Throw a dinner party — Skinny style!

When’s the last time you threw a dinner party for your family or friends? Been awhile? Use our birthday as an excuse! It’s a great way to enjoy your loved ones in an intimate setting and will cost you loads less than having a big meal in a restaurant. And since you’re controlling the menu, you can make it as healthy as you’d like without the hidden calories and fat that usually comes along with restaurant prep. So here’s a menu that combines some of our favorite recipes that we’ve published this past year — plus a brand new deep chocolate cake recipe at the end. And, yes, it is as delicious as it sounds.

(Also, keep reading below for today's birthday week contest to win $50)

Apps
As your guests arrive, put out hors d’oeuvres — but steer clear of pigs in a blanket and cheese cubes. Crudite is a great, healthy way to get some veggies in as long as they’re paired with a healthy dip like our Yogurt Cheese dip that also gives you a solid dose of calcium.

Drinks
It wouldn’t really be a party without cocktails! Many prepared alcoholic drinks contain tons of excess sugar, which is why we’ve got healthy versions for Sangria and Raspberry Mojitos.

Main Course
Just because this is a Skinny dinner doesn’t mean we need to avoid fat! Eating unsaturated fat in moderation has amazing heart health benefits. Get your fix with this delicious Ahi Tuna, which will make you look like a gourmet chef! Serve alongside some greens topped with one of our low-cal salad dressings.

Dessert
And of course, we couldn’t make our birthday wish (to keep bringing you the Skinny for years to come!) without a cake to hold our candles. If you’re a chocolate lover, you won’t be disappointed with this one. We made over a decadent recipe without draining the flavor. One slice will more than satisfy a craving. And this recipe uses high-quality ingredients — you even get a boost of heart healthy flavonoid antioxidants from the cocoa powder! Enjoy every bite.

Tanya's tip: it’s often easier to indulge without overeating when you have a small amount of real dessert, rather than 4-5 servings of a diet food.

Black Magic Cake

Serves: 14

Total Time: About 2 hours, including cooling time



Cake Ingredients:

•    1¾ cups un-sifted flour
•    2 cups of Splenda or sugar
•    ¾ cup baking cocoa powder
•    2 teaspoons baking soda
•    1 teaspoon baking powder
•    1 teaspoon salt
•    2 eggs
•    1 cup strong coffee
•    1 cup buttermilk
•    ¼ cup vegetable oil
•    ¼ cup applesauce
•    1 teaspoon vanilla


Frosting Ingredients:

•    ¼ cup butter, melted
•    ¼ cup cocoa powder
•    ¼ cup milk
•    1 teaspoon vanilla
•    1 cup confectioner’s sugar


Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed for about 2 minutes until ingredients are well combined.
3. Pour batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
4. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

Frosting Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients and beat until light and fluffy.
2. When cake has cooled, place one layer of the cake upside down on a serving plate. Using a spatula or wide knife, spread frosting on the top.
3. Then place the second layer on top, right side up, so that the two flat surfaces are facing each other.
4. Apply the rest of the frosting to the sides and top of the cake.

Nutrition Content
Per serving (1/14 of cake)
Cake made with Splenda: 202 calories, 9 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 30 g carbohydrate, 2.5 g fiber, 6 g protein, 420 mg sodium.
Cake made with sugar: 298 calories, 9 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 54 g carbohydrate, 2.5 g fiber, 6 g protein, 420 mg sodium

—Cake recipe by Lauren Graf, MS, RD

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