3 Easy Fruit and Vegetable-Based Desserts

Are you bored in your apartment and need something to get out of the quarantine funk? Well, you’re not alone. Pass the time baking sweet, healthy and simple to make desserts! These recipes include fruits and vegetables, allowing you to have a healthy treat, while still getting that sweet flavor that you love!

Strawberry Sheet Cake  

What You’ll Need:

• 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour 
• 1 cup oat flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• ½ teaspoon baking soda 
• ¼ teaspoon salt 
• ½ cup (1 stick) melted unsalted butter 
• ½ cup plain whole milk yogurt 
• 1 cup diced strawberries 
• ¾ cup honey or maple syrup 
• 4 Eggs 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

For the frosting:

• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• ½ cup seedless strawberry jam 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
• ½ cup powdered sugar (optional) 
• Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional) 

What You’ll Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick spray or butter. 
2. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl. After the yolks are fully broken, stir in and combine the rest of the ingredients: all-purpose flour, oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, butter, plain whole milk yogurt, strawberries, honey or maple syrup, eggs and vanilla extract. 
3. Add batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
4. Bake for 22-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean after inserted into the center. Let cake cool completely and begin to make the frosting. 

For the frosting:

1. To a medium bowl, add softened butter, vanilla, jam, lemon juice and powdered sugar (optional). Use an electric mixer, start on low speed and beat frosting until smooth. 
2. Spread frosting on top of cooled cake. Add diced strawberries (optional), cut and serve! 

Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting 

What You’ll Need: 

• 2 Eggs 
• 1 1/2 cups grated carrots 
• 1/4 cup canola or olive oil 
• 1/4 cup applesauce 
• 1/4 cup honey 
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 cup golden raisins 

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 6 ounces softened cream cheese (room temperature) 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 3 tablespoons honey 

What You’ll Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8×8 pan with nonstick spray. 
2. To a medium bowl add eggs, carrots, oil, applesauce and honey and combine. 
3. Add flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and raisins to the bowl and fold together. Do not overwork the flour. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. 
4. Bake for 26-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely and begin to make the cream cheese frosting. 

For the cream cheese frosting:

1. In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, vanilla extract and honey with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. 
2. Spread frosting over cooled cake and cut into squares. Then serve and enjoy your treat!

Fresh Cranberry Orange Bread 

What You’ll Need: 

• 1 cup cranberries 
• 1 large orange 
• 3/4 cup orange juice 
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1 cup whole wheat flour 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten 
• 1/4 cup maple syrup 
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled 

What You’ll Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a loaf pan with nonstick spray. 
2. Place the cranberries into a blender and transfer to a large bowl. Grate the zest of the orange with a fine microplane into the bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl: orange juice, all-purpose flour, wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, egg, maple syrup and unsalted butter and stir gently to combine. 
3. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
4. Let the loaf cool completely, then slice and serve! Top loaf with butter or cream cheese for extra sweetness. 

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