Dessert

I want something snacky!

Who hasn't said (or thought) that once in a while? And what hits the spot when you want something sweet better than dessert? Here are six yummy desserts to help you through the day, including Key Lime Cream Pie and Home-Style Gingerbread. Enjoy!

BAKED BANANA SPLITS

This was in an old Weight Watchers email (we're talking more than 10 years ago). The plan has changed several times since then.

This recipe begins, “Try substituting any flavored extract you like in the sauce for this creative take on banana splits. Almond, maple, rum, orange -- let your imagination run wild. They're perfect for Mother's Day!”

POINTS® Value: 4 (value from when this recipe was emailed); Servings | 4; Preparation Time: 15 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 sprays cooking spray

4 large banana(s), ripe, peeled

8 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice, drained

2 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, divided

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cups raspberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place bananas in pan.

Combine pineapple, 1 tablespoon of Splenda and cinnamon in a small bowl; pour over bananas. Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes. (Note: The canned pineapple is already sweet so omit the Splenda if you prefer.)

Meanwhile, combine ricotta, remaining tablespoon of Splenda and vanilla in another small bowl; set aside.

Place one baked banana in each of four individual serving bowls and top each with about 2 tablespoons of pineapple sauce and 1/4 cup of ricotta mixture. Top each with 1/4 cup of raspberries. Serve immediately.

Note: Okay, this is me talking. I personally would refrain from the Splenda, simply because I'm not a big fan of non-sugar (read not-quite-sure-it's-not-synthetic) sweeteners. But that's my preference. I would use sugar or no sweetener at all. It's your call here.

KEY LIME CREAM PIE

This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter’s Melissa Clark, and post on The TODAY Show’s website. The recipe begins, “Key lime pies are an iconic American dessert. But they're not always so easy to make. They've gotta be decadent but light, cool and creamy ... and this one has it all!

“Technique tip: Be sure to allow 2 hours after the pie is cooked to chill. The pie can be made ahead of time and left in the refrigerator up to one day.”

Cook Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 8

Special equipment: Electric mixer

View this here.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 11-12 sheets of crackers)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

4 large egg yolks

One (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest

2/3 cup fresh Key lime juice or regular lime juice (from 5 to 6 limes)

Pinch of fine sea salt

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

1 lime (optional, for garnish)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the center of the oven. In a large bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate and press crumb mixture into an even layer on the bottom and up the sides.

Place pie plate on a rimmed baking sheet and transfer to oven. Bake until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk egg yolks until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Turn the mixer down to low and slowly add the condensed milk, scraping sides if needed. Whisk in lime zest and juice until just combined.

Scrape the mixture into cooled pie shell, then return to oven and bake until filling has just set, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 2 hours and up to one day.

Just before serving, in the bowl of an electric mixer set with the whisk attachment, beat together cream and confectioners sugar until thick and fluffy. Dollop whipped cream on slices of the cooled pie. If you’d like, grate the zest from a lime over the whipped cream for a gorgeous green accent. Serve.

WATERMELON SORBET

This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 8 servings.

The recipe began, “This fresh sorbet is the perfect dessert for a tropical meal.”

Ingredients

1/2 cup plus 4 cups seeded and pureed watermelon

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 teaspoon lime zest

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup watermelon puree and sugar to simmer and remove it from heat. Add lime juice and zest and allow mixture to cool for 20 minutes. Add the 4 cups fresh watermelon puree to melon-lime mixture, then freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.

HOME-STYLE GINGERBREAD

This was originally from about.com, which has changed to dotdash.com. I've checked around, and can't locate this recipe on any of their channels; if anyone happens to find it there, please let me know!

This recipe began, “This wonderful ginger and cinnamon-scented cake is sure to bring a smile to your face, and it's the perfect dessert for a cold winter weekend. Top this warm gingerbread with a generous dollop of fresh sweetened whipped cream and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.”

Ingredients

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup molasses

3/4 cup hot water

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Grease & flour 9-inch square baking pan or spray with baking spray with flour. Heat oven to 325°. Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl; beat on low speed of electric mixer until ingredients are combined. Scrape sides of the bowl & increase mixer speed to medium; beat for about 3 minutes longer. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cut into squares and serve with freshly whipped cream. To serve leftover gingerbread, warm slightly in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds.

This gingerbread freezes well: cut into squares and wrap individually. Thaw & warm in the microwave just before serving.

CRAZY CAKE #2

This was from the February 11, 1979 issue of Parade Magazine

Ingredients

2 C sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

2 tsp. baking powder

1 C milk

1 tsp. baking soda

1 C cocoa

2 tsp. vanilla

1 C shortening or oil

3 C flour

1 C boiling water

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease & flour 9” square pan & 9" round pan. Into large mixing bowl, put all ingredients, except water, in order listed. Do not stir. Add boiling water & mix well. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake about 35 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool at least 1 hour before frosting.

To shape heart: Place square cake upside down on large tray. Place one corner at top in diamond shape. Cut round cake in half. Turn upside down. Straight sides will join top of diamond to form heart.

Buttercream Frosting for Crazy Cake

3/4 C butter or margarine, softened

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

6 T milk

1 1/2 pounds (6 3/4 C) sifted confectioners’ sugar

Place butter, milk, salt & vanilla in mixing bowl. Add 1/2 of the sugar, mixing slowly. Gradually add the rest of the sugar. Continue beating until mixture is light & fluffy. Frosting will be off-white. Color some for trim.

CRANBERRY-PECAN BAKED PEACHES

This also comes from the November 2014 issue of Heart Insight Magazine. It begins, “Fresh peaches are halved and baked with a tantalizing blend of dried cranberries and finely chopped pecans.” Serves 4; 2 peach halves and 2 tablespoons cranberry mixture per serving.

To view this online, go to http://heartinsight.heart.org/November-2014/Cranberry-Pecan-Baked-Peaches/.

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries

3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans

4 medium unpeeled peaches, nectarines, or pears, halved, pitted, and skin pierced in several places with a fork

2 teaspoons light tub margarine

1/2 teaspoon grated peeled gingerroot

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Lightly spray a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray. Pour the honey into the pan. Heat the pan in the oven for 2 minutes, or until the honey is slightly runny. Remove from the oven, tilting the pan and swirling so the honey lightly coats the bottom.

Sprinkle the cranberries and pecans in the pan. Place the peaches with the cut side down over the cranberry mixture. (Some of the mixture may not be covered.) Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the peaches are tender.

Arrange the peaches with the cut side up on a serving plate. Stir the margarine and gingerroot into the pan juices. Spoon the cranberry mixture into the cavities in the peaches. Spoon the pan juices over all. Serve warm or at room temperature.