Lightened Up Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

November 24, 2021 Amanda Plott

This Lightened Up Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie has been a family favorite for many years now, we're thinking maybe 10 years at least. The original is what we made this year for Christmas, mostly because I don't have my 'skinny' pantry on hand with my usual bag-of-tricks. But, the usual way that I make it is just as delicious and lightened up by at least half the calories and sugar too!

This pie is great for almost any holiday, Thanksgiving through New Years and back again. I honestly haven't come across anyone that didn't like it yet and it's more often than not, a recipe with legs. That is to say that the recipe is often requested by friends and family after they enjoy it!

Since this is such a rich flavored pie, I usually like to cut it into smaller slices. A little bit can go a long way, especially if you use a traditional bourbon!…

Giant Halloween Cookies

October 10, 2021 Amanda Plott

So far it seems that I have escaped the making of my chocolate ginger bat cookies this year. I think my daughter has been too busy with school and cheer that she hasn’t had the time to remember to ask me for them. And that’s totally find with me because that means that I have the time to make other Halloween inspired cookies - like these Giant Halloween Cookies!

These cookies are HUGE. I’m taking thick AND bigger than my spread out hand. That’s why I listed them as two servings per cookie. But, don’t let that stop you. These cookies are so good that you’ll want to eat the whole thing…

Pumpkin Banana Bread

September 24, 2021 Amanda Plott

A plain and simple banana bread that’s loaded up with pumpkin flavor and warm spices of the Fall season. And yes, I can post pumpkin recipes all I want now that it’s officially FALL. Even though I’ve already been posting them. Now you can have even more of them!

This is a very traditional banana bread that I’ve added pumpkin and spices to. That’s really all. There’s no nuts. No chocolate. No other added things. Just banana and pumpkin. Simple and as tasty as can be. This bread, just like any breakfast style bread, is perfect to make on the weekend and have ready for breakfast all week…

Pumpkin Butterscotch Instant Pot Molten Lava Cakes

September 6, 2021 Amanda Plott

Molten lava cakes are just one of those things that are hard to pass up. I mean who doesn't like a nice warm cake that’s filled with delicious melty goo? I know it’s not something I can say no to! Especially when it involves pumpkin and butterscotch! What’s better, is that these molten lava cakes are made in the instant pot for a quick and easy Fall friendly dessert.

These Pumpkin Butterscotch Instant Pot Molten Lava Cakes are not only easy to make, but they’re pretty tasty too! There’s plenty of pumpkin flavor in there to balance out the richness of the butterscotch…

Blueberry Poptart Stuffed Blended & Baked Oatmeal

July 29, 2021 Amanda Plott

Do you like pop tarts? Do you like blueberries? Then you’ve got to try this Blueberry Poptart Stuffed Blended & Baked Oatmeal! Okay, so I know that’s a mouthful, but it’s important to get the point across that these oats are blended into basically an oat flour and then used to make a cakelike or muffinlike base. So even if you aren’t a fan of oatmeal usually, you may like this blended option!

It’s a super clever and simple way to get some oatmeal in your life without the usual oatmeal texture. To make these oats even better, I stuffed them with blueberry goodness and topped it all off with a drizzle of glaze and some rainbow sprinkles, because sprinkles are life…

Blueberry Instant Pot Cobbler

July 10, 2021 Amanda Plott

Did you know that you can make cobbler in a pressure cooker? Turns out that you can and with only 5, yes 5 ingredients! That’s all it takes. This delicious Blueberry Instant Pot Cobbler takes less than 5 minutes of hands on time. The instant pot does all the rest of the work for you!

