Recipes

Name: No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups
Ingredients: 6 tbsp melted butter; 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 1/4 cup Sugar; 2 blocks cream cheese; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream; 2 tsp vanilla; 2 lbs Strawberries; 12 plastic disposable cups

Red, White & Blue Sugar Cookie Parfait

June 24, 2020 by Stacy Craft Leave a Comment

Looking for a patriotic dessert? This red, white & blue sugar cookie parfait is tasty, festive and fun for the kids.

The other day I brought home a package of red, white and blue sprinkles from the grocery store that I saw and wanted to do something with.

My kids saw them and it was seriously the equivalent of someone telling me that I just got a free 3 week vacation to Europe. They were thrilled.

All over a $2 bottle of sprinkles. I love kids.

So I told them that they could help me make some kind of fun dessert and we came up with this easy red, white & blue sugar cookie parfait.

(Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.)

Red, White & Blue Sugar Cookie Parfait

These dessert cups are layered with store bought sugar cookies, vanilla Greek yogurt, and fresh strawberries.

To finish them off and add the blue, we added a bit of whipped cream and sprinkled the holiday sprinkles.

It is a fun treat to involve the kids in the kitchen but without having to use the stove. My 2 year old even made his (with a little help because if left alone he would have chosen the bottle of sprinkles and skipped the yogurt).

What You Need:

To make the red, white & blue sugar cookie parfaits, you need just 5 ingredients.

Store Bought Mini Sugar Cookies
Vanilla Greek Yogurt – The Greek God’s Honey Vanilla is my fave.
Fresh Strawberries, Diced
Reddi Whip
Red, White & Blue 4th of July Sprinkles

Blueberries would also be great to add some extra blue but I forgot those this trip!

Assembling the Mini Dessert Cups

I gave each of the kids a set of ingredients and then they made their mini cookie and yogurt trifles by listening to my instructions.

It was fun to get the kids involved in the kitchen without having to use the stove or anything sharp. All they need is a spoon to make these treats!

They were assembled in these mini trifle/parfait cups because everything tastes better when presented well, right?

First layer, sugar cookie.

2nd layer, a few spoonfuls of the vanilla greek yogurt.

3rd layer, diced strawberries. You could add blueberries too.

4th and most important layer, sprinkles!

Repeat the layers again.

Top the final layer of strawberries with a big dollop of whipped cream and sprinkles!

Modifications for Kids & Adults

For the kids, I skipped the 2nd cookie layer. So they had one mini sugar cookie, yogurt, berries, sprinkles, yogurt, berries, whipped cream & sprinkles.

My children are young and I really just didn’t want them having 2 cookies after dinner. They didn’t notice.

Neither my husband or myself are big sprinkle lovers. So I made ours as written above but skipped the middle sprinkle layer.

You can really modify these red, white and blue sugar cookie parfaits to match your family’s likes.

Check out these amazing no bake strawberry cheesecake cups!

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups

June 21, 2020 by Stacy Craft Leave a Comment

These no bake strawberry cheesecake cups start with a rich buttery graham cracker crust.

The fresh strawberries and a light and creamy cheesecake are layered in individual cups for a delicious and pretty summer dessert.

I hosted my bunko friends at my house this weekend. When we meet, the host provides dinner, drinks and of course dessert before we play.

For dinner I had decided on a family favorite of ours – crack chicken puffs. They are filled with cream cheese and bacon and wrapped in crescent dough. These bundles taste great but definitely rich.

So for dessert, I was wanting something a little lighter and with a summer feel.

But here’s the deal. Even though I wanted a light dessert, it still had to taste amazing because dessert is my favorite part of a meal.

And the big 2 lb package of strawberries in my fridge was staring me in the face so I pivoted from my usual chocolate and went fruity.

These no bake strawberry cheesecake cups are layered with a creamy cheesecake filling and fresh strawberries. And so good!

(Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.)

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups

These little cups are so pretty which I love because you eat with your eyes first! The layered trifle look makes this simple dessert look fancy with very little work.

And individual treats are always fun!

These no bake strawberry cheesecake cups use just a few ingredients that you probably already have most of at home.

