Source: Bethenny Bakes

Her Skinnygirl empire has been a hit with the health-conscious crowd, so it’s no surprise that Bethenny Frankel, newly-minted talk show host and former celebrated natural foods chef, would take a stab at delicious guilt-free versions of popular pumpkin recipes for fall.

Below are two classics that Frankel reworked with her talent for “fix-ology” – a term she coined for the ability to take calorie-rich foods and revamp them into healthier versions without compromising flavor. For more of Frankel’s favorite healthy recipes, go to Bethenny.com.

Bethenny Frankel’s Pumpkin Spice Muffins (Makes 1 dozen)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups oat flour
• 2 cups raw sugar
• 2 T unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup unsalted walnuts
• 12 muffin cups

Directions:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine raw sugar, melted butter, oil, eggs, pumpkin and water. Beat for 90 seconds, or until well mixed.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices, stirring until no streaks remain.
3. Combine flour mixture and pumpkin mixture. Stir in nuts and cranberries; stirring only until all ingredients are mixed.
4. Cover batter, and allow it to set at room temperature for 60 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F.
6. Place muffin cups in muffin holders and fill 2/3 of the way full.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until muffins tops spring back when lightly touched.
8. If the muffins will be frozen, allow them to cool for 1 hour, then tightly wrap in plastic wrap; store in freezer zipper bags.
9. To reheat, wrap loosely in foil and bake for 5-10 minutes at 350°F. (Or they may be reheated in the microwave wrapped loosely in a damp paper towel.)

Bethenny Frankel’s Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients for crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham crackers, crushed finely (approximately 9-10)
• 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Ingredients for filling:

• 2 8 oz. containers reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup raw sugar plus 2 teaspoons
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1 can of 15 oz. pumpkin (do not substitute pumpkin pie filling!)
• 1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the crushed graham crackers, butter, applesauce, and ground ginger.
3. Press into the bottom, and about 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
4. Bake crust 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Set aside to cool.
5. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 1/2 cup raw sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Mix eggs in one at a time, blending well after each.
6. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture. Blend 1/4 cup raw sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar and nutmeg into the remaining mixture.
7. Spread the pumpkin flavored batter into the crust, and drop the plain batter by spoonfuls onto the top. Swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
8. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until filling is set.
9. Run a knife around the edge of the pan, and allow the cake to cool before removing pan rim.
10. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.