
If you have a sweet tooth, it’s easier than you may realize to overdo it on sugar. The healthy dessert recipes that follow not only help keep sugar in check, they provide a nutrition boost.
“Anytime you can add in some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your desserts by adding fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, you’re improving your diet,” says Christy Brissette, RDN, the Chicago-based president of 80 Twenty Nutrition.
These 10 desserts are nutritious and simple to make, so you can whip them up the next time you’re craving something sweet.
How to Cook It: Flourless Chocolate Cake

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Chickpea Cookie Dough

Who doesn’t love to sneak a little cookie dough from the bowl? If that sounds like you, here’s some good news: You can eat this chocolate chip cookie dough without worrying about a stomachache, because there’s no raw egg or flour.
“The recipe calls for canned chickpeas and peanut butter, two classic pantry staples,” says Jackson Blatner. “Plus, they’re no-bake — just eat like cookie dough!”
Per serving (serves 24): 60 calories, 2g protein, 6g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 4.5g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 80mg sodium, 1g sugar, 0g added sugar
Almond Chocolate Mug Cake

There’s nothing cozier than curling up with a mug of something warm — especially when that mug is filled with cake. Unlike other mug cake recipes that use premade mixes filled with iffy processed ingredients, this recipe from Sydney-based blogger Monique Cormack, is made with simple, wholesome ingredients.
That means almond meal, maple syrup, cacao powder, and extra-virgin olive oil (a heart-healthier choice than butter). The almond meal, which is essentially ground almonds, along with the egg further boost the recipe’s protein content. Each serving is also a good source of fiber and iron.
Plus, each mug cake is ready in minutes, thanks to microwave cooking.
Per mug: 348 calories, 13g protein, 23g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 25g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 229mg sodium, 13g sugar
Almond Joy Coconut Macaroons

Feeling nostalgic for a classic treat? This macaroon recipe from Kaleigh McMordie, RDN, a blogger based in Lubbock, Texas, offers a healthier twist on Almond Joy candy bars.
McMordie's dessert philosophy: “Eat it, but make sure it’s worth it.” To her, homemade is almost always worth it. “Homemade desserts tend to be healthier, since they don’t need anything to make them shelf-stable for a certain period of time,” says McMordie.
None of the ingredients in her recipe are complicated or require scouring grocery store aisles — you’ll need shredded coconut, egg whites, dark chocolate, and almonds (plus a few other items).
Per serving (serves 15): 129 calories, 1.6g protein, 13.5g carbohydrates, 1.3g fiber, 7.9g total fat, 5.6g saturated fat, 196mg sodium, 11.6g sugar
Dark Chocolate Avocado Brownies: Healthy Dessert Recipe

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Chocolate Pistachio Truffles

Want to make a healthier swap for your favorite candy? Try this simple truffle from Brissette. It contains only four ingredients: pistachios, raw cacao, 100 percent pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
These mini treats take only five minutes to make, offering an easy way to get your treat fix.
Per truffle: 55 calories, 2g protein, 4g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 4g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 18mg sodium, 2g sugar, 1.3g added sugar
Grilled Peaches With Honey Ricotta

While eating a straight-up peach is a taste sensation on its own, you can get a little more creative with this simple grilled peach recipe from Boston-based Sarah Gold Anzlovar, RDN. “If you aren’t able to get outside to grill, there are oven directions as well,” says Gold Anzlovar.
Per serving (serves 4): 129 calories, 4.9g protein, 17g carbohydrates, 2.2g fiber, 6g total fat, 2.7g saturated fat, 26mg sodium, 14g sugar, 1.4g added sugar
Cherry Coconut Yogurt Bites

If you live somewhere known for high temperatures, chances are you’re looking for a dessert that will cool you down. Enter these cherry yogurt bites from New York City–based Natalie Rizzo, RD.
The refreshing treats, which taste like a chilled cheesecake, are so easy to make — seriously, just five minutes — and with only four ingredients, there’s really no reason not to try them. All you need is half a cup of cherries, coconut-flavored Greek yogurt or skyr, maple syrup or agave sweetener, and shredded coconut.
To prepare the yogurt bites, puree the cherries and mix the yogurt and maple syrup in a bowl. Then spoon the yogurt into a muffin tin, add the cherries and more yogurt, and sprinkle with the coconut, then freeze.
Per serving (serves 5): 80 calories, 5g protein, 14g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 1g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 25mg sodium, 12g sugar
Cocoa Coconut Chia Pudding

With this tasty recipe, you can reap the benefits of these super seeds. Think of it as a souped-up take on classic chocolate pudding. It makes a great dessert dip for apple or pear slices, too. Plus, like the other desserts here, it’s all about simplicity.
“These are vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, and can be made in a matter of minutes. They set overnight, so they’re very hands-off,” Hultin adds.
Per serving (serves 5): 152 calories, 5g protein, 17g carbohydrates, 11g fiber, 8g total fat, 1.4g saturated fat, 14mg sodium, 6.7g sugar
Peanut Butter, Raspberry, and Almond Butter Cups

Peanut butter cups earn the top slot on many people’s list of nostalgic desserts. With this healthier take on store-bought peanut butter cups from Mascha Davis, RDN, who is based in Los Angeles, you’ll get so much more than chocolate and a small dose of sugary peanut butter.
All it requires are two (preferably dark chocolate) peanut butter cups (ideally a low-sugar variety — Davis likes Lily’s Sweets), then top them with 1 tablespoon of almond butter and four raspberries, for one serving.
Per peanut butter cup: 241 calories, 7g protein, 18g carbohydrates, 6g fiber, 20g total fat, 7g saturated fat, 86mg sodium, 2g sugar
No-Bake Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies

Have a bag of oats in your cabinet and don’t know what to do with them? Here’s the solution: This easy cookie recipe from Malina Malkani, RDN, of Rye, New York.
Per cookie: 218 calories, 6.7g protein, 17g carbohydrates, 3g fiber, 15g total fat, 4.1g saturated fat, 105mg sodium, 10g sugar, 8.4g added sugar
Frozen Yogurt With Fresh Mix-Ins

Got extra yogurt in the fridge and tired of the same old parfait? Try turning it into a delicious homemade frozen yogurt.
The fruit gives you extra fiber, plus vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and potassium. Another perk of this chilly treat? It requires virtually no prep time and is ready in an hour, says Hedberg Link. Just load up a container or molds (Hedberg Link uses pineapple shapes) with the yogurt and mix ins, then layer on toppings and freeze.
The Takeaway
- Homemade desserts are generally healthier than the ultra-processed store-bought desserts that are often overloaded with sugar.
- Adding healthy ingredients like chickpeas and chia seeds to oats and fresh fruits can increase the nutritional value of a dessert.
- You can help make your dessert recipes more nutritious by using sweeteners like maple or agave syrup.