What You Need:

Graham Cracker Crumbs
Butter
Sugar
Cream Cheese
Heavy Whipping Cream
Vanilla
Strawberries
9 oz Plastic Cups

Making Strawberry Cheesecake Mini Parfaits

To make these individual desserts, you want to make the crust first so that it has time to set up while you make the cheesecake filling.

Combine the graham cracker crumbs (they make these already crushed up so you don’t have to do it yourself), melted butter and sugar in a medium bowl.

Stir until it starts to clump together. Keep stirring until the butter is well combined with the graham crackers and sugar.

Take 2 tablespoons and place it into the bottom of each cup.

Use a fork to gently press the crust into the cup.

Place the cups with the crust into the fridge to set up while you make the cheesecake filling.

No Bake Cheesecake Filling

To make the filling, combine the softened cream cheese with the sugar and mix using a stand or hand mixer until smooth.

Add the Heavy Whipping Cream slowly and the vanilla.

Beat until light and fluffy.

Add the cheesecake filling to the gallon zip bag. Cut off the end so that you can use it as a piping bag (it makes it easier to fill the cups).

Dice the strawberries.

Assembling the Dessert Cups

Now you are ready to assemble the no bake strawberry cheesecake cups.

Your cups should have the graham cracker crust set up now.

Cheesecake Filling

First add a generous squeeze or two of cheesecake filling from your homemade piping bag.

Using a spoon, spread the filling out into an even layer in each cup.

Stawberries

For the next layer, add a tablespoon or two of diced strawberries to each cup.

Then repeat another layer of no bake cheesecake filling and a final layer of diced strawberries.

Put back in the fridge for at least one hour. They are best eaten the same day.

But I will tell you, I ate one for breakfast the day after and it was still just as yummy!

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups

Servings

Ingredients

Servings

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl.
Stir it together until it starts to clump together and the butter in well incorporated into the cracker crumbs.
Place 2 tablespoons of the crust mixture into the bottom of each plastic cup.
Use a fork to press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom.
Place the cups in the fridge while you make the cheesecake mixture so that it can firm up a little.
Mix the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of white sugar to a large bowl and mix until incorporated.
Slowly add in the heavy whipping cream and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy.
Dice strawberries.
Using a gallon ziplock bag with the cheesecake filling, pipe some filling into each cup.
Using a spoon, spread the cheesecake filling out.
Add a layer of diced strawberries.
Repeat another layer of cheesecake filling and end with a layer of strawberries.
Chill for at least one hour. Best served the same day.

THM Caramel Iced Coffee – Fuel Pull

June 14, 2020 by Stacy Craft Leave a Comment

Looking for an easy and inexpensive alternative to the coffee shop? Stay on plan with this THM caramel iced coffee fuel pull.

Since having kids, coffee is life. A cup (or 3) in the morning is what gets me moving and focused in the morning.

I love sitting on the porch with a nice hot cup of coffee and watching the sunrise. Or as most real mornings happen, slurping down a monster cup of coffee while pouring the kids bowls of cereal, packing lunches and trying to get everyone ready for the day.

And while I love that cup of joe in the morning, I can’t drink hot coffee in the afternoons. Don’t know why, it just doesn’t appeal to me like it does in the morning.

So what to do when that afternoon slump hits? A THM caramel iced coffee is a fuel pull that can be paired with an S or E Snack.

(Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.)

THM Caramel Iced Coffee Fuel Pull

You can make an iced coffee using a variety of methods. But thankfully the coffee companies have come to the rescue and made it so easy.

Pretty much every coffee brand now has a range of cold brew options that you can buy at the grocery store or Amazon. No fancy contraption or a bunch of time needed.

Just buy. Pour. Bam – THM Caramel Iced Coffee Fuel Pull to pull you out of your slump. Ok, maybe not that easy but it is pretty simple.

On Plan Trim Healthy Mama Iced Coffee Drink

Now, how can you make that black cold brew delicious and on plan?

You just need a couple of ingredients!

What You Need:

Cold Brew Coffee – Update: This is the cold brew I have started using. I LOVE it. Not too weak and not bitter.
Heavy Cream
Almond Milk
Sweet Drops – Caramel

Wait, Heavy Cream In A FP?

By balancing a splash of heavy cream with almond milk, you lighten this iced coffee up quite a bit while still keeping it rich and creamy.

If you use only the 1/2 a tablespoon of heavy cream, you will be at about 2.5 grams of fat which keeps it in a FP.

