33 Lightened-Up 13×9 Desserts
Updated: Jun. 13, 2021Sweets that are lower in calories, made in a 13x9 pan, AND dietitian approved? Yes, please.
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Humble Bumble Crumble Bars
While developing a treat for my bingo group, I asked my husband for ideas. He suggested a fruity bar. This berry bar is lightly sweet and so easy. —Nancy Phillips, Portland, Maine
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Devil's Food Snack Cake
My husband and his friends request this devil's food snack cake for camping trips because it’s easy to transport. That makes it great for taking to potlucks and other events, too, as there's no frosting involved. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas
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Chocolate-Raspberry Rice Krispies Treats
Move over, chocolate and strawberries! Dried raspberries paired with chocolate may become your new favorite flavor combo. Watch them shine in this Rice Krispies Treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Easy Pecan Pie Bars
I'm always searching for fast and easy recipes to take to the teachers lounge. The staff goes nuts for these shortcut pecan pie bars. —Kathro Yoder, Defiance, Ohio
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Gran's Apple Cake
My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California
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Fresh Fruit Cobbler
I received this recipe years ago. It's a family favorite, especially when Maine blueberries are in season. What a treat to eat on a hot summer day! —Paula Chick, Lewiston, Maine
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Sparkly Princess Rice Krispies Treats
These strawberry princess Rice Krispies Treats are fit for royalty. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Yummy Zucchini Chocolate Cake
As a confirmed chocoholic, this is my all-time favorite treat. I found the original recipe more than 20 years ago, but have lightened it up quite a bit. Everyone asks for the recipe, and no one suspects that it's lighter than most chocolate cakes. —Carleta Foltz, Sunrise Beach, Missouri
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Chunky Apple Snack Cake
We enjoy this cake as a snack, packed in lunches or as a scrumptious dessert when warmed and topped with a scoop of low-fat ice cream. If the batter seems really thick, don't worry: Once you stir in the apples it loosens up. —Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois
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Reese's Chocolate Snack Cake
My family constantly requests this cake is constantly. I don't mind making it because it's surprisingly low-cal. And its yellow and orange toppings make it the perfect dessert for a Halloween party. —Eileen Travis, Ukiah, California
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Lemony Cream Cheese Bars
Anytime I can take a recipe that has been handed down two generations and lighten it up while keeping the delicious flavor memories intact, I’m a happy girl. —Patti Lavell, Islamorada, Florida
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Chocolaty S'mores Bars
One night my husband had some friends over to play poker and he requested these s'mores bars. They polished off the pan and asked for more! I shared the recipe, and now their families make them, too. —Rebecca Shipp, Beebe, Arkansas
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Raspberry Rumble
My guy is a raspberry fan, so that’s what I use in this cake with a classic fluffy frosting. Freeze the berries so they don’t stain the batter. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
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White Chocolate Cereal Bars
A friend shared with me this fresh take on traditional crispy treats. My husband loves them, and I feel so efficient with their quick prep time. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama
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Cinnamon Nut Bars
Classic bar meets good-for-you ingredients in this updated recipe. If you have the patience, after the bars are cool, store them in a tin for a day to allow the flavors to meld...I think they taste even better the next day.— Heidi Lindsey, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
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Fruity Cereal Bars
With dried apples and cranberries, these crispy cereal bars are perfect for snacks or brown-bag lunches. —Giovanna Kranenberg, Cambridge, Minnesota
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Coconut Cream Cake
No one who’s ever eaten a piece of this mouthwatering cake can believe it’s lower in fat! —Deborah Protzman, Bloomington, Illinois
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Autumn Harvest Cobbler
Saying goodbye to summer peach crisp doesn’t have to be sorrowful when there’s a delicious fall cobbler waiting to comfort you. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
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Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
It took me a long time to develop this quick-and-easy recipe, but I’m so happy with how it turned out. These bars have it all—sugar and spice and a light, creamy-rich pumpkin layer that’s especially nice! —Erin Andrews, Edgewater, Florida
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Baklava with Honey Syrup
Baklava is a sweet, buttery Greek treat. The honey syrup drizzled on top gives this classic dessert a delicious twist. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Sweet Potato Cranberry Cake
This convenient recipe uses items you have in your pantry, like sweet potatoes, cranberries, coconut and chocolate chips. Everyone will enjoy this delicious dessert! —Amie Valpone, New York, New York
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Cran-Apple Crisp
Cranberries, walnuts, brown sugar and orange peel help give this apple-packed crowd-pleaser its rich flavor. After the first taste, guests will be asking for the recipe...and a second helping. —Diane Everett of Newtown, Connecticut
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Easy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars
This dessert is super easy to pull together and the flavorful results will win you nothing but rave reviews. — Aimee Ransom, Hoschton, Georgia
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Nut-Licious Peanut Butter Bars
My friends were astonished to find out these bars were not button-busting. We nick named them bamboozled bars! —Hannah Wolters, Culleoka, Tennessee
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Chewy Cranberry Pecan Bars
I've been making these for several years as I really enjoy the combination of flavors and the relative ease of preparations. They're not only great for the holidays, but year round if you have cranberries in your freezer. —Virginia Anthony, Blowing Rock, North Carolina
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Orange Cashew Bars
Two of my favorite ingredients, oranges and cashews, make a fantastic combination for a holiday bar—especially when you use fresh-squeezed orange juice in the glaze. —Anna Wood, Cullowhee, North Carolina
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Gingerbread Meringue Bars
For the best of both worlds, I combined my grandmother's gingerbread recipe with my aunt's special brown sugar meringue. The result? These lovable holiday-perfect bars that have become a new family tradition. —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles, California
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Upside-Down Berry Cake
This cake is good warm or cold and served with whipped topping or ice cream. It's very moist with loads of flavor and can be whipped up in just minutes. Enjoy! —Candy Scholl, West Sunbury, Pennsylvania
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White Chip Cranberry Granola Bars
Tasty and nutritious, these chewy high-energy snack bars are great for road trips, lunch boxes, late-night snacks or to get college kids through exams and into the Christmas spirit! —Janis Loomis, Madison, Virginia
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Maple-Bacon Rice Krispies Treats
Sweet with a touch of smoky flavor, these maple-bacon Rice Krispies Treats will make you fall in love with this classic flavor combo even more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Oatmeal Cake with Caramel Icing
This lightened-up version of a classic dessert is full of flavor. The icing sets up quickly, so make it right before you frost the cake. —Summer Marks, Louisville, Kentucky
Originally Published: July 20, 2018
