We have the cutest little cupcake store about 15 minutes from my house.

Cupcakes have become increasingly popular during the last decade. And similar to the frozen yogurt craze, you’ve probably noticed shops specializing in the dessert popping up all across your city. If not, you’ve probably caught Cupcake Wars on TV, or another show of the same variety. Whatever your experience with the new cupcake trend may be, you’ve got to admit: there’s definitely a reason behind it.

I find that cupcakes are the perfect desserts if you’re having a little get together or party, or even just having a momentary sweet craving. Of course, we all have those days when we’re not super hungry, in fact, we may have eaten a little more than we should have throughout the day, but we can’t get rid of a serious desire for a little something sweet.

And if we’re being honest, we all know we probably shouldn’t eat an entire cupcake. Especially not one from said delicious bakery. (Or is it a cupcakery??)

Luckily my neighborhood cupcake joint has a solution for that. As does any Starbucks within a 100 mile radius of my house.

Cake pops.

If you haven’t heard of cake pops, you will soon. They’re basically a cupcake’s younger, smaller sister. Basically, a bite-sized piece of cake on a stick; almost like a lollipop. These babies are the perfect treat for your occasional (or in my case, daily) sweet tooth because they’re large enough that you’ll be fully satisfied, but not too large where you end up with the stomach ache or guilt a cupcake would result in.

Yet, as I said before, we all have those days where we’ve already eaten too much and a 170 calorie cake pop would definitely not help the matter, no matter how many jumping jacks you swear you’ll do the next day. After all, it’s hard to be guilt-free when something’s packed with sugar, oil, and processed white flour.

Unless, of course, it’s healthy. And contains nothing but healthy, whole ingredients. And is only 63 calories. And gluten and dairy free. And completely guilt-free.

In that case, you might as well eat two!

Skinny Vanilla Cake Pops

Vanilla Cake Pops

• 1/2 c old fashioned oats
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbs coconut oil
• 1/4 c stevia
• 1/2 tsp honey
• 1 egg white (or 2 tbs egg whites)
• 1 1/4 vanilla extract
• 1/4 c milk of choice (I used almond milk)

Chocolate Icing

• 2 tbs coconut oil
• 1 tbs cocoa powder
• 1 tbs chocolate chips
• 1 tbs powdered sugar

Preheat (or simply turn on) cake pop maker. Process oats and chia seeds in a food processor or blender until they’ve reached the consistency of oat flour. In a small bowl, mix coconut oil, stevia, and honey on low. Once the texture’s reached a grainy consistency, add egg white and whip on high until fully combined. Add oats, baking soda, and baking powder and stir until just combined. Mix in milk of choice and vanilla extract until smooth. Grease the cake pop maker and spoon about 1 tbs of the batter into each of the “dips” of the maker. Bake 4 to 5 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool before icing.

Melt coconut oil and chocolate chips in a small bowl, microwaving for 15 second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth (about 45 seconds total). Stir in cocoa powder and powdered sugar until smooth. Once cake pops have cooled, pierce about 1/2 way through with cake pop sticks/skewers. Set in freezer for about 15 minutes, until slightly chilly. Submerge in chocolate mixture and remove, spinning back and forth slowly to allow the set slightly. After it’s stopped dripping, place the cake pop in either a cake pop stand or short glass. Continue the process until all of the cake pops have been coated. Set in the freezer for 10 minutes. Once the icing has set, remove from freezer and dip in chocolate mixture again (if it’s hardened, microwave for 15 seconds then stir until smooth). Fully coat, then top with sprinkles, coconut flakes, or other toppings of choice. Set in freezer for 10 additional minutes, until the icing has completely set. Remove and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (from myfitnesspal.com)

Calories: 63

Fat: 5g

Carbs: 4g

Protein: 1g

(Yields 13 cake pops)

Nutritional information includes calories contributed by icing. Each un-iced cake pop has 34 calories, 2 grams of fat, 2 carbs, and 1 gram of protein. Feel free to ice with your own icing or glaze of choice.