5 INGREDIENT RECIPES FOR EASY FAMILY MEALS // EASY LUNCH, DINNER, SNACKS

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta

Greek yogurt offers a tangy flavor with fewer calories.

walnuts

🥗Healthier: pecans

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Pecans provide a similar texture and flavor, while sunflower seeds are nut-free.

granulated sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Coconut sugar is less processed, while brown sugar is often cheaper.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: applesauce

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Applesauce reduces fat while adding moisture.

Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare pan(s) by spraying baking spray with flour or by lining with parchment paper.

Blend cake mix, water/pineapple juice mixture, vanilla, oil and eggs in large bowl at low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.

Stir in carrots, pineapple and pecans until incorporated throughout batter. Pour batter into pans and bake immediately.

Baking times will vary depending on pans and oven. Bake until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Shield top of cake with aluminum foil to prevent overbrowning if needed.

Cool cakes in pans on wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and continue to cool on wire rack until completely cool before frosting.

Baking times: (2) 9 inch pans and 9 x 13 pan: 23 – 28 minutes; 8 x 4 loaf pans: 40 – 45 minutes.

Beat softened butter and cream cheese until well blended. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until creamy.

Start with 3 cups of sugar, add more after tasting to desired sweetness. Use 1/3 less fat cream cheese (Neufchatel) in place of the regular cream cheese if desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens