Guilt-Free Desserts

By Southern Living

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

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Chocolate Pudding

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chocolate Pudding

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

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Banana Pudding 

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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Layered Carrot Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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!

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Lemon-Cheesecake Bars

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemon-Cheesecake Bars

These lemony bars are a great make-ahead treat. Use fresh orange juice and zest instead of lemon for a different flavor profile.

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Chocolate Fudge Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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Cherry Bread Pudding

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: 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.

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Chocolate-Oatmeal Parfaits

Photo: Van Chaplin

Recipe: Chocolate-Oatmeal Parfaits

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

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Peach-Rhubarb Crisp

Photo: Van Chaplin

Recipe: 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.

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Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Tarte

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Tarte

This torte is soufflé-like in texture and abundant in heart-healthy antioxidants. Best of all, it cures any chocolate craving.

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Vanilla Ice Milk

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake

Recipe: Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake

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

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Key Lime Pie Recipe

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Key Lime Pie

As the weather gets warmer, cool down with a classic summer treat! These sweet-tart key lime pie recipes will have your guests diving in for another bite.

This first slice of tropical heaven offers the best of both worlds—rich, creamy texture with fewer fat grams. Don't be tempted to substitute bottled lime juice—it doesn't compare to fresh.

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Blueberry-Almond Cobbler

Recipe: 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.

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Berry Bread Pudding

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: 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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