SqueezeItIn.com featured guest bloggers Jen & Jaclyn of fit·n·pretty have found a way to have their cake and keep their skinny jeans, too!   Better yet, they’re sharing their tried and true tips for baking denim-friendly treats that will keep you looking good after eating goodies! And, of course, they included recipes. Enjoy!

From Jen & Jaclyn:

The holidays wouldn’t be the same without the sweet aroma of pies, cookies and breads wafting from a warm kitchen. There is something very comforting about mixing up an old family recipe and sharing the fruits of your labor with family and friends. The only problem with all of this home baked goodness, is that with each sugar cookie, slice of pie, and piece of pumpkin bread you eat, the chances of fitting into your jeans come January 2nd dwindle. And we are in a recession girls! We can’t afford to be buying new pants after convincing ourselves that our current pair has shrunk in the wash (fyi, they didn’t). But for us, not baking during the holidays (or anytime for that matter), is not an option. So rather than hanging up our aprons and putting away our wooden spoons, we have devised some sneaky and very fit·n·pretty ways to lighten up our holiday baking.

But don’t worry, what you lose in calories and fat, you will gain in wholesome nutrition and flavor. Plus, all of these tips and tricks have been tried out in the fit·n·pretty test kitchen (a.k.a. our apartments) and then taste tested by our lovely (and very picky) family and friends. Which means that they not only work, they also taste great! So, here is to a holiday season of fresh baked delights that will leave you looking and feeling fit·n·pretty, long after the flurry of tinsel, wrapping paper and ribbons has settled!

Substitute whole wheat flour for regular white flour: When choosing a whole wheat flour to bake with, we highly recommend using “white whole wheat” flour instead of the conventional whole wheat flour. It is so much easier to work with and it gives the final product a delightfully nutty taste. Yet, it is still light in texture and will give your baked goods a healthy kick of fiber. Plus, your now fiber-filled treats will fill you up quicker, so you will be satisfied with less cookie/pie/muffin.

Follow the ¾ rule: We have found that for almost every recipe, cutting the oil or butter by ¼ can add up to a serious calorie savings, without sacrificing flavor or texture. Alternatively, you can sub in Greek yogurt or applesauce for the oil in most recipes, just follow a 1:1 ratio and use the same amount of applesauce or yogurt that you would oil.

Petite treat: Make your cookies, muffins, even tarts, in petite sizes. You will have built in portion control and these darling little delights are great for parties, gifts or nibbling with a cup of tea.

Non-stick secret: Spray your muffin tins, baking pans and cookie sheets with a no-calorie cooking spray, in-lieu of greasing them with butter. You will not notice the difference and we only believe in using butter (and its calories) if you actually get to taste them!

Nix the frosting: But the frosting is the best part you say? Well, while we are huge fans of frosting, we are not so thrilled with how quickly it adds up in the calorie department. Plus, all of that sugary goodness only covers up the real flavor of the bread or cake it’s adorning. So remember, it’s what’s under the frosting that counts! We like to dust our sweets with a little powdered sugar for an added touch. And if you still long for a little sweetness a top your baked treats, consider making a simple and low cal icing, recipe found here that you can lightly drizzle on top.

Ready to hit the kitchen? Well, tie on your aprons and whip out your mixing bowls, because we are very excited to share our fit·n·pretty spin on some classic holiday treats. Check out the recipes here and happy baking!

j&j

At befitnpretty.com we are dedicated to helping busy girls everywhere take the “die” out of their diet, by sharing the prettiest and most sane ways to stay fit and healthy.

Please note: The information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for the advice or treatment given by your doctor or dietitian. Please consult with a registered dietitian or your doctor if you have any questions about the information in this post.