Cooking Tips: Top Your Cake With a Healthier Frosting
Submitted by
Doug
Happy birthday! Here's our gift to you—healthier frosting for your birthday cake! No, it's not a party trick, just some cooking tips to cut the fat and sugar from that yummy frosty topping.
If you're using canned frosting, get out your hand mixer and whip it up. Whipping the frosting increases its volume by incorporating air, so you are effectively using less frosting to cover the same amount of cake. Your eyes see a big mound of tastiness, but your hips see fewer calories. Of course, for this cooking tip to actually work, you have to make sure you don't use the entire can of frosting!
Or you could skip the canned frosting and make your own. Hand-whipped whipping cream is decadent ... and a little goes a long way. Add a touch of sugar and vanilla extract for flavor.
Try a Greek yogurt frosting. Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than other yogurts; even the low-fat and fat-free versions have an ice-cream-like consistency. Whisk together 1 cup Greek yogurt, a splash of vanilla yogurt, and ½ cup sifted powdered sugar. Place in the fridge to thicken, and then spread on cake or cupcakes. Get a little richer by beating in a bit of cream cheese with the yogurt.
Feeling adventurous? Here's a creative and healthy cooking tip! Mash up super nutritious sweet potatoes for a healthier frosting alternative. (Yes, sweet potatoes!) Just don't tell anyone there are vegetables included, and they'll eat it up. Here's a recipe:
If you're using canned frosting, get out your hand mixer and whip it up. Whipping the frosting increases its volume by incorporating air, so you are effectively using less frosting to cover the same amount of cake. Your eyes see a big mound of tastiness, but your hips see fewer calories. Of course, for this cooking tip to actually work, you have to make sure you don't use the entire can of frosting!
Or you could skip the canned frosting and make your own. Hand-whipped whipping cream is decadent ... and a little goes a long way. Add a touch of sugar and vanilla extract for flavor.
Try a Greek yogurt frosting. Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than other yogurts; even the low-fat and fat-free versions have an ice-cream-like consistency. Whisk together 1 cup Greek yogurt, a splash of vanilla yogurt, and ½ cup sifted powdered sugar. Place in the fridge to thicken, and then spread on cake or cupcakes. Get a little richer by beating in a bit of cream cheese with the yogurt.
Feeling adventurous? Here's a creative and healthy cooking tip! Mash up super nutritious sweet potatoes for a healthier frosting alternative. (Yes, sweet potatoes!) Just don't tell anyone there are vegetables included, and they'll eat it up. Here's a recipe:
- 1 cup cooked mashed sweet potato
- 2 oz softened cream cheese
- 2 tsp melted unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp lemon or orange juice
Submit!
