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44 Healthy Dessert Recipes That Can Help You With Your Goals

These nutritious treats are tasty enough to be savored.

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campfire pear crumblespinterest
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Trying to eat healthier? Don't skip dessert.

Really! Depriving yourself of all pleasure is the best way to ensure that you'll eventually give up—and go right back to unhealthy eating. Instead, moderation is the key. Give yourself small treats and eat them mindfully—so you get the most enjoyment from them. It will help you stick to your new eating habits long enough for them to stick. Below find a big list of our favorite quick and easy healthy desserts. From fruit-forward crisps to sweet chocolate treats, to cakey delights, these are treats that have some nutrition, but still make you feel like you're treating yourself.

1

Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn

sweet and savory peppermint popcorn
Becky Luigart-Stayner

On its own, popcorn is more of a healthy snack — but paired with a judicious helping of white chocolate and peppermint candies, it becomes a delectable dessert.

Get the recipe for Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn.

2

Watermelon Amaro Pops

watermelon amaro pops
Ren Fuller

Orange-flavored liquor give these grown-up pops a bold, fruity flavor, while a touch of agave syrup keeps them from being overly sweet.

Get the recipe for Watermelon Amaro Pops.

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3

White Chocolate Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark

white chocolate pomegranate pistachio bark
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Dark or white chocolate work equally well for this easy bark, but the pomegranates are a must: Besides nutrients and fiber, the fresh juicy burst of the seeds provides a perfect counterpoint to the chocolate.

Get the recipe for White Chocolate Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark.

4

Campfire Pear Crumbles

campfire pear crumbles
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Cover it with foil and bake it over coals for a smoky, toasty, fruit-forward treat that can't be matched!

Get the recipe for Campfire Pear Crumbles.

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5

Spiced Peach Hand Pies

spiced peach hand pies
Becky Luigart-Stayner

One of the benefits of these tasty hand pies is that they come in single-serving portions!

Get the recipe for Spiced Peach Hand Pies.

6

Puff Pastry Star Cookies

puff pastry star cookies
Becky Luigart-Stayner

These simple cookies are easy to make in a variety of shapes (though stars for July 4th are classic), and they have just four ingredients. Cut back on the dusted sugar to make them less sweet.

Get the recipe for Puff Pastry Star Cookies.

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7

Spiced Plum Galette

spiced plum galette
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Another fresh fruit treat, this simple dessert is easier to make than a pie—and (we think) prettier, too!

Get the recipe for Spiced Plum Galette.

8

Roasted Hazelnut & Pistachio Bark

roasted hazelnut  pistachio dark chocolate bark
Becky Luigart-Stayner

This decadent dessert is made from just three ingredients: dark chocolate, flaky salt, and toasted nuts. The darker the chocolate, the less sugar is in it!

Get the recipe for Roasted Hazelnut & Pistachio Bark.

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9

Brandied Strawberry Shortcakes with Malted Whipped Cream

brandied strawberry shortcakes with malted whipped cream
Becky Luigart-Stayner

You can cut back on the sugar to make this simple dessert even healthier—or skip the whipped cream and use yogurt instead!

Get the recipe for Strawberry Shortcakes.

10

Any Fruit Crisp

any fruit crisp
Becky Luigart-Stayner

This light, tart dessert has rolled oats, a touch of brown sugar, and whatever fresh fruit your heart desires!

Get the recipe for Any Fruit Crisp.

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11

Strawberry-Almond Crumble Pie

strawberryalmond crumble pie
Hector M. Sanchez

Fresh fruit is always a good way to get a healthy sweet treat. Oat-based crumbles add a bit more fiber than a standard pie crust topping.

Get the recipe for Strawberry-Almond Crumble Pie.

12

Marbled Tahini Shortbread Cookies

marbled tahini shortbread cookies
Becky Luigart-Stayner

These rich cookies have just 2 teaspoons of sugar per bar, and are flavored primarily with tahini paste!

Get the recipe for Marbled Tahini Shortbread Cookies.

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13

Mixed Berry Pie with Rye Crust

mixed berry pie with rye crust
Hector M. Sanchez

Rye flour adds fiber and cuts down on the calories in this tangy mixed-berry pie.

Get the recipe for Mixed Berry Pie with Rye Crust.

14

Poached Rhubarb with Yogurt

poached rhubarb with yogurt
Linda Pugliese

Fresh poached rhubarb is surprisingly easy to make, and when paired with good yogurt and homemade granola, it's the perfect sweet way to finish a meal.

Get the recipe for Poached Rhubarb with Yogurt.

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15

Lemon-Rosemary Tea Bread

lemon rosemary tea bread on plates with a cup of tea
Hector M. Sanchez

This cake slices up neatly for a not-too-sweet after-dinner treat. Serve it with dollops of whipped cream, or cut the sugar (and fat) with sour cream, or plain yogurt.

Get the recipe for Lemon-Rosemary Tea Bread.

16

Carrot-Nut Bread with Sour Cream Glaze

carrotnut bread with sour cream glaze
Hector M. Sanchez

It's like a sneaky way of getting everyone to eat their vegetables!

Get the recipe for Carrot Nut Bread.

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17

Chocolate-Cinnamon Marble Bread

chocolate cinnamon marble bread
Hector M. Sanchez

This quick bread scratches that cake itch without being quite so decadent. And because you're making it yourself, you can decide exactly how much sugar goes in.

Get the recipe for Chocolate-Cinnamon Marble Bread.

18

Blackberry Coconut Tart

blackberry coconut tart
Brian Woodcock

Fresh blackberries and coconut make for a delicious, not-too-sweet dessert.

Get the recipe for Blackberry Coconut Tart.

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19

Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel

banana bread with salted peanut streusel
Hector M. Sanchez

Just a small slice of this salty-sweet combo goes a long way. Halve the sugar to make it even healthier.

Get the recipe for Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel.

20

Raspberry Crumb Bars

raspberry crumb bars
Brian Woodcock

These crumb bars are full of rolled oats and fresh raspberries.

Get the recipe for Raspberry Crumb Bars.

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