Guilt-Free Valentine’s Day Desserts

By Kelly Turner on February 5th, 2010

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There is one thing I think of when I think of Valentine’s Day…

Chocolate.

And my boyfriend. But that’s just because he’s usually the one giving me the chocolate. And because I love him, too, I guess.

Funny how Valentine’s Day, a day to celebrate love and sexy time, is riddled with treats designed to make us feel as unattractive as possible after we eat them. We push away our significant other as they try to get intimate after the long V-Day because our stomachs are so full of sweets we look pregnant, and we have a ring of chocolate around out mouths a five-year-old ice cream addict would be proud of.

This doesn’t have to be you this year. While I can’t stop your date from giving you armloads of candy, I can arm you with some sweet treats that won’t ruin your figure, or the mood, that will taste so good, you’ll forget about all that chocolate covered caramel you just received.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

It’s a little cliche, but you still get your chocolate fix with the mind easing addition of fruit. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Buy microwavable melting chocolate at the grocery store (or go old school and melt down some chocolate chips in a sauce pan.) Wash and dry a carton of strawberries, and leave the stem on. Dip the strawberries into the melted chocolate and place on the wax paper. Place baking sheet in fridge until chocolate sets, or you are ready to serve.

Valentine’s Day Meringue (Makes 25-30 cookies)

Don’t be intimidated by meringues, these are easy. Plus, these little guys are only 26 calories a pop and have zero fat!

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• Red food coloring
• Red sprinkles

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating egg whites until you form soft peaks. Add sugar a tablespoon at a time, beating well. Mix until stiff and glossy. Add a few drops of red food coloring and stir until pink. Using a small heart-shaped cookie cutter, spoon the meringue inside the cookie cutter, and push down with the spoon as you lift the cookie cutter, then repeat for each cookie. Bake for one hour. Turn off oven, and leave in the oven for 2-3 hours.

Strawberry Shortcake (serves 4)

Super simple, super light and fun to feed to each other.

4 mini angel food cakes
1 pound strawberries, sliced and hulled
1 cup fat free whipped topping (Cool-Whip is a safe choice)
Fat free chocolate syrup (just a drizzle)

Place cakes on four plates. Top with strawberries. Top with whipped topping. Drizzle with chocolate sauce. Doesn’t get much easier than that.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to wreck your waistline. Try these light desserts without sacrificing taste. Remember, you have lingerie to wear later.