DIY Healthy Dining Hall Desserts

With spring coming up and the summer near, there sure is a lot to celebrate.  So why not celebrate with some yummy DIY dessert creations in the dining hall?!  Here are some fun (and healthy!) ways to boost your average dessert to something delish.  I talked to Branford senior Katie D’Andrea, a food and health guru, to get some inspiration.

1. A Yogurt Parfait

A parfait is the perfect way to have something sweet, without having something too unhealthy!  Use a mug, so it’s a good size, and put in two or three spoonfuls of your favorite yogurt.  Then sprinkle the yogurt with a layer of your favorite cereal or granola, and add another spoonful or two of the yogurt.  Feel free to mix yogurts, or switch out the second layer of yogurt with cottage cheese.  Then add a layer of chopped nuts or craisins or raisins and some chopped up banana.  Sprinkle the top with some cinnamon.  Some optional add-ins are whipped cream, honey, chocolate sauce, or chocolate chips.

2. Warm Apple Sundae

This dessert is the perfect alternative to an apple crisp or an apple pie!  Chop up an apple and put it into a bowl, and add-in 1/3 cup of water and a teaspoon of cinnamon.  Put in the microwave for 3 minutes, stirring about halfway.  When it comes out, make sure the apples are tender but be careful holding the bowl because it will be really hot!  When it comes out of the microwave, you can either add some other ingredients, such as whipped cream, vanilla yogurt, extra cinnamon, raisins, craisins, or ice cream.  

3. Melted Banana

This dessert might look a little unusual and unlike anything you would normally eat when it is done, but trust me, it is delicious.  Chop up a banana and put them in a bowl with either a couple tablespoons of water, or a milk of your choice (I recommend almond milk).  Add a little bit of cinnamon and microwave for two minutes.  Take out and stir, and add a few chocolate chips when it is still hot, or some honey!

4. Post-Exam brownie sundae

Sometimes the healthy options just won’t cut it.  On those days, go crazy.  My favorite is to take the Yale fudge brownie and put it on a plate and microwave it for 45-60 seconds.  Take it out of the microwave and top with one or two scoops of your favorite ice cream.  Add whipped cream, any fruits available, mixed nuts, cinnamon, honey, and chocolate sauce.  Enjoy every bite! 

Don’t forget that we also have a whole wide range of tasty beverage choices in the dining hall as well!  I love mixing hot chocolate and coffee, or chai tea and a little coffee, or a ¾ chai and ¼ soy milk for a different take on a soy latte.  Also a great thing to do is when the dining halls have caramel and chocolate sauce, eat a little with a banana if you need something sweet.  If they have a berry or an apple crisp, take a little and add a couple spoonfuls of yogurt for a crunchy, creamy treat!

Enjoy the beautiful days of spring and enjoy these treats!