Everyone likes a good cupcake, but considering all the sugar that goes into desserts, most of us have to limit ourselves to the occasional sweet treat. But who says you can’t indulge and still stay healthy? It’s all about choosing well. And when it comes to cupcakes, you just can’t run out of choices. Sure, chocolate and vanilla will always be on top of your list, but there are lots of healthy cupcake recipes–cupcakes that give you your sugar fix without piling on the pounds.

One way to cut down is by making fruit cupcakes. Fruits are always good on their own, but when used in cakes and pastries, they take on a whole new flavor. And the best part is that they’re not as rich or fatty as other cake ingredients, such as chocolate. If you have kids, it’s also a great way to work more fruits into their diet. And since cupcakes are so versatile, you can experiment any way you want—get a variety of dried and frozen fruits, or go fresh and use whatever’s in season. Start indulging yourself with these quick cupcake ideas.

Use strong flavors

Fruits with strong, tart flavors usually work best for cupcakes. That’s because you don’t need a whole lot of them to flavor the entire recipe. Often, they also have a nice, warm aroma that just adds to the cupcake experience. You can also make smaller servings—perfect for those who are watching their weight. Lemon, lime, and other citrus fruits tend to yield the best flavors. Even a simple lemon cupcake recipe can make a satisfying snack or liven up an everyday dinner.

Citrus fruits also make pretty light cakes, so they’re not too filling. You don’t even need to frost or ice them, since the flavor is strong enough to stand on its own. That way, you can even make room for seconds and not feel like you’ve had too much. If you do feel like adding some extra flavor, use light whipped cream or make a quick frosting from egg whites, powdered sugar and a bit of zest.

Try some tropical fruit

If you want something a little different, try using a new fruit. Not all of them will work on a cupcake, but it won’t hurt to experiment, and you just might come up with a new hit. Tropical fruits are a great source of flavor and often make excellent desserts. Pineapple, mango and coconut are some of the most popular tropical flavors. For a satisfying treat, try a coconut cupcake recipe with some ground nuts and raspberries thrown in.

Mangoes also go very well in cupcakes and make a nice afternoon snack. Fresh mangoes are usually best, but since they can be hard to find, you can find recipes that use dried or frozen varieties. You can also add flavor by replacing some of the liquid with mango juice or puree. Garnish it with fresh mango slices, or set off the sweet flavor with a sprinkling of nuts, orange zest, or graham cracker crumbs.

Throw in a different flavor

Fruits are very versatile when it comes to dessert. Pretty much any fruit goes well with other flavors such as cream, vanilla, chocolate, and even other fruits. So don’t hesitate to experiment and try your own combinations. If you’re not feeling too bold, start with a tried and tested mix such as fruit and chocolate. A choc orange cupcake recipe is sure to be a hit with the kids, and it’s still pretty light compared to other chocolate treats.

If you want to keep things healthy, try combining fruits and nuts. A lot of fruit cupcake recipes use almond meal or hazelnut meal, which adds flavor and texture without making it too rich. They also work well as toppings or garnishes, especially if you want to skip the frosting. There aren’t any rules as to which goes with what—just go with your own taste, or mix and match until you find one that works.

Make a fruitcake

Not everyone is a fan of fruitcake, but you can always adjust the recipe to suit everyone’s tastes. Make it sweeter or lighter, use more or less sherry, or add your choice of fruits. You can also make it lighter or richer, depending on the occasion. It’s really easy to customize, and more often than not, the results are quite impressive. Just take a basic cupcake fruitcake recipe and tweak it around from there,

What’s great about fruitcake recipes is that they last quite a while—some recipes are good for several months. Adjusted recipes usually last two weeks. You can make them in advance for a party, or save the rest for snacks or dessert. If you’re planning to serve them at a later time, add a bit more liquid to keep it from drying out.

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