DH asked me to help him with some fundraisers for the ball this year. Fine, no problem. Well, along with my creativity making signs for their carwash, he wants me to...*gulp*...bake. Brownies and cookies and other things I haven't let myself eat in months. I'm worried that my finger will sneak its way into the batter just once...and by the time DH gets home from work, I'll be curled up on the floor clutching an empty bowl with batter all over my face crying.

Ok, not that serious of an issue, lol, but you get the idea. Any suggestions on how to avoid the bowl/spoon/beater licking mess that could ensue?

Does anyone know any healthier recipes for brownies and cookies? I have a good one for oatmeal cookies, but these Marines are going want chocolate stuff in their baked goods as well.

Not helping is not an option I'm willing to entertain. I'm one of the very few wives in the company period (most our guys are young and still single)...let alone being one who's willing to help. Also, my husband's the coodinator guy, so most of this falls on his shoulders; I'd like to help and support him.

Thanks!

Well....you could make stuff that you don't like to eat. I find that helpful.

You can make brownies lower in fat by substituting the oil for the same amount of applesauce.

I also brush my teeth and rinse with mouthwash right before baking and that makes me less likely to try it while baking.

I was just on www.allrecipes.com trying to find some recipes for you when I got an idea-is there anyway you could make "cookie Jars" instead. This way you are putting raw ingredients into a Jar so maybe wouldn't be as tempted. I even found one that's lower in fat

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranber...ks/Detail.aspx

Even better this recipe was reviewed 294 times and has a 5 star rating.

Also here's a link for cookie recipes on Cooking Light:

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/re...ooking%20Light

Here's brownies

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/re...=27&Submit.y=9

These recipes also are all rated so you might be able to find some good ones that way!

Do you have a supportive friend/family member who could help you make these cookies/brownies? Maybe share the responsibilites. You could measure everything out and have the pans etc. all ready(like they do on food shows) and they could be responsible for mixing and baking?

Another suggestion-I know most of us would probably feel safer if we did just make the lower fat/calorie recipes in case we would indulge but maybe having recipes that are Quick would be a better strategy to just get out of the kitchen as fast as possible. Maybe you could buy ready made cookie dough and do something creative. I found this site from pillsbury:

http://www.pillsbury.com/View/desser...kie_dough.aspx

Something like Coconut Macaroons are really Quick and Easy too. Here's another link:

http://www.eaglebrand.com/results.asp

Well sorry I've been so long winded hopefully something here is helpful!

Chew gum and chew more gum. It's hard to eat the batter with a big wad of gum in your mouth. That's the only way I get through "Mom, I need a cake for the cake walk. Mom, I need some cookies for a class party. Mom. Mom." And I chew something that would be totally disgusting with the sweet stuff like Orbit's Mojito flavored gum.

Brenda is a super baker, she might be able to help with this one. Me, not so much. I absolutely love dough of all kinds and have a very hard time not eating half of it when I am trying to bake something. Gum sounds like a good idea or perhaps a little reward for yourself if you make it through. It would need to be something you have wanted but wouldn't buy for yourself normally. “If I don’t have any licks then I can get that cool t-shirt I have been eyeing. Then if you do that, the t-shirt also becomes a great symbol of resistance and you can wear it on days that you think you might need some extra support.

Go to a bakery, and buy the stuff on the way to the bake sale. If you can't do that, find a little old lady at church or in the neighborhood who would bake for you if you bought the mix or ingredients. I've used gum before, and that works, just keep changing it out or your jaw will get sore.

I love the idea of the cookie mix jars. It will add something different to the table, and people can buy them for themselves, or to give as gifts.

I'm all about the gum idea. I am a grazer, big time. When I make lunch / snacks for the kids I nanny for, I pop the gum before I even start. It helps.

I really like the cookie jar idea! Sadly, more than most of the Marines live in the barracks with mini-fridges and microwaves... Maybe I'll try to cookie jar thing as a Welcome to the Building idea for newcomers!

I think I'm going to go witht he brushing my teeth and then chewing gum thing, lol. Should work fine. Thanks guys!

Think about all of the raw egg that is in unbaked dough. That's enough to keep me out of it, yuck!

gum or mints always work for me

It's like when I eat a polo and want something junky - SO doesn't taste very nice after mints

I'm rather fond of www.bakespace.com - I don't know how 'healthy' the recipes are I just live vicariously by looking at the pictures and not actually making any of the stuff lol (that and I really can't get to grips with the stick of this cup of that measurements you seem to have in the US?)

Im making chocolate marble cheesecake on thursday for a friends birthday at work... luckily I hate cheesecake

Oooh oooh! Cheesecake is an awesome idea! I don't like it at all, lol. Woot, thanks!