Lightening up two favorite recipes

18 years ago

My husband has two favorite recipes for sweets that he loves. The way these recipes read, they might be "usable" with some substitutions (given his heart condition). But I'm at a loss as to what might actually work. I'd hate to see him have to give up these favorite things - maybe you all have some suggestions about how I can doctor these recipes to make them "fit".

First recipe is for "brown sugar cookies". It calls for a cup of brown sugar, a cup of white sugar, a cup of shortening, 2 eggs, a tsp of soda, a pinch of salt, 3 cups of flour, and 2 tsp vanilla. I know I can use Egg Beaters instead of the 2 eggs. What could I use instead of the shortening? Today's shortenings may be trans-fat free, but they still have a lot of sat fat in them.

The second recipe is for "Coconut Bars". The bottom layer is made of graham cracker crumbs, sugar and 1/2 cup "melted oleo". (Probably could use light margarine from a tub.) The middle layer is 2 cups of flaked coconut and 1 can of sweetened condensed milk. (Does that come in a "light" version? I've never seen it.) Top layer are 1 cup each of chocolate and butterscotch chips, melted together. Any help on these?

Thanks,

DonnaR/CA

PS This is the 2nd try. I think after I hit preview, I hit return to the forum instead of post.

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Comments (11)

lindac
18 years ago
I don't think there is any way you can lighten those recipes and still have them taste anything like they did.
Your husband either has to learn to eat 1/2 of the cookie he loves or learn to love another kind of sweet.
Cholestoral isn't only formed from saturated fat but also from sugars and white carbohydrates.
Best he learns to love fruit with splenda and fat free whipped topping.
Linda c
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
18 years ago
Cholesterol ONLY comes from animal based foods: cheese, butter, yogurt, meat, etc.
I would look for recipes that use alternative fats but are similar in nature to the recipes you want to modify.
Sometimes just substituting things won't work. You need to find some t & t recipes and there are lots of recipes that address your issues.
And I tend to prefer natural foods such as apples or prunes instead of margarine. Think of it this way, you could leave a stick of margarine or Crisco in the trunk of your car and it would still look/be the same a year later. How is it breaking down in your body? It's not. No, it won't be the same, but sometimes drastic circumstances mean learning to change the palate. And, yes!, It can be done but it takes awhile.

8 years ago, my Dad moved in with us. I said, it's 100% wheat bread only for your p & b sandwich lunch. He hated it for weeks but now, thinks nothing of it and likes wheat bread! I have done it myself with salt, sodas, white bread and lots of other things.
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Terri_PacNW
18 years ago
Maybe you can make some of these work?

Here's a Lemon Coconut Bar~claiming Low Cholesterol.
Glazed Lemon Coconut
Here's another recipe making claims. LOL
Zero Cholesterol Cookies
Here's an oatmeal cookie recipe. You could certainly use this a base to make bars of some sort too. Oatmeal Cookies

I use a Shortening from Spectrum. It's Non-Hydrogenated has 0 grams trans fat, Cholesterol Free and 6 grams of sat fat, they are broke down as 2 g polyunsaturateds and 5 g of monounstaturated fats in 1T.

But maybe it's something that could work for you two with the addition of apple sauce or other fruit "purees".
annie1992
18 years ago
Donna, I don't know if you can get it where you are, but here the big grocery stores sell something called La Lechera. There is a fat free variety, and it's sweetened condensed milk, like Eagle brand.

I'll keep my eye out for a can if you don't have any near you....

Annie
colleenoz
18 years ago
Light margarine doesn't usually sub well because it has extra air and water to make it lighter- which breaks down under baking and makes the result different, and sometimes not even palatable.
lindac
18 years ago
Bumblebeez...not entirely.
Some people make their own....regardless of their diet. What diet can do is limit the LDL.
Linda C

Here is a link that might be useful: HDL and LDL
donnar57
Original Author
18 years ago
La Lachera - I think I've seen that. I'll check next time I'm in the grocery stores and the commissary. I was looking for Eagle Brand in fat-free, but in reality I don't care what brand!

Thanks for the recipes, Terri, but my hubby doesn't like oatmeal cookies. That's why I'm trying to doctor the ones that he DOES like.

Lindac is right, some people do make their own cholesterol despite what they eat. Hubby's on Zocor at the moment. His PCP said his cholesterol counts were pretty decent at his last checkup two years ago.

DonnaR/CA
ritaotay
18 years ago
Donna, if you use Smart Balance for cookies they'll be flatter and spread out more than if made with them Crisco....

I've heard that coconut is a no-no because of the natural fats in it..

You can make your own fat free sweetened condensed milk...

1 cup non fat dry milk
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup boiling water

Mix well... Makes the equivalent of one can...

BUT... Check with your doctor or pharmacist... I just found out... Besides watching his fats, cholesterol, salt intake ( sugar now too ) I have to make sure he doesn't get too much potassium... Milk has a lot of potassium, whole, 2%, 1%, skim, dry; doesn't make any difference one cup contains between 370 and 400 mg of potassium... And it interferes with hubby's meds... Catch 22.... The meds deplete his potassium yet he's not allowed to eat large quantities of potassium rich foods because of his meds... I'm beginning to believe it's a loosing battle.

Rita
Terri_PacNW
18 years ago
Well the oatmeal would be a good option..To bad he doesn't like them. But I understand.

The La Lechera will be in the Mexican foods section Donna.
Sometimes it's cheaper than the store brand Fat Free or Eagle Brand, sometimes not. Albertsons (if you have that there) carries a store brand of FF Sweetened condensed milk.
Terri_PacNW
18 years ago
I just came across this site doing a search for Gluten Free Macaroons..
Some of these recipes sound really good. Especially the Snowballs. Maybe they would 'curb' his Coconut Bar craving?

Here is a link that might be useful: GF Cookie Recipes
donnar57
Original Author
18 years ago
The potassium thing - DH was told that he could have his multivitamin-mineral tablet - that was actually recommended. Bananas and potatoes (minus all the FAT stuff) were encouraged. But he was NOT to be taking a potassium supplement. I can't remember what med he's taking that would be bothered by it, but that's the reason.

Terri, I have Albertsons here. We also have the Commissary (DH is retired Navy) and I believe I've seen La Lachera there.

I'll take a look at those cookie recipes!

Thanks, everybody!

DonnaR/CA

Lightening up two favorite recipes

Comments (11)

lindac

Bumblebeez SC Zone 7

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