One of the best parts too is that it doesn’t even really heat up the house because you aren’t having to even touch or look at the oven. Which in the middle of summer here in Texas is a BIG deal. This cobbler has a very dense and moist cake to it, just as any sort of pastry that’s cooked in a pressure cooker. But, that' works out beautifully when you’re making a wet cake such as cobbler…

Recent Forkable Bites

Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake "Dutch Baby"

You’ve just found your new kitchen obsession: the Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake. Think of it as the love child of a light-as-air popover and the garlicky, green-onion-forward goodness of pajeon. It’s quick, a little bit showy, and perfect for breakfast, snack time, or as an appetizer that will convince friends you are doing something wildly gourmet without breaking a sweat…

Tex-mex Tortilla Breakfast Bake

If breakfast had a fiesta, this Tex-Mex Tortilla Breakfast Bake would be the life of the party. It’s cheesy, bright with salsa, and full of Tex-Mex flavors—yet uses smart swaps so it’s lighter and still utterly satisfying. Think of it as nachos-turned-breakfast-casserole: layers of tortilla base, eggs, veggies, black beans, and just enough melty cheese to keep things comforting without sending your health goals running for cover…

Passion Fruit Filled Upside-Down Cheesecake (No Bake)

If your dessert game needs a tropical mic drop, meet the Passion Fruit Filled Upside-Down Cheesecake. It’s the best kind of culinary contradiction: bright, tangy passion fruit tucked into a creamy, lighter-than-it-looks cheesecake sitting below a crumbly cookie base. It’s sweet, tart, slightly exotic, and perfectly guilt-free when you use a few smart swaps. Yes, you can have cheesecake and feel like you did something good for your future self…

German Pancake "Dutch Baby"

If you grew up thinking pancakes were just flat cakey discs drowned in syrup, German pancakes (also called Dutch babies) are here to re-educate your brunch brain. These dramatic oven-baked beauties puff up like savory soufflés, then collapse into golden, creased pools of custardy goodness. They’re loud, theatrical, and oddly wholesome — the perfect plate to start a weekend with a little flair and a lot less guilt…

Black Bean Street Corn Tacos

Street corn and tacos: two food-world celebrities that, when teamed up, create a headline-making flavor duet. Add black beans—protein-packed, wallet-friendly, and endlessly comforting—and you’ve got a weeknight superstar that’s healthy, colorful, and obnoxiously easy to make. These Black Bean Street Corn Tacos bring together charred corn, smoky spices, creamy jalapeño sauce, and hearty black beans for a taco that hits every note: tasty, creamy, bright, and slightly rebellious…

French Vanilla Upside-Down Cheesecake

If you love the idea of classic French vanilla but want something a little unexpected, meet the French Vanilla Upside-Down Cheesecake — a playful flip on an indulgent favorite that keeps the texture silky and the flavor bright without dragging you into full dessert regret. This recipe flips the script with a golden french vanilla filling inside a light, creamy cheesecake so when you flip it, you get a crunchy crown of cookie and a tender, cloud-like cheesecake underneath. It’s fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight celebration.

Why French vanilla? French vanilla is all about the custard-forward flavor. In this cheesecake, that custardy depth and a crispy crunchy cookie crust shell is just perfect. The result is familiar and elegant — like dessert wearing a beret.

Veggie Wrap with Peanut Sauce

Bright, crunchy, and ridiculously satisfying — this Veggie Wrap with Peanut Sauce is my go-to when I want lunch that feels indulgent but doesn’t leave me sluggish. Think crisp raw veggies, tender marinated mushrooms (or tofu), fresh herbs, and a creamy, tangy peanut sauce wrapped up in a whole-grain tortilla or rice paper. It’s fresh, protein-packed, and perfect for meal prep. Best part: the peanut sauce doubles as a dip for snack carrots, because nobody should deny themselves that level of deliciousness.

Why you’ll love it

Fresh and crunchy textures with a creamy, savory sauce.
Flexible — easily vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb.
Quick to assemble, great for lunches, picnics, or a light dinner.
Balances fiber, healthy fats, and plant protein for a filling meal without heaviness…

Upside Down Blueberry Filled Cheesecake (No Bake)

If cheesecake could wear a pair of comfy sneakers and a party hat, this would be it. Meet the Upside Down No-Bake Blueberry-Filled Cheesecake: a glossy, jewel-toned blueberry layer that INSIDE of a pillowy, tangy no-bake cheesecake, all cradled by a lightly sweet, cookie-forward crust.

