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15 Holiday Dessert Recipes You Won't Believe Are Actually Healthy

This holiday season, go ahead and celebrate with all these sweet treats, guilt-free.
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Just because it's the holiday season doesn't mean you should let all semblance of health-conscious eating fly out the window. But it also doesn't mean you have to skip out on eating dessert either. After all, what's better than munching on some cookies you decorated with your loved ones? It's possible you can still indulge during the most wonderful time of the year without having to worry about losing track of your overall health goals. We've compiled all the best healthy holiday desserts perfect for any celebration that just so happen to be healthy for you, too. All your family and friends will be asking for the recipes once they take a bite of any of these tasty treats.

Here are 15 healthy holiday desserts you can easily make.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Low-calorie chocolate chip cookies
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

There's nothing wrong with sticking with the classics. This recipe contains less butter than a typical chocolate chip recipe, but no one will be able to tell the difference, not even Santa himself. It's one of our favorite healthy holiday desserts that will probably enter your regular baking rotation.

Get our recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Molten Chocolate Cake

Molten chocolate cake
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

When thinking of molten chocolate cake, the last thing you'd probably think of is healthy. But our recipe only has 320 calories per cake, so you can't even feel bad eating this decadent treat. And anything chocolate during the holiday season is always a true gift.

Get our recipe for Molten Chocolate Cake.

Sugar Cookies

finished sugar cookies on a cooling rack
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

There's nothing more fun during the holiday season than decorating festive cookies with friends and family. This sugar cookie recipe is going to be your go-to for that. Time to whip out the cookie cutters!

Get our recipe for Sugar Cookies.

Banana Nutella Crepes

Banana nutella crepe
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

On Christmas morning, if you're not starting with these banana Nutella crepes, you're doing it wrong. Sometimes dessert for breakfast is just the perfect choice, and that chocolatey Nutella is the perfect way to get energized to open all those presents.

Get our recipe for Banana Nutella Crepes.

Banana Pudding

Low-calorie banana pudding
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Comfort food during the holiday season is an absolute must and this banana pudding recipe is the greatest way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the crazy calories. If you're looking for the perfect way to top off Christmas dinner, this is it.

Get our recipe for Banana Pudding.

The easy way to make healthier comfort foods.

Chocolate Covered Almond Clusters

Dark Chocolate-Covered Almond Clusters with Coconut Matcha Sprinkle
Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Chocolate turtles get an upgrade thanks to these chocolate covered almond clusters that you should absolutely put into your holiday dessert rotation. They're the perfect treat to bring to a holiday party or dinner.

Get our recipe for Chocolate Covered Almond Clusters.

Apple Cranberry Crisp

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

Ideal for a crowd, this apple cranberry crisp will keep you and all your guests warm and full this winter. Sometimes, you just need a break from all the chocolate, and this dessert is definitely that.

Get our recipe for Apple Cranberry Crisp.

Apple Turnover

Low-calorie crispy apple turnover
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

The greatest part about apple turnovers is they're like mini apple pies that you get to have all to yourself. No need to share these sweet treats this holiday season, as one is just 200 calories.

Get our recipe for Apple Turnover.

Grilled Apricots

Vegetarian grilled apricots
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

This dessert is mostly fruit, so even though it tastes sweet and delicious, it's only 170 calories. Not only are these grilled apricots the perfect after-dinner treat, but they even make a great breakfast.

Get our recipe for Grilled Apricots.

Chocolate Dipped Bananas

Dark chocolate dipped bananas
Waterbury Publications, Inc.

These dark chocolate-dipped bananas are customizable, so you can decorate the outside with any toppings you love. But flaky sea salt and almonds are our choice!

Get our recipe for Chocolate Dipped Bananas.

Jelly Thumbprint Cookie

close up of thumbprint cookies on a cooling rack
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

If you looked at these cookies and they reminded you of Rudolph's nose, you're not the only one. These jelly thumbprint cookies are a holiday essential that will be a household favorite.

Get our recipe for Jelly Thumbprint Cookies.

Sticky Toffee Date Cake

Jason Donnelly

Looking for the perfect pair to your coffee or tea on Christmas morning? This sticky toffee date cake is less than 250 calories per serving and contains all the spices of the holidays.

Get our recipe for Sticky Toffee Date Cake.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

snickerdoodle cookies in a pile with a bite in one cookie
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Another great cookie option for Santa, these snickerdoodles will be gone in seconds after they pop out of the oven. Is there anything better than cookies covered in cinnamon-sugar? Definitely not.

Get our recipe for Snickerdoodle Cookies.

Warm Banana Split in a Rum Sauce

Low-calorie banana rum splits
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

If you ask us, ice cream is good in any season. And there's no better way to warm up than a rum sauce and caramelized bananas to go with it.

Get our recipe for the Warm Banana Split in a Rum Sauce.

Poached Pears with Spiced Sauce

poached pear with spiced chocolate sauce in white bowl with fork
Jason Donnelly

You will not believe the flavor a pear gets once it's poached, and throw this incredible spiced chocolate sauce on top, and you're set for the holidays this year. And it's only 217 calories—we're sold.

Get our recipe for Poached Pears with Spiced Sauce.

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Rachel Linder
Rachel is an Associate Editor responsible for compiling the daily Eat This, Not That! newsletter, making TikTok and YouTube videos for the brand, writing articles for the site, creating original graphics and providing direct assistance to the editors when needed. Read more about Rachel