A lot of people are getting more health conscious these days, especially at the holidays. This is a good sign that more people are now aware of the benefits of being in good physical shape. One of the essential things a person must consider to have a healthy lifestyle is eating a balanced diet. But with the holiday season, you can’t just sit around and forget about the sumptuous desserts. You can still enjoy the festivity of the season by choosing a low-fat holiday dessert.

Gingerbread cake

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Thanks Bon Appetit for the great ideas!

Here are some low-fat holiday dessert recipes that you can enjoy:

Concord Grape Cornmeal Cake

Concord grape cornmeal cake recipe

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350°. Butter an 8x8x2-inch baking dish. Whisk 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Whisk eggs, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla in a large bowl to combine. Add oil and 2 tablespoons melted butter; whisk to blend. Whisk in flour mixture, then buttermilk. Stir in honey, being careful not to fully incorporate.
• Pour batter into prepared dish. Toss half of grapes with a large pinch of flour in a medium bowl until well coated. Scatter over cake batter.
• Bake until cake turns light golden brown around the edges and starts to set, 15-17 minutes. Remove from oven and scatter remaining grapes over cake. Continue to bake until top is golden brown and cake springs back when pressed, 20-25 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack. Let cool slightly in pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Poached Apples with Vanilla Yogurt

Poached apples with vanilla yogurt

Preparation

• Combine wine, sugar, orange juice, orange peel, lemon peel, cinnamon stick, star anise, and 2 cups water in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add apples; reduce heat to low and simmer, occasionally rotating apples, until tender when pierced with a sharp knife, 25–30 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer apples to a plate and set aside. Strain poaching liquid in pan into a small saucepan, discarding solids in strainer. Set saucepan over medium-high heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until poaching liquid is syrupy and reduced to about 3/4 cup, 10–15 minutes (syrup will thicken as it cools).
• Combine yogurt and honey in a small bowl. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; whisk until the yogurt sauce is smooth and well blended.
• Divide yogurt sauce among plates. Place warm apples on top. Drizzle syrup over.

Holiday desserts can be very tempting. However, you can’t just give in to your cravings and ruin your diet. It is very important to be selective and have self-discipline all throughout the holiday. You can still indulge yourself with a healthy treat but see to it that it’s low-fat and nutritious.

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