Weighing In: Guilt-free Valentines Day Desserts

Each week, our own fitness fanatics Christina Monteleone and Sabrina Evans will explore the latest workout crazes, diet fads and dish out tips for healthy living. Managing your schoolwork is tough enough- let us take care of your health.

Whether you are baking for a special guy or your besties this Valentine’s Day, these low-calorie, low fat desserts will have you sneaking into the fridge for more –guilt free. 

Skinny Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients:

1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix
8 oz can of Diet Dr. Pepper
2 cups skim milk
1 8oz container of cool whip
1 8oz serving size Jell-O Fat free sugar-free instant cheesecake pudding mix

What to do:

1. Combine cake mix and Diet Dr. Pepper in bowl. Pour into (greased) pan.
2. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool completely.
3. Mix pudding and milk. When thickened, spread on cake.
4. Spread cool whip all over.

Rice Krispie Heart Pops

Ingredients:

½ cup Butter
1 Package of Mini Marshmallows
8 ½ cups of Rice Krispie Cereal (can use gluten-free Rice Krispie cereal)
24 Sticks (about 5 in. long)

What to do:

1. Melt butter in large pan over medium/low heat. Add marshmallows and melt completely.
2. Combine rice krispie cereal with butter/marshmallow mixture and mix.
3. Line a 9×13 in pan with wax paper, place rice krispie mixture and spread evenly.
4. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
5. Grease heart-shaped cookie cutter and begin to press down evenly on rice krispie. Take a stick and pierce the bottom of the heart.

Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients:

½ cup yogurt (or evaporated milk)
1 package of Dark Chocolate chips

What to do:

1. Bring yogurt or milk to a boil on medium/high heat
2. Pour on top of chocolate chips and mix. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes.
3. Dip each heart in chocolate sauce and spread evenly using a butter knife.
4. Place on lined baking sheets and place in refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes.

Heart-shaped Strawberries

Ingredients:

Strawberries
Chocolate Chips
Toothpicks

What to do:

1. Cut strawberries in half and remove stem
2. Place flat side downwards and stick toothpick to connect the two halves.
3. Dip in melted chocolate chips and remove toothpicks.
4. Place on lined baking sheet and place in refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

Photo by Christina Monteleone