QUICK and HEALTHY DESSERTS from eatingwell.com

Pineapple-Raspberry Parfaits

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• 2 8-ounce containers (2 cups) nonfat peach yogurt
• 1/2 pint fresh raspberries, (about 1 1/4 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh, frozen or canned pineapple chunks

PREPARATION

1. Divide and layer yogurt, raspberries and pineapple into 4 glasses.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 109 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 2 mg cholesterol; 23 g carbohydrates; 5 g protein; 3 g fiber; 58 mg sodium

Blueberry & White Chocolate Chunk Ginger Cookies

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup oats, quick-cooking or old-fashioned (not instant)
• 2 ounces white chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup dried blueberries, (see Tip)
• 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, chopped (see Tip)

PREPARATION

1. Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 375°F.
2. Whisk flour, wheat germ, baking soda, salt and ground ginger in a small bowl. Whisk egg, brown sugar, oil and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients; stir to combine. Add oats, chocolate, blueberries and crystallized ginger; stir just to combine. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto 2 ungreased baking sheets, 1 1/2 inches apart.
3. Bake the cookies until puffed and barely golden around the edges, switching the pans back to front and top to bottom halfway through, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on the pans for 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

• Tip: Dried cranberries or cherries will also work in place of blueberries; all can be found, along with crystallized ginger, in the baking, dried fruit or produce sections of many supermarkets and natural-foods stores.

NUTRITION

Per cookie: 115 calories; 4 g fat ( 1 g sat , 2 g mono ); 9 mg cholesterol; 17 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 84 mg sodium

Cherries with Ricotta & Toasted Almonds

• 3/4 cup frozen pitted cherries
• 2 tablespoons part-skim ricotta
• 1 tablespoon toasted slivered almonds

PREPARATION

1. Heat cherries in the microwave on High until warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Top the cherries with ricotta and almonds.

TIPS & NOTES

• Healthy Heart Variation: To reduce saturated fat even further, use nonfat ricotta in place of the reduced-fat ricotta.
• 133 calories, 0 g saturated fat.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 150 calories; 6 g fat ( 2 g sat , 3 g mono ); 10 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein;3 g fiber; 39 mg sodium