For those seeking healthier indulgences, low-glycemic alternatives and moisture-optimized baking techniques help manage weight and cravings.
Baking cookies could be considered as much a science as an art. The smallest alteration in the ingredients or failure to follow directions may produce a product much different from the one intended. Read the recipe carefully before beginning, and make sure you have everything you need before you start mixing the dough.
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Cashews offer several health benefits, although many avoid eating them because of their fat content. The fact is that cashews contain less fat than many other nuts, and what they do contain is primarily unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health.
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A dollop of whipped cream on top of a piece of pie is decadently delicious, but really bad for your waistline. A single tablespoon of whipping cream has more than 50 calories and 5.5 grams of fat; 3.4 grams are saturated fat, which is a hazard for your heart health.
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Although crackers may sound like a healthy snack option, you must choose the right varieties to keep your snack low in fat and calories. Also, you must control your portion sizes to avoid possible health complications such as weight gain, high blood pressure and water retention.
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Wax paper is a mainstay in many homes, and it serves numerous purposes in the kitchen. Invented by Thomas Edison, wax paper, or waxed paper, works well for wrapping food items for storing. It’s also handy for covering open plates or bowls of food in a microwave to prevent splattering.
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Popcorn is a low-calorie, wholesome food that's high in fiber. Popcorn is actually a good snack choice when eaten plain without the traditional butter flavoring. It's a healthy snack that can be eaten daily when prepared with low-fat ingredients.
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Raw cacao nibs are pieces of the beans from the cacao plant. The seed is the source of the cocoa powder and cocoa butter in chocolate. Commercial chocolate bars are made by roasting the cacao beans and heating the chocolate paste above 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Ice cream is a dessert treat you have probably enjoyed since childhood. On a hot day, a cool dish or cone of ice cream can be just the ticket. However, many types of ice cream tend to be high in calories and fat.
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Simple buttercream icing is typically flavored with vanilla extract to add something beyond the sugar and butter flavors, but the vanilla extract can be omitted or substituted for a different flavor. You can still use the icing to top cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.
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Underdone, soggy pie crust can put a damper on an otherwise tasty dessert. Crusts get soggy because the filling, usually fruit, releases juices, keeping the dough from getting crispy even as the pie bakes; pie shells under creamy custards also may remain soggy after baking.
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A popular college student cuisine, Ramen noodles are easy to make and inexpensive to buy. Traditionally cooked in a pot of boiling water and combined with the enclosed high-sodium seasoning packet, you eat the noodles as a soup or drain them and enjoy as a pasta dish.
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Sliced almonds make quick work of adding crunch, protein and flavor to baked goods, salads and meats. While you can purchase a bag of sliced almonds at the grocery store, it may be more economical to purchase whole almonds and slice them yourself, as needed.
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Baking brownies in a slow cooker such as a Crock-Pot frees up your oven. It also allows you to make a fix-and-forget dessert via the same technique that allows you to prepare roasts and stews with little muss and fuss. Crock-Pot brownies feature a gooey center, similar to chocolate lava cake, and a crunchy crust.
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Roasted, sliced almonds offer a healthy and filling alternative to the many unhealthy snacks that might tempt you throughout the day. Try a handful of roasted sliced almonds as a quick snack or as a topper for a fresh garden salad, fruit or cereal.
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Chocolate is derived from cocoa beans and has been consumed in a variety of forms for countless generations by indigenous peoples, particularly natives of South American countries.
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While using vegetable oil is a healthier option than butter in a store-bought cake mix, you can substitute one for the other if your bottle of oil is empty. Just replace the vegetable oil with melted butter.
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For some people, baking a perfect cookie is a difficult task that requires careful consideration and ample practice. While some people prefer cookies that are thin and crispy, others like them soft and chewy, while still others prefer a combination of the two.
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Adding a little cocoa to your child’s cup of milk or sprinkling a little bit on a piece of fruit may encourage your child to eat healthy foods he may not want to eat. Chocolate can be part of a healthy and balanced.
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You might have heard recently that microwave popcorn isn't safe because it contains chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer. The most common rumor is that it is associated with lung cancer, but in reality, there's no direct link.
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When you're trying to stay healthy, lose weight and get in great shape, it can be difficult to determine which snacks are healthy and which aren't. Apples with peanut butter are actually a very healthy snack to eat any time of the day.
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