I like the simplicity of this vanilla cupcakes recipe. Almond extract can be used in place of the vanilla if desired.

Easy Vanilla Cupcakes recipe – 182 calories

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar (or 3/4 cup Splenda)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk (or half and half cream)
1/2 cup shortening
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla (or 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract)

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar with the flour, salt and baking powder until combined.
3. Add in the milk or shortening cream, eggs and vanilla
4. Beat on medium speed of an electric mixer until just blended, scraping the bowl constantly. If the batter is too thick, you may add in a few more tablespoons milk or cream.
5. Pour into paper-lined muffin tins, filling under just three-quarters full.
6. Bake for about 20-22 minutes or until the cupcakes are done (be careful not to overbake as the cupcakes will become dry).
7. Immediately remove from the pans and let cool completely before frosting.

Servings: 1

Nutritional information for one serving:
Vanilla cupcakes calories: 182
Total fat: 6.7 g
Cholesterol: 22 mg
Sodium: 193 mg
Total carbs: 28 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 2.4 g
Weight Watchers points: 4

Photo credit: Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake

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• Banana Blueberry Muffins recipe – 174 calories
• Sugar-Free Biscotti recipe – 111 calories
• Creamy Lemon Squares recipe – 106 calories
• Low Calorie Biscotti recipe – 90 calories
• Rice Crispy Bars recipe – 181 calories

This cake is delicious, especially served while it’s still warm. It’s wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Granny Smith Apple Cake recipe – 182 calories

Ingredients:
3 medium granny smith apples, cored, peeled, and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Butter a 9×13 inch baking pan; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugars, flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.
4. Add the apples, eggs, applesauce and remaining butter to the mixture; stir until combined (the batter will be very chunky).
5. Spoon the batter into the buttered pan, smoothing with a spatula.
6. Bake for about 40-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean). Serve warm.

Servings: 16

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 182
Calories from fat: 33
Total fat: 3.7g
Cholesterol: 34mg
Sodium: 183mg
Total carbs: 35.5g
Dietary fiber: 1.3g
Protein: 2.5g
WW points: 4

Photo credit: Chef Itchy Monkey

You might also like these fruit recipes:

• Spinach and Pecan Salad recipe – 159 calories
• Pear Bran Muffins recipe – 158 calories
• Honey-Roasted Raisins and Nuts recipe – 186 calories
• Banana Orange Muffins recipe – 143 calories
• Apple Cheese Bites recipe – 162 calories

Cinnamon-Scented Devil’s Food Cupcakes recipe – 183 calories

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups cups unsweetened cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/4 cups freshly brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature
2 large egg yolks
2 large eggs
3/4 cup oil
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Line some muffin tins with paper liners.
3. In a large bowl, sift together the cocoa, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
4. In a very large bowl, combine the sugar, buttermilk, coffee, egg yolks, eggs, oil and vanilla; beat well with an electric mixer for about 2-3 minutes (until thoroughly combined).
5. Add in the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for about 4 minutes (until blended), occasionally scraping the bowl.
6. Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
7. Spoon the batter evenly between the prepared muffin tins.
8. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes (or until puffed).
9. Transfer the cupcakes to wire racks and cool completely before frosting.

Servings: 40 cupcakes

Nutritional information for one cupcake:
Calories: 183
Calories from fat: 63
Total fat: 7.1g
Cholesterol: 21mg
Total carbs: 30.4g
Fiber: 1.8g
Protein: 2.5g
WW points: 4

Photo credit: Redsie

You might also like these dessert recipes:

• Chocolate Rice Noodle Haystacks recipe – 149 calories
• Cream Cheese Brownies recipe – 170 calories
• Coffee Squares recipe – 134 calories

Light Tiramisu recipe – 151 calories

Ingredients:
8 inches angel food cake
1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese
3 tablespoons coffee liqueur
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 (8 ounce) container frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
1/4 cup fat free sour cream
1/4 cup strong black coffee
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur

Preparation:
1. To prepare the filling: in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons coffee liqueur and powdered sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and blended. Stir in 1/2 cup of the whipped dessert topping and set aside.
2. To prepare the frosting: in a medium bowl combine the remaining whipped dessert topping, 2 tablespoons liqueur and sour cream. Set aside.
3. Cut the angel food cake horizontally into 3 layers, using a serrated knife. Place 1 layer on a serving platter and the remaining 2 layers on large dinner plates. With a skewer, poke holes in the tops of all 3 layers.
4. In a small bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur and strong coffee; drizzle over all the 3 cake layers.
5. Spread the bottom cake layer with half of the filling. Add the middle layer, spread with the remaining filling and finally add the top layer. Frost the cake with the frosting.
6. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before serving.

Servings: 16

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 151
Calories from fat: 23
Total fat: 2.7g
Cholesterol: 8mg
Total carbs: 25.3g
Fiber: 0.1g
Protein: 3.5g
WW points: 3

You might also like these dessert recipes:

• Cream Cheese Brownies recipe – 170 calories
• Apple Cheese Bites recipe – 162 calories
• Chow Mein Noodles Honey Nut Crunch Bars recipe – 180 calories

Here’s a very simple and easy to make chocolate chip cake with real coffee. It’s crispy on the outside and has a cake-like texture on the inside. I love to eat these squares warm, with a glass of cold milk.

Coffee Squares recipe – 134 calories

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup warm coffee
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cream the butter or margarine with the sugar.
3. Add the egg and mix, then blend in the rest of the ingredients (except the chocolate chips).
4. Spread into a greased 9×13″ baking pan.
5. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
6. Bake for about 30-35 minutes.
7. Let cool on a wire rack, then cut into squares.

Servings: 24 squares

Nutritional information for one square:
Calories: 134
Calories from fat: 46
Total fat: 5.1g
Cholesterol: 8mg
Total carbs: 21.6g
Fiber: 0.4g
Protein: 1.3g
WW points: 3

Photo credit: Marg

Tags: recipe, cooking, diet, calories, coffee, squares, bars, cake, dessert, baked, chocolate, chips

Viennese Tarts recipe – 133 calories

Ingredients:
4 ounces all-purpose flour
4 ounces butter or margarine
1 ounce powdered sugar

Preparation:
1. Mix together the butter and sugar until creamy.
2. Add the flour and beat together well.
3. Put the mix into a piping bag and pipe into small paper fairy cake cases.
4. Top with a glace cherry if you wish.
5. Place on a baking sheet and cook for about 10-15 minutes in a medium heat oven (until lightly golden in color).
6. Allow to cool before serving.

Servings: 10

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 133
Calories from fat: 83
Total fat: 9.3g
Cholesterol: 24mg
Total carbs: 11.6g
Protein: 1.3g

Photo credit: kiwidutch

Technorati tags: recipe, cooking, diet, calories, Viennese, tarts, Austrian, dessert, cake