During winter, for whatever reason, many of us develop cravings for “comfort” foods that traditionally are high in sugar and fat (you know the ones I mean). So, when you arrive home after a morning of errands or from a long day at work or from an afternoon of sled-riding…and after you “de-bundle” (removing those puffer coats, cozy scarves and fleece-lined gloves), you may be looking to dig into some favorite cold-weather foods. However, it’s not a good idea to overindulge when you crave something sweet, warm and comforting.

If you haven’t started yet, now is a good time to start cutting back on your added sugar intake, as health experts recommend. So, to help you with easy substitutions for sugar, here are a few wonderful recipes made with Splenda Sweeteners to make this winter.

We hope you enjoy them all, from unique hot chocolates to oven-baked treats that use apples and a Splenda Sweetener instead of full sugar.

Splenda Recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate with Cayenne Pepper and Orange Zest
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Ingredients:

1/4 cup water
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5 1/2 cups skim milk
2 cinnamon sticks
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions:

Whisk water, cocoa powder and Splenda Sweetener in a saucepan.
Slowly bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Cook until mixture thickens and resembles a syrup.
Mix in remaining ingredients and heat. Do not boil. Serve hot.

Splenda Recipe: Winter White Hot Chocolate
Servings Per Recipe: 4

Ingredients:

2 cups fat-free half-and-half
2 cups fat-free milk
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnishes: fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed; crushed peppermint candies

Directions:

Bring half-and-half and milk to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add white chocolate morsels and Splenda Sweetener, stirring until morsels melt.
Stir in vanilla.
Serve hot. Garnish, if desired.

Other delicious hot drink recipes made with Splenda Sweeteners to try:

• Maple Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
• Hot Spiced Cider Recipe
• Hot Toddy Recipe

Splenda Recipe: Apple Bread Pudding

Servings Per Recipe: 6

Ingredients:

Cooking spray
1 whole egg and 1 egg white
1 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves or allspice
6 slices light style whole grain or multigrain bread cut in to cubes
3 medium apples, cored and cut in to 1/2-inch cubes
Optional: 1/4 cup of any one of the following: raisins, dried cranberries, fresh or dried blueberries, chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Spray 9″x9” baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together egg, egg white, milk, Splenda Sweetener, and spices.
Add bread and apple cubes. Add additional fruit or nuts if desired. Mix well.
Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes.

Splenda Recipe: Apple Skillet Cake
Servings Per Recipe: 10

Ingredients:

For the Apples

3 apples, any kind
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend

For the Cake

1 1/3 cups white whole wheat flour
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
2 large eggs
1/4 cup canola oil (or other vegetable oil)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 10-inch cast iron skillet or other baking dish with parchment paper (optional) and spray with oil.
Dice two apples into ½-inch cubes. Slice the third apple very thinly for the top of the cake. Alternatively, you can dice all of the apples.
Toss apples in cinnamon and Splenda Sweetener Blend. Set aside.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, applesauce, Splenda Sweetener, orange juice, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined.
Pour half of the batter into prepared skillet. Top evenly with diced apples. Pour remaining batter over apples and spread evenly. Arrange sliced apples over the top (or sprinkle evenly with remaining diced apples).
Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Serve with a dollop of low-fat yogurt, whipped cream, or ice cream if desired.

For your own recipes, here are some important tips for baking with Splenda Sweeteners.

I have been compensated for my time by Heartland Food Products Group, the maker of Splenda Sweetener Products. All statements and opinions are my own. I have pledged to Blog with Integrity, asserting that the trust of my readers and the blogging community is vitally important to me.

Written by Sue Taylor, MS

Sue is a consulting nutritionist with more than 35 years of experience. She is passionate about sharing her nutrition knowledge and fondness for good, healthy food. Sue will put relevant information in consumer terms and provide valuable perspective to clear up misinformation and confusion about nutrition and food safety.