When you have a sweet tooth, the right fall dessert hacks are no joke at this time of year.  The days of a refreshing slice of watermelon have passed, and the season of high sugar, high fat, and high-caloric treats has begun.  From Halloween to Thanksgiving and right through to the winter, it’s easy to feel as though we’ve lost control of all our senses as taste takes over!

Fall Dessert Hacks Mean You Don’t Need to Resist!

If you have a sweet tooth and enjoy this season’s treats, then you know how difficult it can be to resist indulging a little bit – and then a bit more – when cookies, candies, pies and other favorites are available. It can feel as though the dessert table is actually calling you by name. If you are one of the few among us who has the self control to enjoy a bite or two, and that’s it, then there’s nothing wrong with having the occasional taste of your favorite traditional recipes.

However, if you’re not one of those few, then it doesn’t take long for the portions to keep getting bigger and the indulgences to become more frequent.  Suddenly, you’re not having a cookie or a tart once per week, but you’re doing so once per day…and then several times per day.

Since reminding yourself to scale it back just doesn’t seem to work, it’s time for fall dessert hacks to come to the rescue.  Sure, you’re still supposed to eat them in reasonable portions, but at far fewer calories than their traditional alternatives, at least they won’t do as much damage if you indulge slightly more than you should.

Fall Dessert Hacks for Treats You’ll Crave

Consider these simple fall dessert hacks that provide you with a reduced calorie alternative to your favorite autumnal treats. They’re perfect for feeding that weeknight craving without completely annihilating your efforts to stay on top of your healthy eating.

Apple Pie

Traditional Recipe – 480 calories per 1/8 of a nine-inch pie

Mock Apple Pie a la Mode – 230 calories per serving

Peel one medium apple and slice thinly. Combine with ½ cup no-sugar added apple pie filling. Add cinnamon to taste. Warm in microwave 30-45 seconds. Top with ½ cup of your favorite vanilla ice cream and serve immediately.

Pecan Pie

Traditional Recipe – 520 calories per 1/8 of a nine-inch pie

Pecan Pie Oatmeal – 350 calories per serving

Following package directions, prepare 1/3 cup quick-cook oatmeal and water in microwave. Mix with 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Serve immediately.

Pumpkin Pie

Traditional Recipe – 400 calories per 1/8 of a nine-inch pie

Pumpkin pie pudding – 160 calories per serving

Prepare 1 packet of sugar-free butterscotch pudding by whisking into it ½ cup canned pumpkin puree (make sure you get real pumpkin and not the pie filling) and 1½ cups skim milk. Season with pumpkin pie spice to taste. Each serving is 1 cup of the pudding mixture. Serve with ¼ cup fat-free whipped topping and serve.