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Tag: Desserts

  • Healthy Halloween Desserts Ranked

    Halloween is synonymous with spooky thrills, chilling decorations, and, of course, a sugar rush! It’s estimated that 94% of Americans indulge in candy, chocolate, and sweet treats during the season. But if you’re working towards weight loss goals, this time of year can feel a bit daunting. Navigating the endless array of tempting treats can be tricky, but it doesn’t mean you have to skip out on all the fun.

    Ranking Halloween Desserts for Health

    Hers took on the challenge of ranking 38 Halloween-themed desserts from Allrecipes.com, from the healthiest to the least healthy. This ranking can help you make informed choices that align with your health goals. The nutritional factors considered included calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat, sugar, protein, and fiber.

    Key findings reveal that Halloween cookies often top the healthier dessert list, offering easier portion control. Conversely, candy apples can be deceptively high in calories and sugar. Pumpkin-flavored desserts vary widely in their nutritional value, so it’s always wise to check the specifics before diving in.

    The Healthiest and Unhealthiest Treats

    • **Healthiest:** Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Soft Pumpkin Cookies, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Black Magic Cake, Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies, Peanut Butter Spider Cookies, Spooky Witches’ Fingers, Spooky Cherry Eyeball Pies, The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
    • **Mid-Range:** Salted Pumpkin Caramels, Halloween Mini Cheesecakes, Iced Pumpkin Cookies, Best Ever Popcorn Balls, Pumpkin Empanadas, Caramel Apples, Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Homemade Fresh Pumpkin Pie, Marshmallow Popcorn Balls, Pumpkin Cupcakes, Caramels, Kitty Litter Cake, Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll, Creepy Halloween Skull Cupcakes, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, Double Layer Pumpkin Pie, Halloween Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, Apple Hand Pies, Quick and Easy Dirt Cups, Pumpkin-Black Cocoa Swirl Cake, Deviled Blondies, Halloween Zombie Guts Cinnamon Rolls, Pumpkin Fudge, Chocolate Dipped Apples, Pumpkin Oreo Cupcakes, Dirt Cake.
    • **Unhealthiest:** The Best Caramel Apples, Dirt Cake.

    Nutrition Breakdown: Calories, Carbs, and More

    When looking at specific nutritional categories, ‘Dirt Cake’ stands out with 827 calories and 23g of saturated fat, while ‘The Best Caramel Apples’ pack a whopping 113g of sugar. On the healthier end, ‘Spooky Witches’ Fingers’ are remarkably low in calories (72) and carbs (8g), with only 2g of sugar. Several desserts, including ‘Salted Pumpkin Caramels’ and ‘Best Ever Popcorn Balls,’ contain minimal protein or fiber.

    Tips for a Healthier Halloween

    1. **Start with a healthy meal:** Before indulging, eat a nutritious meal to manage your appetite, making a small treat satisfying.
    2. **Take a walk:** Enjoy the crisp autumn air and decorations with a post-meal walk, which can help lower blood sugar levels.
    3. **Opt for fun-size treats:** Practice mindful portion control by choosing smaller, fun-size options and checking actual serving sizes on nutrition labels.

    By following these tips and consulting the dessert rankings, you can enjoy the spirit of Halloween while staying mindful of your health goals. Remember, moderation and informed choices are key to a happy and healthy holiday season.

    Which Halloween dessert are you most excited to try, and which ones will you be skipping? Let us know your favorites and your strategies for a healthy Halloween in the comments below!

  • 8 Black Pastry Chefs for National Dessert Day

    Got a sweet tooth? Then mark your calendars for October 14th – it’s National Dessert Day! This is the perfect excuse to indulge in all things sweet. To celebrate, we’re shining a spotlight on eight incredibly talented Black pastry chefs who are whipping up delicious treats and making a significant mark in the culinary world. Get ready to be inspired (and maybe a little hungry!).

