)

1 cup water

1 small can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 inch pan and set aside. Empty chocolate cake mix into large mixing bowl. Stir in water and mix well.  Add pumpkin and mix well. (mixing can be done by hand...you see, I told you this recipe was easy!) That's it. Do not follow directions on cake box...only use these 3 ingredients. Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. Cut into 24 pieces.

Serving size: 1 piece 93 calories, 2g fat, .5 g fiber

You loved these as a kid and will love them as an adult too! They are surprising low in fat and calories and are a sure crowd pleaser. 3 ingredients and super duper easy!

Rice Krispie Treats

3 tablespoons margarine

1 package (10oz about 40) regular marshmallows

6 cups rice krispies cereal

Melt margarine in large saucepan over low heat.  Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.  Remove from heat.  Add rice krispies cereal.  Stir until well coated.  Using buttered spatula or waxed paper, press muxture evenly into 13x9 inch pan coated with cooking spray.  Cut into 24 pieces when cool. 

Serving size: 1 piece  98 calories, 1g fat, <1g fiber

                               

Upscale does not have to be difficult to make...and it does not have to be fattening. I discovered this next dessert at one of my favorite South Jersey restaurants, Pasta Pomodoro. http://www.pastapomodoronj.com/ Why is it a favorite...because the food is delicious! It also happens to be very healthy minded with a menu that boasts not only an award winning gluten free menu, but attention to detail when it comes to healthy cooking. Their menu posts the nutritional stats on many of their dishes so you can choose wisely while at the same time be sure that there is no hidden fat or calories in the dish. And, it is a BYOB which always makes me happy! This dessert was a nice, fresh, surprising way to end our fabulous meal. It was so easy that I decided to recreate it at home.

Sweet Mission Figs

3 mission figs

pine nuts

agave nectar

Pour agave nectar on plate in a swirling fashion.  Arrange figs and nuts on top.  Pour more agave nectar on top. (agave nectar is similar to honey, but a little sweeter, thinner and lighter. It is a good alternative to sweeteners like sugar or articifial sweeteners)

Enjoy!  Happy eating!!