Chilling time: 5 hours 30 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutesChocolate and bananas in a crunchy crumb crust is a mouthwatering creation. Although you need to allow time for cooling and chilling the pudding, the actual preparation is a snap. In fact, it’s the kind of dessert you can prepare in stages.
Preparation time: 15 minutes Chilling time: 5 hours 30 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes
½ cup all-fiber cereal crumbs
1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1½ tablespoons cold Better Butter or trans-fat free spread
¼ cup brown sugar
2½ tablespoons cornstarch
1 egg
2 cups fat-free milk
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ripe but firm banana
Whipped cream (optional)
1. Coat a pie pan with vegetable oil spray. In a bowl, combine the crumbs and cinnamon with a fork. Cut in the Better Butter or spread until well blended. Transfer to the prepared pan. Tilt the pan to coat the side with crumbs. Press the remaining crumbs with your knuckles to flatten evenly. Set in the freezer for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Whisk to mix. In a bowl, beat the egg with a fork. Add the milk and stir to blend. Add to the saucepan, whisking constantly, or until blended. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate and vanilla. Stir until the chocolate melts. Let stand, stirring occasionally, to cool completely.
3. Cut the banana into thin slices. Arrange on the bottom and sides of the reserved crust. Dollop the cooled pudding into the pan. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours, or until set.
4. Serve, garnished with 1 tablespoon of whipped cream (if using) per slice.
MAKES 8 SERVINGS
Per serving: 145 calories, 21 g carbohydrate, 4 g protein, 6.5 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 33 mg cholesterol, 71 mg sodium, 3 g fiber
Carbohydrate Choices: 1½
Dietary Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat
NOW YOU KNOW
Sweets and desserts can be high in carbohydrates and raise glucose levels significantly. For better blood glucose control, include dessert with a low-carbohydrate meal. For instance, having cake with a meat and green vegetable dinner will not raise glucose levels as much as having cake with a pasta meal.