She Strengthens

Spooky Sweet Treats for a Healthier Halloween

This Halloween, why not serve up some wickedly delicious and surprisingly healthy treats that will cast a spell on your guests? Introducing my Sweet & Skinny cupcakes, packed with 30% less fat and fewer calories than traditional cupcakes. And the best part? They’re so easy to make, you can even get your guests involved in the decorating process!

A Recipe for Success

To make these spooky sweets, you’ll need:

Cupcake Ingredients

• 4 ounces softened butter
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 1 2/3 cups cake flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup low-fat milk
• 1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

Frosting Ingredients

• 18 ounces cream cheese
• 1 1/3 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Natural orange food color (optional)
• Assortment of natural candies

Brewing Up a Batch

To make the cupcakes:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Beat together the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and orange zest until smooth.
4. Add the eggs, orange juice, and vanilla, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Combine the cake flour mixture and milk, then add the yogurt.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups and bake for 15 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool the cupcakes completely before frosting.

The Icing on the Cake

To make the frosting:

1. Sift the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl.
2. Add the cream cheese, orange zest, and vanilla, beating until well combined.
3. If desired, add natural food color for a spooky hue.
4. Frost the cooled cupcakes and use natural candies to create a variety of faces.

Serve and Enjoy!

Store your Sweet & Skinny cupcakes at room temperature for up to 12 hours before serving. With their reduced fat and calorie count, you can indulge in these treats without feeling too guilty. So go ahead, get creative, and have a howling good time this Halloween!