LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Halloween to New Year's Day is known as the "food season" as there is an abundance of holidays that revolve around large quantities of high calorie treats. The current estimation of a typical Thanksgiving meal is set at 3,000 calories.
So beyond dieting, one of the smartest ideas is to simply enjoy a smaller quantity of your favorite foods like dessert.
The average piece of pumpkin pie is about 350 calories, pecan about 500 and add whip cream you've got 100 calories more.
But little personal desserts provide about three to four bites, so they'll satisfy without blowing your calorie bank.
"And you can make desserts in small ramekins, any kind of oven proof dish. A few bites, two or three bites," said Cindie Flannigan, a food stylist.
Flannigan says they've got great eye appeal and they deliver much less food than you would normally get.
Her mini mouthwatering ideas? A chocolate mousse parfait with cherry preserves using store bought or homemade brownies or pecan bread pudding with hot caramel sauce, which Flannigan says is a lovely way to use up stale bread. You can also try mini pumpkin pies and adorable apple pies in mason jars.
"This is especially nice if you're serving more than one dessert so you're not over feeding people," said Flannigan.
RECIPES
Personal Apple Pies
To make these little apple pies, use your favorite apple pie recipe and five 8-ounce or six 6-ounce mason jars.
Caramel Pecan Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch ground nutmeg
4 large eggs, beaten
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 loaf Italian bread, thickly sliced and torn into small pieces
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup dried currants (optional)
1/2 cup prepared caramel sauce
Directions:
Mini Pumpkin Pies
To make mini pumpkin pies simply use your favorite pumpkin pie recipe and divide dough and filling among six 3-ounce ramekins.
Chocolate Mousse Parfaits
All the pieces of this recipe can be made the day before. Assemble up to 6 hours before serving.
Ingredients:
4 large egg yolks
4 tablespoons baker's sugar
2 1/2 cups cup heavy cream, chilled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 ounces good quality dark chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 cups brownies or chocolate cookies, crumbled
6 brownies or 12 large chocolate cookies, crumbled
1 (12 ounce) jar cherry or raspberry preserves
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Directions: