Heart-Healthy Desserts

In honor of National Heart Health Month, check out these heart-healthy dessert recipes from Cleveland Clinic. Indulge your sweet tooth guilt free!

Dark Chocolate Frozen Banana Bites

by Cleveland Clinic

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 3 oz dark chocolate, 70% cocoa or greater
• 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso

Directions:

1. Slice banana into 16 quarter-inch slices.
2. Skewer each slice with two prong skewers and place on wax paper; freeze for one hour.
3. Create double boiler by placing metal bowl over saucepan with one inch of simmering water. Add chocolate, espresso coffee and stir continually until 3/4 melted.
4. Remove bowl from heat and continue stirring until completely melted.
5. Take banana slices from freezer and dip in chocolate until completely coated, allowing excess chocolate to drip off.
6. Place on wax paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
7.  Serve and enjoy!

Dark Chocolate & Cherry Brownies

by Cleveland Clinic

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray
• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup granular no-calorie sweetener
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup cherry preserves, sugar-free
• 1/3 cup water
• 5 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 large egg white
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper; coat with cooking spray.
3. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife.
4. Combine flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa, baking powder and salt in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Set aside.
5. Combine cherry preserves, water and oil in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.
6. Add preserves mixture to flour mixture; stir well. Add egg and egg white; stir until smooth. Stir in semisweet chocolate chips.
7. Scrape batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Winter Fruit Gratin

by Cleveland Clinic

Ingredients:

• Butter cooking spray (for vegan option, use a canola oil spray)
• 2 Bartlett pears, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups)
• 2 Gala apples, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups)
• 1 cup frozen cranberries
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar blend
• 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange liquor

Topping

• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar blend
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons trans-fat-free margarine, cut into small pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Lightly coat an 8-inch casserole with cooking spray.
2. Toss the pears, apples and frozen cranberries with the sugar blend and Grand Marnier in the prepared casserole.
3. In a small bowl, combine the oats, almonds, sugar blend, flour and cinnamon. With your fingers, work in the margarine to make a crumbly topping.
4. Sprinkle over the fruit and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the top is browned and the fruit is bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving in dessert bowls.