28 Lightened-Up 13×9 Desserts

No one who’s ever eaten a piece of this mouthwatering cake can believe it’s lower in fat! —Deborah Protzman, Bloomington, Illinois

I am 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

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 dessert a treasured recipe. Even though I’ve lightened it up, it’s still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California

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

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

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

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

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

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

A friend gave me this fresh take on traditional crispy treats. My husband loves them. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama

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

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

With dried apple and cranberries, these crispy cereal bars are perfect for snacks or brown-bag lunches. —Giovanna Kranenberg, Cambridge, Minnesota

I like to make this when the zucchini in my garden gets ahead of me. It’s a great way to get children to eat their veggies! —Margo Seegrist, Shelton, Washington

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

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

My husband and his friends request this cake for camping trips because it’s easy to transport. To create a fun motif on the plates, trace a shape onto paper and cut out. Hold the stencil over a plate and dust with cocoa powder. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas

Baklava is a sweet, buttery Greek treat. The honey syrup drizzled on top gives this classic dessert a delicious twist. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

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

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

This dessert is super easy to pull together and the flavorful results will win you nothing but rave reviews. — Aimee Ransom, Hoschton, Georgia

My friends were astonished to find out these bars were not button-busting. We nick named them bamboozled bars! —Hannah Wolters, Culleoka, Tennessee

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

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

The best of both worlds, I combined my grandmother’s gingerbread recipe with my aunt’s special brown sugar meringue to make these lovable bars. —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles, California

I love the warm, spicy flavors and festive fall fruits in this upside-down gingerbread cake. It’s simple enough to whip up for lunch boxes, but also has a place at any holiday buffet. —Christina Metke, Calgary, Alberta

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

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