    Meet the Sweetest Creators

    1. **1. Camari Mick:** Influenced by her Jamaican roots, Camari Mick, a renowned pastry chef in New York City, infuses Afro-Caribbean flavors into her creations, like jerk ice cream and rum cake. She’s transitioning from her roles at Musket Room and Raf’s to launch L’Atelier Ébène, focusing on savory dishes with a Caribbean twist.
    2. **2. Jocelyn Delk Adams:** Through her “Grandbaby Cakes,” Jocelyn Delk Adams honors her grandmother’s legacy by modernizing family recipes. Her comforting and visually appealing desserts, like Butter Pecan Butter Swim Biscuits and No Bake Kool Aid Pie, bring a sweet touch to tradition.
    3. **3. Vallery Lomas:** A winner of “The Great American Baking Show,” Vallery Lomas is the first Black winner of the competition. Her food blog and Instagram showcase innovative takes on traditional dishes, including a unique Hummingbird Cake and Cranberry Cornbread.
    4. **4. Jatee Kearsley:** Owner of Je T’aime Patisserie in Brooklyn, Jatee Kearsley specializes in Parisian-style pastries made with fresh, unprocessed ingredients. Inspired by a trip to Paris, she offers delights like fruit danishes and pineapple rhumm baba.
    5. **5. Benjamina Ebuehi:** After reaching the quarter-finals of “The Great British Bake Off,” Benjamina Ebuehi has become a respected food stylist and cookbook author. She uses her baking passion to support Luminary Bakery, empowering women facing hardship.
    6. **6. Bree:** Known for her vibrant cake pop art on Instagram’s “Bree Bakes,” Bree creates themed mini desserts that are as fun as they are delicious. Her creativity shines through seasonal designs and cakes molded into unique shapes.
    7. **7. Daphane DeLone:** Working as a pastry chef at Connie and Ted’s in West Hollywood, Daphane DeLone is famous for her in-house made whoopee pies. Her current menu features a delightful Lemon and Lavender Whoopie Pie with buttercream filling.
    8. **8. Tiara Bennett:** During the pandemic, Tiara Bennett started The Pastry Box to bring joy to her neighbors. This initiative blossomed into a bakery in 2023, making her the first Black-owned restaurant in Manhattan’s East Village in 25 years.

    These eight chefs represent just a fraction of the incredible talent within the Black culinary community. Their dedication, creativity, and passion for pastry are truly inspiring, especially as we celebrate National Dessert Day. Each one brings a unique flavor and story to their craft, making their creations not just delicious but also meaningful.

    Which of these talented pastry chefs are you most excited to try? Have you tasted any of their creations? Let us know your favorites in the comments below!

  • Cold Stone Creamery’s Fall Flavors: Churro & Cornbread!

    Fall is officially here, and Cold Stone Creamery is serving up a serious dose of nostalgia with their latest limited-edition flavors! Get ready to scoop up the sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness of a classic churro and the comforting taste of cornbread, all in one delicious ice cream experience.

    Caramel Carnival Churro Creation

    First up is the Caramel Carnival Churro Creation. This flavor is designed to transport you straight to your favorite fairground, capturing that perfect churro taste. It’s loaded with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, gooey caramel, and crunchy sugar crystals, making it the ultimate comfort treat.

    Courtney Maxedon, VP of Marketing and Digital Strategy at Kahala Brands (Cold Stone’s parent company), shared the inspiration: “Our goal was to create something that brings you back to the fun and flavor of the fair. Carnivals are about indulgence, and that’s what these flavors deliver.”

    Fan Favorite: Cornbread is My Jam Returns

    Joining the churro delight is the return of a beloved fall favorite: Cornbread is My Jam. This unique creation perfectly blends the sweet and savory notes of fall. Imagine honey cornbread ice cream mixed with actual cornbread pieces, drizzled with honey, and studded with fresh blueberries. It’s a taste of home in every bite!

    Maxedon added, “These flavors are meant to transport you. Whether you’re a churro lover or all about cornbread, we’ve got something for you.”

    Get Them Before They’re Gone!

    Both the Caramel Carnival Churro Creation and Cornbread is My Jam are available now at Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide. But don’t wait too long – these delicious fall flavors are only here until November 18th. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season!

    Which of Cold Stone’s new fall flavors are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!