38 Light Desserts That’ll Hit the Spot

Read Time: 12 mins

38 Light Desserts That’ll Hit the Spot2/38 Applesauce Spice Cupcakes 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I began making these moist cupcakes in grade school and still bake them today. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana We also have one more recommendation for you. Try these Greek doughnuts which are fluffy, bite-sized, and fried to perfection! 3/38 Mocha Meringue Sandwich Cookies Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These crisp, chewy cookies can

be made any size you choose

be made any size you choose. They’re also great with a variety of fillings—try making them with fruit preserves. —Marie Valdes, Brandon, FL 4/38 Frozen Banana Cereal Pops 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Frozen Banana Cereal Pops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 8 pops Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll ’em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia 5/38 Peach Upside-Down Cake 43 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Peach Upside-Down Cake Recipe photo by Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Folks have been flipping over this peach upside-down cake for generations. This dessert is very popular with my family and guests. —Terri Kirschner, Carlisle, Indiana 6/38 Banana Chocolate Cake 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This light-as-air chocolate cake has a yummy banana flavor. It’s scrumptious as is, but you can also dress it up with nuts or light frostings. —Tina Bellows, Racine, Wisconsin 7/38 Fluffy Key Lime Pie 150 Reviews Test Kitchen

It’s low in fat, sugar and fuss

Approved Fluffy Key Lime Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a taste of paradise, try this no-bake Key lime pie recipe. It’s low in fat, sugar and fuss. It truly is the best Key lime pie recipe ever! —Frances VanFossan, Warren, Michigan 8/38 Grilled Honey-Balsamic Glazed Fruit 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings (1/2 cup glaze) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with

a sweet and tangy sauce

a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I’m always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington 9/38 Pear Crumble 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pear Crumble Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: ORIGINALLY a pear crumble pie, I shortened this to a crumble when I often was too short of time to make a pie crust. I’ve also found canned pears work as well as fresh, so that makes it even easier to prepare.-Kezia Sullivan, Sackets Harbor, New York

It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy

10/38 Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 11/38 Lemon Pound Cake 47 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Lemon Pound Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

This lemon pound cake is one of my favorites!

Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I’m always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This lemon pound cake is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California 12/38 Cranberry Stuffed Apples 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry Stuffed Apples Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 10 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts add a homey autumn flavor to these stuffed apples, while the slow cooker does

most of the work

most of the work. —Graciela Sandvigen, Rochester, New York 13/38 Sonoran Sunset Watermelon Ice 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Sonoran Sunset Watermelon Ice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you didn’t think watermelon and cilantro could go together in a dessert, this recipe will be a pleasant surprise! Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and a sprig of cilantro on top for extra flair. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 14/38 Pineapple Upside-Down Cake 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 50 min

Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A classic recipe like this never goes out of style! It’s delicious with the traditional pineapple, but try it with peaches or a combination of cranberries and orange. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas 15/38 Sour Cream Bavarian 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings (1-1/4 cups sauce) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Are you ‘sweet on’ someone who’s counting calories? Show them you care with this light and refreshing dessert. It’s sinfully creamy and so pretty with the tart raspberry sauce. No one would

ever guess that it’s fat-free!

ever guess that it’s fat-free! —Judi Janczewski, Berwyn, Illinois 16/38 Apple Pie Oatmeal Dessert 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Apple Pie Oatmeal Dessert Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Warm and comforting oatmeal desserts bring back memories of times spent with my family around the kitchen table. I serve this dish with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream as a topper. —Carol Greer, Earlville, Illinois 17/38 Frozen Yogurt 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Frozen Greek Vanilla Yogurt Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Total Time 30 min Servings 2-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Total Time 30 min Servings 2-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It’s so simple and easy to make your own frozen Greek yogurt, you might even want to get the kids in on the fun. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 18/38 Ginger Plum Tart 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ginger Plum Tart Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sweet cravings, begone: This free-form plum tart is done in only 35 minutes. It’s extra awesome when served warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 19/38

It’s as quick as a boxed cake mix but it’s a healthier dessert choice

Healthy Apple Crisp 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This easy dish is a tradition in my family. It’s as quick as a boxed cake mix but it’s a healthier dessert choice. It’s ideal in fall when it seems that everyone has a bag or two of fresh apples to give away! —Terri Wetzel, Roseburg, Oregon 20/38 Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 10 pops Go to

—Joan Buehnerkemper, Teutopolis, Illinois 22/38 Root Beer Float Pie 99

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 21/38 Apple-Spice Angel Food Cake 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I dressed up an angel food cake mix with some nuts, spice and applesauce to make an easy and light dessert. I serve it with a dollop of whipped topping mixed with a half cup of sour cream. —Joan Buehnerkemper, Teutopolis, Illinois 22/38 Root Beer Float Pie 99

And you don’t even need to use an oven!

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Root Beer Float Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don’t even need to use an oven! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania 23/38 Carrot Cookies 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Carrot Cookies Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These cookies are both flavorful and colorful. The shredded carrots add

nice bright flecks of orange color

nice bright flecks of orange color. 24/38 Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine 25/38 Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe photo by Jena Carlin for Taste of Home Total Time 30

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• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

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