So this will fit in a FP or an E if you keep all other fats really low. It will also go great with an S meal.

You could also drink this coffee if following a low carb or Keto lifestyle.

Making the Caramel Iced Coffee

I used a Dunkin Donuts cold brew that you need to steep overnight in a pitcher. I like the taste and cost of this product but you do have to plan ahead for your coffee.

There are also tons of pre-made cold brews that are ready to pour. This is the one I have been using & love.

In a tall glass, add 8 oz cold brew coffee.

Next, add in 1/2 tablespoon heavy cream & 1/2 tablespoon of Almond milk.

Now, time to sweeten it up.

Add 5 drops of the caramel Sweet Drops.

Stir the coffee, cream and stevia sweetener together.

Add 1 cup of ice and serve your THM caramel iced coffee with your FP, S or E meal or snack.

Need More Trim Healthy Mama Drinks?

THM S – Bai Creamsicle
THM S – Bai Pina Colada Mocktail

THM Caramel Iced Coffee - Fuel Pull

Servings

Ingredients

Servings

Ingredients

Instructions

Add 8 oz cold brew coffee to a tall glass.
Add cream, almond milk and caramel Sweet Drops to the coffee.
Stir well.
Add 1 cup of ice and serve the iced coffee with a straw if desired.

7 Layer Dip Tostada Tower

June 13, 2020 by Stacy Craft 2 Comments

A 7 layer taco dip layered between baked tostada shells for a low fat and delicious lunch or dinner.

Mexican food is my favorite and I’m not willing to NOT eat it while I’m trying to eat healthy. So what do I do?

Take my favorite meals and trim them up so that they fit into my healthier lifestyle!

Last week these Keto/THM S Cheese and Onion enchiladas were on my plate. This week were these Ah-mazing low-fat 7 layer dip tostada towers!

Wondering why I flip flop between Keto & Low Fat/Healthy Carb meals? Because I’m a Trim Healthy Mama! You can read about how THM helped me lose 60 lbs postpartum here.

Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.

7 Layer Dip Tostada Tower

If you love 7 layer taco dip, this simple recipe turns your favorite appetizer into a meal without making you feel any guilt.

Why? Because this stack of double layered tostadas is filled with healthy carbs, low in fat and filled with delicious Mexican flavors.

THM E/Weight Watchers Low Point Ingredients

This recipe fits in a Trim Healthy Mama E Meal (Or WW) because it is low in fat and has healthy carbs.

Baked Tostada Shells
Laughing Cow Cheese
Fat Free Refried Beans
Lettuce/Tomatoes
Non-Fat Greek Yogurt (Sour Cream Sub)

And I am telling you it was so good! Often times these low fat THM E meals leave people feeling dissatisfied. Not the case with this 7 Layer Dip Tostada Tower!

It tastes sinful but it’s not.

Wait, We can have Tostada Shells on THM?

Yes, Ma’am! I know I just made your day.

The key is finding tostada shells that are baked. These are the ones that I used and i found them at my normal grocery store.

How To Make the Mexican Tostadas

Warm the tostada shells in the oven for a few minute to warm and crisp up.

Heat the Fat Free refried beans and enchilada sauce in a medium saucepan.

Assemble the Tostadas – Serving for 1

Spread 1/2 Laughing Cow Cheese on one tostada shell.

Spread 1/2 cup of the bean/enchilada mixture on top of the Laughing Cow.

Next add on shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes. Rotel tomatoes would be yummy and save some chopping time.

Layer 5 is salsa! I had salsa verde on hand from making Salsa Verde Queso Chicken but you could use a traditional red salsa as well.

Layer 6 is Non-Fat Greek Yogurt that takes the place of sour cream.

Layer 7 is a teensy tiny amount of shredded cheese (1 TBSP is what I use). You get plenty of cheesy flavor from the Laughing Cow but the little sprinkling of cheddar is visually appealing to me because cheese is life.

And tacos, enchiladas, tostadas and nachos all need cheese, right?

After layer 7, start again to build the perfect 7 layer dip tostada tower. In order to keep the fat and carbs within E territory on Trim Healthy Mama, you will want to keep your Mexican tostada stack to 2 layers. So 2 tostadas stacked high with all 7 layers.

