Gretchen Scalpi, RDN

Everyone has a few recipes that they love but never make because of the fat content.  You can reduce fat by using less butter or oil than what the recipes calls for.  It is possible to make some common sense reductions or substitutions to salvage your favorite recipes so you can enjoy them without the guilt.

Try these tips to reduce fat in your recipes:

• Cheese.  Use reduced fat cheese.
• Milk.  Use low fat or skim milk.
• Cream cheese.  Use low-fat Neufchatel cheese or low-fat ricotta.
• Frosting:  Replace butter or shortening with marshmallow cream.
• Butter.  Use applesauce, egg whites or plain yogurt.
• Eggs.  Swap each egg for two egg whites or 1/4 cup egg substitute.
• Cream.  Use a one to one swap with evaporated skim milk.
• Sour cream.  Use plain or Greek low-fat yogurt.

You’ll need to test these substitutions to make sure that the texture and taste of the finished product is acceptable.

Tags: cut fat, reduce fat