Recipe Adventure: Holiday Desserts

It can be hard not to overindulge during the holiday season. Everywhere you turn, there’s another festive cupcake or fancy macaron calling your name.

But just because you want to celebrate with treats like cakes, cookies and pies doesn’t mean you can’t be smart about the choices you make.

By making healthy ingredient swaps (goodbye heavy cream and butter, hello cottage cheese, avocados and black beans), you can still feel good about the way you feel.

Here are a few sweet ways to enjoy a healthy (yet delicious) holiday season.

Smart cookies

Your stand mixer stands at the ready. With cookie-making at an all-time high during the holiday season, recipes that boast healthy substitutions like chickpea puree in these Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies or the use of dates (and no white sugar) in these Double Chocolate Icebox Cookies will quickly become the stars of your holiday (baking) celebration.

More holiday cookie recipes

• Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies.
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.
• Low-Fat Chocolate Cherry Cookies.
• Low-Fat Holiday Sugar Cookies.

Spice of life

We’re all about building a gingerbread house or sipping on a gingerbread latte during this time of year, but don’t forget that ginger also spices up desserts like these Chewy Gingerbread Cookies or Holiday Gingersnaps.

Berry much

The bounty of delicious fruits available this season shines bright. And when you make desserts like the Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp, Poached Pomegranate Pears and Kumquats or No Bake Berry Bread Pudding, they’re not only full of wonderful flavors, but also come with easy instructions for no-fuss treats.

More fruit-based dessert recipes

• Mango Almond Celebration Cake.
• Orange Upside Down Cake.
• Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberries and Mint.
• Warm Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Crisp.

In pie we crust

Get ready to roll out healthier versions of your favorite holiday pies by starting off with a Whole Wheat Pie Crust, which cuts down on the amount of saturated fats. A Low-Fat Crunchy Pumpkin Pie utilizes skim milk in the filling and ground almonds and cooking oats in the crust. The Skinny Chocolate Cream Pie, though made with fat-free half-and-half and dark cocoa, is a rich, decadent treat.

More pie recipes

• A Healthier Pumpkin Pie.
• Key Lime Mousse Pie.

Before you cocoa

What are the holidays without some chocolate? If you’re looking for a tasty, healthy homemade gift, look no further than Chocolate Bark with Espresso and Toasted Nuts, which are only 70 calories per serving. And these Fudgy Black Bean Brownies are great for anyone who is gluten-free. Made with dark chocolate and silken tofu, the Velvety Mint Chocolate Mousse is not only easy to make, but will also look elegant on your dessert table.

More chocolate recipes

• Avocado Brownie Bites.
• White Chocolate Peppermint Pudding.
• No-Bake Dark Chocolate Walnut Dessert Bar.
• Decadent Chocolate Souffle.

Top of the morning

Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast? Pour a cup of coffee or tea and start your day with these Whole-Wheat Cranberry Scones or Low-Cal Chocolate-Walnut Biscotti, which are only 60 calories per serving. And if you’re looking for something fun for the kiddos (or the kids in all of us), try the Homemade Pop Tarts.

More breakfast treat recipes

• Classic Orange-Almond Biscotti.
• Morning Glory Chia Seed Muffins.
• Pumpkin Spice Muffins.
• Whole-Grain Cranberry Orange Muffins.

Say cheese

Is there anything more decadent than cheesecake? These lightened-up versions mean you can indulge without worry. The French Vanilla Cheesecake Topped With Cherries and the Lighter New York Style Cheese are both made with cottage cheese and light cream cheese for a lighter, airy take on the classic.