It looks fancy. It tastes like summer. It requires zero oven time and minimal effort. Translation: perfect for heat waves, last-minute company, or when you want dessert that’s both impressive and unapologetically easy…

Skinny Caramel Banana Pudding No Bake Cheesecake

If banana pudding and cheesecake had a love child it would be this: silky, banana-forward, and just sweet enough to satisfy a dessert craving without sending you spiraling into sugar regret. This Skinny Caramel Banana Pudding No-Bake Cheesecake keeps all the cozy, nostalgic flavors—banana pudding, creamy cheesecake, and a touch of caramel—while trimming calories and ditching heavy baking. It’s perfect for hot days, last-minute gatherings, or whenever you want dessert that feels indulgent but behaves itself…

Chimichurri

Chimichurri: bright, herby, slightly spicy — and a total game-changer for everything from grilled steak to roasted veggies. If you’ve ever had a bite of anything sauced in Argentina or Uruguay, you probably met this vibrant green condiment: an herb-forward sauce that’s equal parts punchy and versatile. Here’s everything you need to know to make a fresh, health-conscious chimichurri that tastes like it belongs at a backyard grill party — without the guilt…

Hawachae

If you're hunting for a drink that’s fruity, fun, and somehow both festive and entirely guilt-free, say hello to hwachae. This Korean fruit punch is like summer in a shallow bowl: colorful, bubbly, and built for sharing. Think of it as a fruit salad you sip—refreshing, lightly sweet, and endlessly adaptable. Perfect for warm afternoons, brunches, or whenever you want something more exciting than plain water but less indulgent than a soda cocktail…

Miso Caesar Dressing

The tangy, umami-packed upgrade that your salad has been waiting for!

If you love the bold, savory comfort of classic Caesar dressing but want something lighter, brighter, and just a smidge more interesting, say hello to miso Caesar dressing. It keeps everything you adore about a Caesar—creamy texture, salty tang, garlicky bite—then swaps in miso for depth, and ties it all together with citrus brightness. It’s umami-forward, slightly funky in the best way, and totally guilt-free. Also: it makes kale feel like a party guest instead of a punishment…

Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

If you love the nostalgic bliss of strawberry shortcake ice cream bars but want a breakfast that’s fast, healthy, and won’t require a spatula duel at 7 a.m., meet Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats. This guilt-free spin captures the flavors you love — sweet strawberries, fluffy strawberry and vanilla oat vibes, and a few topping options— but in a nutrient-packed, make-ahead jar. It’s breakfast that feels like dessert and behaves like a responsible adult…

Strawberry Vinaigrette

Salads deserve better than boring dressing. Enter strawberry vinaigrette — a sweet-tart, blush-pink dressing that makes greens sing, fruits dance, and even roasted veggies look forward to showtime. It’s the kind of dressing that tricks your brain into thinking you’re indulging, while your body high-fives you for picking something wholesome. I’ve taken the classic fruit vinaigrette, given it a Skinny Fork twist, and kept it guilt-free without sacrificing flavor…

Breakfast Tomato Eggs

Tomato + eggs = morning magic. This humble combo is a breakfast staple around the world — from shakshuka to Chinese tomato-and-egg stir-fry — and for good reason. It’s fast, comforting, and jam-packed with flavor and nutrition. Think vibrant tomatoes, silky eggs, and a few tricks to boost protein and fiber while keeping things bright and fresh…

Tomato Salad

There’s something about a great tomato salad that makes summer feel like it lasts forever. Ripe tomatoes are the literal embodiment of sunny days—vibrant color, juicy sweetness, and a little tartness that wakes up the tastebuds. But tomato salad isn’t just a summer fling; with the right ingredients and a few health-conscious swaps, it becomes an everyday side, a light main, or a refreshing starter that fits into a wholesome lifestyle…

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