Make Five Easy Low-Fat Cake Frostings

Most people will tell you frosting is the best part of the cake. But if you could frost your cake with less fat and still retain the flavor, would you do it? Most of us would. Below are five easy, delicious ways to do this.

1. Marshmallow Creme: Fold 1 & 1/4 cups whipped cream into 1 & 1/4 cups Marshmallow creme. Use immediately to frost cake. And yes, this is lower in fat than buttercream frosting.

2. Cream Cheese: Whip 6 ounces each low-fat and fat-free cream cheese with an electric mixer until creamy. Blend in 1/3 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons lemon juice until creamy. Fold in 1 & 1/2 cups fat-free nondairy whipped topping. Frost cake immediately.

3. Pudding: Whisk together 1 box (4-serving size) instant pudding mix (any flavor you like) and 1 cup 2% milk until thickened. Fold into 2 cups fat-free nondairy whipped topping. Frost cake immediately.

4. Yogurt: Drain 1 & 1/2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt in a colander lined with cheesecloth or a large coffee filter for 30 minutes (makes about 3/4 cup). Fold this into 2 & 1/2 cups fat-free nondairy whipped topping along with 1 tsp vanilla extract. Frost cake immediately.

5. Banana: This is the most labor intensive of the five recipes, but worth the extra time. Melt 1 Tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Continue cooking until butter is deep amber. Do not burn. Pour into a bowl and chill until set. Return to room temperature. Meanwhile, mash one banana with 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Beat in the browned butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 3 cups of Confectioner's Sugar. For the filling and garnish, arrange 3 to 4 sliced bananas that have been brushed with 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, on layers and top of cake. Frost cake immediately.