Fruit recipe collection

Make-ahead brownie mix yields 12 fudgy brownies plus five mix-in variations: mint, coconut almond, raspberry hazelnut, cherry, and caramel pecan layered. The pantry shortcut you actually want.

Tropical fruit smoothie with frozen banana, fresh papaya, raspberries, and toasted wheat germ. A no-sugar-added blender drink ready in under 5 minutes.

Fat-free cinnamon-raisin biscotti made with egg whites. Twice-baked Italian cookies that crunch hard, dunk well, and skip butter and yolks entirely.

Light fudge brownie sundae with a self-saucing chocolate cake baked over a built-in fudge layer, topped with frozen yogurt. A reduced-fat dessert that uses applesauce in place of butter.

Lighter applesauce fruitcake with dates, raisins, walnuts, and candied fruit. No alcohol soak, no months of aging. Three loaves of moist holiday cake without the heaviness of traditional fruitcake.

Lighter banana bread made with egg whites, buttermilk, and vegetable oil instead of butter. Nutmeg and cloves add warm spice to this lower-fat loaf that stays moist for days.

Lighter chicken Waldorf salad with Granny Smith apple, mango, candied ginger, and walnuts in a tangy light mayo-chutney dressing. A tropical twist on the classic.

Lighter picadillo with lean beef, cinnamon, and cloves. Quick Mexican-spiced ground beef for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls.

Linda's fruitcake: brandy-soaked dates, citrus peel, raisins, almonds, and cherries folded into a spiced batter with a pineapple jam layer. Wrapped in brandy-soaked cheesecloth to age.

Linguine a la Greque with spinach, chickpeas, golden raisins, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. A quick vegan Greek-style pasta tossed together in 35 minutes from pantry staples.

Lisa's taffy apple dip with cream cheese, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla. A four-ingredient party dip that tastes like a caramel apple without the mess.

Light bran muffins with quick oats, bran flakes, raisins, and egg whites. A fat-free flour-free breakfast muffin under 75 calories with serious fiber for healthy mornings.

Light and airy fruit whip dessert made with fruit cocktail, orange gelatin, and whipped egg whites. A no-bake retro treat with bright citrus flavor and a creamy, mousse-like texture.

Little fruit cake squares packed with chopped dates, candied cherries, and pecans, baked in a 9-inch pan and rolled in powdered sugar. Bite-sized holiday treats.

Little plum cakes packed with currants and raisins, lemon zest, and nutmeg in a rich butter batter. A traditional English drop cake baked at high heat for golden, fruit-studded bites.

Pan-fried beef liver with onion rings and apple slices, smothered in a dark pan gravy with hot paprika. Old-fashioned liver and onions with a sweet apple twist.