Give into your sweet tooth without derailing your health goals! We know how hard it can be to ditch the desserts when you’re starting a diet or simply are trying to eat healthier. That’s why this collection features delicious and healthy dessert recipes, including keto-friendly delights, gluten-free cakes, vegan cheesecakes, and low-sugar treats. These recipes prove that satisfying your cravings doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your wellness journey. Discover how to enjoy delicious desserts while staying on track with your New Year’s resolutions and savor the success.
Healthy Dessert Recipes for Your Dietary Needs
Recipes For a Small Nutritious Step Forward
Simple Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread is a delicious and sneaky way to get your kids (and let’s admit it, sometimes even ourselves) to eat their vegetables! Full of zucchini and bursting with chocolate, this moist bread is sure to be a hit for anyone’s chocolate cravings. The addition of espresso powder enhances the flavor, making it even more irresistible and adult-worthy.
Miso Tahini Swirl Healthy Brownies
This unique recipe incorporates the nutrient-rich powerhouses of tahini and miso paste, adding a surprising depth of flavor to this classic treat. Beyond their delicious taste and health benefits, these brownies offer a touch of the unexpected. Experiment with different swirling techniques to create beautiful and artistic designs within the batter.
Guilt Free Peanut Butter Cups
One of the hardest parts of starting a diet or getting around food allergies is having to give up most of the candy you get from the store. But, don’t worry, with our Guilt Free Peanut Butter Cups, you can still have your Reese’s Cups and save a little money while you’re at it. We think dark chocolate and sugar-free peanut butter go better together anyways.
Apple Bourbon Quinoa Cake
We know you may not normally see quinoa in cake recipes but once you try it, you may just never go back. Quinoa is a rich source of protein and fiber, making sure to aid your body as your taste buds focus on the flavor. The end product is a satisfyingly dense cake with a dash of bourbon and hot apples on top.
Gluten-Free Desserts
Gluten-Free Whole Grain Apple Cider Layer Cake
This dreamy Gluten-Free Apple Cider Layer Cake is one of our personal favorites from the TABLE Magazine archives. Even though it features a delightful blend of classic holiday spices and a touch of whiskey, this moist cake is still perfect for any occasion (especially birthdays). We also recommend getting creative with your decorating. After all, it’s a masterpiece inside and out!
Gluten-Free Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
The delicate flavors of these Gluten-Free Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies will hook you with one bite. We craft these cookies with almond flour, lending a bit of sweetness to the flavor, and then add in fragrant Earl Grey tea. Perfect for sharing with friends and family alongside a cup of tea, these shortbread cookies are not only delicious but also a healthier alternative to traditional flour-based treats.
Gluten-Free Pound Cake with Stewed Fruit and Mascarpone
A topping of luscious stewed fruit compote and creamy mascarpone intermingles with a moist and tender texture in this recipe. Our Gluten-Free Pound Cake proves that a cake can be just as delicious without the addition of regular flour. Instead, we use whole-grain sorghum flour, adding a subtle nuttiness and a touch of earthy undertones.
Gluten-Free 7 Spice Oatmeal and Golden Raisin Cookies
This recipe for Gluten-Free 7 Spice Oatmeal and Golden Raisin Cookies showcases the ease of baking with gluten-free grains. A delightful blend of warm spices and sweet raisins, these cookies are both scrumptious and easy to digest. With a focus on flavor and texture, these crisp and crunchy cookies are a delightful treat to make on a whim.
Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake
Our journey towards the perfect chocolate cake came with a surprise turn when we ran out of all-purpose flour while testing. This led us to experiment with Caputo gluten-free baking flour from Italy, and the results were better than we originally thought. The cake emerged with a remarkably rich, smooth, and moist texture that we have not been able to recreate otherwise.
Whole Grain, Gluten-Free Mixed Berry Pie
The berries in this gluten-free and whole grain pie are up to you as we handle the hard work for making the perfect crust. Healthy and delicious coexist in this blend of nutritious grains. Serve it warm from the oven with a scoop of vegan or dairy-free ice cream for a combination you don’t have to feel guilty eating.
Keto Desserts
Easy Keto Pumpkin Spice Frosty
Craving the taste of something sweet without the sugar crash? This keto-friendly Pumpkin Spice Frosty recipe delivers all the flavors of dessert that you love without the toll on your body. Creamy pumpkin spice goodness tastes even better when you’re staying true to your health goals. This way you can still have your fall staple without compromising your keto journey
Low Carb Keto Lemon Cranberry Quick Bread
Indulge your sweet tooth without compromise featuring fall flavors with this Keto Lemon Cranberry Quick Bread. This delicious recipe satisfies your cravings for a bright, comforting treat while staying true to your health goals. Plus, the use of simple and fresh ingredients make this a recipe that even a beginner baker can take on.
Keto Pumpkin Donuts
These Keto Pumpkin Donuts are a revelation for those following a ketogenic diet. They’re fluffy, homemade, gluten-free, low-carb, and sugar-free. Plus, who can deny the addicting taste of warming pumpkin spice? Now you can have your coffee and donuts in the morning with no worries of the aftermath.
Vegan Desserts
Vegan Berry Macadamia Cheesecake
This elegant dessert builds out of vibrant layers of red berries and a creamy, plant-based cheesecake filling. Macadamia nuts and cashews are the secret ingredients to a deep, rich flavor that vegans and those with lactose allergies can bite into. Plus, the slather of fresh berries on top appeals to the eyes as well as the stomach.
Vegan Apple Cider Muffins
Vegan muffins are a nutrient-full way to start your morning or just to have as a snack between meals. The blend of juicy apples and spices is one that kids and adults will both fall in love with. These muffins are also oil-free for clean eating and use an egg replacement such as Ener-g egg replacer powder.
Gluten-Free, Vegan Jammy Blueberry Bars
The versatile crust of these Vegan Jammy Blueberry Bars is a recipe to keep in your back-pocket for making other desserts vegan-friendly. In fact, this inclusive recipe is free of the top eight allergens and is even gluten-free to appeal to just about anyone. Try pairing them with a small bowl of vegan yogurt to start your day.
Vegan Mexican Chocolate Tart
Ground cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and chili powder mix into dark chocolate to create a tart that upgrades your regular Mexican chocolate. The vegan aspect comes from using vegan butter, coconut cream, walnut butter, and chickpeas for the meringue. After using a torch on the top, this Vegan Mexican Chocolate Tart is ready to turn heads away from the usual desserts you see.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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