THM E Fat & Carb Limits

For an E meal you are looking for the following:

Healthy Carbs – Up to 45 g

Fat – 5 g

If you keep the beans to 1/2 cup total and 2 baked tostada shells, you will be at around 42 carbs. Perfect for an E meal.

The fat in a Pepper Jack Laughing Cow Cheese is 1.5 grams. No fat in the beans, shells, lettuce, tomato or yogurt. Keep your shredded cheese to 1 Tbsp total and you will stay below the fat maximum for an E meal.

If you only use the shredded cheese on the top layer, it will give the illusion of more cheese. Kinda like the trick to eat your meal on a salad plate to make you feel like you are getting more food because your plate looks fuller.

7 Layer Dip Tostada Tower

Servings

Ingredients

Toppings

Servings

Ingredients

Toppings

Instructions

Combine 1 can of fat free refried beans with 1/2 a can of enchilada sauce in a medium saucepan to warm.
While the beans/enchilada sauce are warming, warm the desired number of tostada shells in the oven at 350 degrees for about 4-5 minutes.
Take one shell and spread 1/2 of a pepper jack Laughing Cow Cheese triangle.
Next, top the shell with 1/2 cup of the warm bean/enchilada sauce mixture.
Add on desired toppings: Lettuce, tomatoes, greek yogurt (sour cream sub) and salsa.
Place a second tostada on top and repeat layers.
Finish with a small amount of shredded cheese.

2 Ingredient Air Fryer Snickers

June 10, 2020 by Stacy Craft Leave a Comment

These 2 ingredient air fryer Snickers bring the county fair to your kitchen in less than 10 minutes.

Is there anyone out there that doesn’t love fair food?

The blooming onions, pronto pups, chicken on a stick and turkey legs are some of my favorite savory dishes. But if you know me, you know I’m really there for the sweets.

Funnel cakes, ice cream, cotton candy and just about any candy, cookie or Twinkie you can dream up – deep fried!

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I literally dreamed about fair food. And since these 2 Ingredient Air Fryer Snickers are puffed up in the air fryer instead of grease, they are ever so slightly better for you than the real deal at the fair.

See how I made you feel good about this delicious dessert? That’s what friends are for.

Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.

2 Ingredient Air Fryer Snickers Bundles

These little bundles of yumminess will make any day a little more of a celebration. The crescent dough puffs up and gives you that deep fried feel while the Snickers inside gets all gooey and melted.

Enough talk, let’s get to the recipe so that you can have a 2 Ingredient Air Fryer Snickers on your plate in just a couple of minutes.

What You Need:

Mini Snickers
1 Container Crescent Roll Dough
Air Fryer

Directions for Fried Snickers Bars

Preheat your Air Fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees.

Lay one crescent roll triangle flat.

Place 2 unwrapped mini Snickers or one fun size in the center of the roll.

Fold the crescent roll around the Snickers to create a bundle.

Pinch all the sides together to create a seal.

Place the bundles into the air fryer.

Cook for 6 minutes at 350 degrees.

Flip the bundles and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Optional: Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

How to Amp Up The Wow Factor

For an even more decadent dessert, brush the fried snickers with some melted butter using a pastry brush before dusting with powdered sugar.

More Fun Dessert Treats:

Dulce De Leche Cheeseball

Nutella & Strawberry Puff Pastry

No Bake Dulce De Leche Caramel Pie

2 Ingredient Air Fryer Snickers

Servings

Ingredients

1 Package Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
16 Mini Snickers (Unwrapeed)
1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar *Optional for dusting

Servings

Ingredients

1 Package Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
16 Mini Snickers (Unwrapeed)
1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar *Optional for dusting

Instructions

Preheat the Air Fryer for 3-5 Minutes at 350 Degrees.
Place one crescent roll triangle flat on a cutting board.
Place 2 mini Snickers in the large part of the crescent roll.
Using your fingers, fold and pinch the dough until the candy is covered with dough. Be careful to ensure that you "seal" the seams by pinching the dough. This will prevent the chocolate from spilling out during the frying process.
Place each bundle into the air fryer.
Cook at 350 degrees for 6 minutes.
Since the bundles are too heavy, they won't fly around in the air fryer. After 6 minutes, flip each bundle and cook for another 2 minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving if desired. Serve immediately.