7 Delightful Desserts Under 300 Calories
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jezpage/
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jezpage/

There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cakes, cookies, and confections to ruin a person’s diet. Many resolutions and fitness plans have been derailed at the sight of a piece of pie or a warm plate full of cookies. A way around banning a food outright is to look for modified recipes that lower the calorie count or incorporate better ingredients. To keep your health goals in sight, here are seven scrumptious desserts under 300 calories.

1. Paleo coconut macaroons

Trying out the ever-popular Paleo diet this year? With boundless communities online, creative chefs, bloggers, and bakers have created recipes so that even desserts aren’t eliminated. Even if you aren’t on the “caveman diet,” at only 160 calories and 12 grams of fat per cookie, this recipe is well worth trying. It yields approximately eight cookies.

Ingredients :

  • 2 large egg whites

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, preferably Celtic

  • 2 1/2 cups coconut flakes

Directions : In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg whites and honey with a fork. Briefly whisk in the salt, then stir in the coconut flakes. Place the bowl in refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fill a 2-tablespoon scoop with batter, heaping full. Using your hand, firmly pack the batter into the scoop so it is level. Release the batter onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake until the macaroons are golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Let cool for 1 hour and serve.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/etringita/
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/etringita/

2. Deep dark chocolate biscotti

Each piece of biscotti weighs in at 94 calories and 3.5 grams of fat, so you could indulge in three of these sweet Italian cookies and stay under 300 calories for your dessert. The recipe yields 30 cookies.

Ingredients :

  • 9.5 ounces whole wheat flour (about 2 cups)

  • 2 tablespoons flaxseed

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

  • 2 large egg whites

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips

  • 3/4 cup unsalted almonds

Directions : Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, flaxseed, soda, and salt in a bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Combine sugars, egg whites, and egg in a bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed for two minutes. Add vanilla; mix well. Add flour mixture to egg mixture; stir until combined. Fold in chocolate and almonds. Divide dough into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a 6-inch-long roll. Arrange rolls three inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pat to a 1-inch thickness. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 28 minutes or until firm.