Deadly deserts and the reinvention of the birthday cake

Indulgence. It’s part of what makes life worth living—giving in to temptation, letting go of one’s inhibitions.

People have been happily indulging in cakes and cookies and ice cream for thousands of years. Yet the obesity crisis—and the accompanying rise in diabetes and heart disease rates—has only come into being in the past 30 years or so. What that tells us: In today’s restaurants and supermarkets, it’s hard to find dessert choices that satisfy your sweet tooth without bloating your waistline.

Here, you’ll learn how to indulge more often but with less damage. You could literally have dessert after most dinners and still stay slim or have dessert once a week and grow fat. How? Simply by knowing the truth about America’s worst desserts

10. Olive Garden - Zeppoli with Chocolate Sauce - 1130 calories

9. Chili's - Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie or Brownie Sundae - 1290 calories

8. On The Border - Sopapillas (5) - 1350 calories

7. Red Robin - Mountain High Mudd Pie - 1373 calories

6. Red Lobster - Chocolate Wave - 1490 calories

5. P.F. Chang's - The Great Wall of Chocolate - 1532 calories

4. Applebee's - Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae - 1660 calories

3. Johnny Carino's - Mascarpone Bread Pudding - 1678 calories

2. Cheesecake Factory - Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake - 1680 calories

1. Outback Steakhouse - Sweet Adventure Sampler Trio - 2394 calories

Now how about some homemade birthday cake solutions!

Birthday Cake Bark

6 ounces high quality dark chocolate (I used Lindt 70%)

12 ounces high quality white chocolate (I used Lindt)

3 teaspoons yellow cake mix

sprinkles of your choice (at least 3 tablespoons worth or more)

Melt dark chocolate either in the microwave or a double boiler. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour chocolate on. You can smooth it with a spatula to the thickness you desire. Stick in the freeze for 20 minutes.

Melt while chocolate. Whisk in cake mix slowly, stirring well until no lumps remain. Let it set for 3 full minutes (or at least until it slightly thickens). Remove baking sheet with chocolate from the freezer and immediately pour white chocolate on top. Sprinkle on sprinkles. Freeze for 20 minutes.

Once set, break into chunks. Keep refrigerated.

Diet Coke Birthday Cake

1 (18 oz) cake mix, dry, any flavor

12 oz diet soda, any flavor

1/4 cup liquid egg whites (or 2 egg whites from whole eggs)


1)Mix together the dry cake mix, soda and egg whites.

2) Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan.

3)Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

4)Slice into 12 pieces. 4 Weight Watchers Points per slice or 241 calories

5)Top with Cool Whip, if desired (make sure to count points for Cool Whip).

Check back on the next blog when we dish out healthy beauty foods that will keep the birthday age bashing away!