Guilt-Free Desserts

No need to deprive yourself. These yummy sweets are full of flavor without all the calories.

Chocolate Pudding

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate Pudding

This chocolate pudding is everything you dream of—chocolaty rich, silky smooth, and light on calories!

Healthy Desserts: Banana Pudding

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Banana Pudding  

This pudding delivers a velvety rich custard, ripe banana flavor,  vanilla wafers so soft they melt in your mouth, and an irresistible golden-baked meringue topping. All this, and it's lower in fat and calories than traditional versions. These make great individual party desserts, or make it in an 8-inch square pan. We love it with extra wafers.

Layered Carrot Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Layered Carrot Cake

For this healthier version of carrot cake, we reduced the fat in the batter by using less vegetable oil and sugar, yet it is still as moist as traditional cakes. We also reduced the butter and used reduced-fat cream cheese for the frosting, without losing the flavor!

Healthy Desserts: Lemon-Cheesecake Bars

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Lemon-Cheesecake Bars

These lemony bars are a great make-ahead treat. For cleaner cuts, freeze ten minutes before slicing. They alo are best served chilled.

Healthy Desserts: Chocolate Fudge Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Chocolate Fudge Pie

You won't believe this rich chocolate pie is lightened. Better yet, it only requires four ingredients. Garnish the pie with fresh raspberries. 

Healthy Desserts: Cherry Bread Pudding

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Cherry Bread Pudding

Cherry Bread Pudding puts a guilt-free spin on a classic dessert. Tart cherries can help boost melatonin in the brain to regulate natural sleep patterns and ease jet lag. Add some toasted slivered almonds for a crunchy garnish, if you wish.

Healthy Dessert: Chocolate-Oatmeal Parfaits

Photo: Van Chaplin

Chocolate-Oatmeal Parfaits

A homemade chocolate pudding is even more luscious (yet still light) when layered with oatmeal granola and whipped topping. 

Healthy Dessert: Peach-Rhubarb Crisp

Photo: Van Chaplin

Peach-Rhubarb Crisp

Rhubarb adds fresh, tart flavor to the crisp, and peaches yield healthy antioxidants and other phytochemicals as well as a sweet taste. Serve this dish warm with low-fat vanilla ice cream, vanilla yogurt, or low-fat whipped topping.

Healthy Desserts: Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Tarte

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Tarte

Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte is soufflé-like in texture and abundant in heart-healthy antioxidants. Best of all, it cures any chocolate craving.

Healthy Desserts: Vanilla Ice Milk

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Vanilla Ice Milk

Ice milk has the same creamy vanilla taste as ice cream, but using milk instead of cream makes it light. This simple 6-ingredient recipe is the perfect treat to create in your ice cream maker without worrying about your waistline.

Healthy Desserts: Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake

Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake

Chocolate and coffee flavors mingle perfectly in this sinfully delicious cheesecake. The only thing missing is the guilt.

Healthy Desserts: Key Lime Pie

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Key Lime Pie

This slice of tropical heaven offers the best of both worlds—rich, creamy texture with fewer fat grams.

Limes are rich in vitamin C and contain antioxidants, called flavonoids, that help protect against cancer and other diseases. Key limes have the same healthful properties, but their acidity is much brighter and flavor more complex than regular limes, making them well suited for desserts and drinks.

Healthy Desserts: Blueberry-Almond Cobbler

Blueberry-Almond Cobbler

Don’t skip dessert. This crispy cobbler is chock-full of tasty super foods—berries, nuts, and oats. For a tangy treat, serve with low-fat lemon frozen yogurt.

Healthy Desserts: Berry Bread Pudding

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Berry Bread Pudding

Indulge in delicious, individually baked bread pudding with all its berry flavor—no extra calories included.

Top the pudding with our Raspberry Sauce, Whiskey Sauce, or Toasted Pecan-Caramel Sauce. You can also try Reduced-Sugar Bread Pudding with Reduced-Sugar Raspberry Sauce.

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