Drumroll, please, and now the part of the holiday meal we’ve all been waiting for…desserts! This year we’ve compiled a list of ogle-worthy treats your guests are sure to appreciate. Traditional pies and tarts top our list but so did popular alternatives like cheesecake. And just in case your bird is taking up too much oven space, we’ve also listed some scrumptious no-bake desserts. Click away, bake away, and starting clinking away with your dessert fork! Some are healthier than others, but the we’re all entitled to splurge every now and then, right?
PIES & TARTS
Skinny Pumpkin Pie | Skinnytaste
Pumpkin pie is a traditional holiday favorite and it still tastes just as delicious lightened up with this recipe for skinny pumpkin pie. Skinnytaste shares one simple trick for reducing calories which focuses on the one pie component responsible for most of its calories and fat! Recipe makes 8 servings.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 172; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 28mg; Sodium: 124mg; Total Carbohydrate: 31g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugars: 21g; Protein: 4g
Honey Pecan Tart with Bittersweet Chocolate | Cooking Light
Looking for a pecan pie recipe that isn’t sickeningly sweet? Traditional pecan pie turns tart through a flavor update with honey’s sweet-tangy touch countered by a drizzle of bittersweet chocolate. Recipe makes 12 servings.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 291; Total Fat: 14g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 53mg; Sodium: 169mg; Total Carbohydrate: 42g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugars: 21g; Protein 3g
Apple Pie with Pecan Oat Topping | Clean Eating
Apple pie is a classic dessert and the ultimate comfort food. With this recipe for apple pie with pecan oat topping you can have comfort food and still have it be lower in calories, fat and sugar compared to the traditional version. Top each slice with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a light and creamy à la mode. Recipe makes 10 servings.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 257; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 19mg; Sodium: 146mg; Total Carbohydrate: 47g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugars: 25g; Protein 3g
CREAMY CUSTARDS & CHEESECAKES
Brown Sugar Pumpkin Creme Brulee | White on Rice Couple
This is almost like pumpkin pie but instead of a graham cracker crust you have a crusty, caramelized sugar topping. Because it’s crustless this is a great option for gluten-free guests. The recipe is decadence in a ramekin cup so if you’d like to reduce the calories and fat here’s our suggestion: For every 1 cup of heavy whipping cream replace it with 1 cup fat-free milk mixed with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Recipe makes 8 servings at 1 ramekin (5″ diameter by 1″ deep) per serving.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 421; Total Fat: 39g; Saturated Fat: 22g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 235mg; Sodium: 108mg; Total Carbohydrate: 23g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugars: 20g; Protein 2g
Low-Sugar Raspberry Cheesecake with Pecan Crust | Kalyn’s Kitchen
If you’re entertaining sugar-conscious guests then try this recipe for low-sugar raspberry cheesecake. Cheesecake is the perfect type of dessert for sugar-watchers because there’s plenty of creaminess to make up for any loss in sweetness. This recipe sweetens with some Splenda but you can just as easily replace sugar back into the equation if desired. Recipe makes 10 servings.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 207; Total Fat: 16g; Saturated Fat: 6g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 44mg; Sodium: 188mg; Total Carbohydrate: 7g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 4g; Protein 7g
Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooters | Skinnytaste
Portion control is at the heart of this recipe for pumpkin cheesecake shooters because every guest gets their own shot glass! Creamy layers of pumpkin cream cheese goodness alternates with airy whipped topping and is sprinkled with crunchy, chocolate graham cracker bits. Recipe makes 16 servings of 1 shooter each, but the calories are low enough you can actually have more than 1 shot.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 78; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 5mg; Sodium: 17mg; Total Carbohydrate: 12g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugars: 8g; Protein 1g
NO BAKE DESSERTS
Gluten-Free No Bake Mini Fruit Pizzas| Pinch of Yum
No bake mini fruit pizzas is a fun dessert that is loaded with nutritious ingredients! The flour-less crust is made with from medjool dates, almond butter, pecans and chia seeds to give it more texture. The coconut cream cheese filling richly robes the fruit topping of your choice. Recipe makes 12 mini fruit pizzas.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 345; Total Fat: 15g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 13mg; Sodium: 153mg; Total Carbohydrate: 54g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugars: 37g; Protein 5g
Dark Chocolate Maple Caramel Pecans| Clean Eating
Subtly sweet pears are easily elevated to dessert status with a rich, spiced chocolate coating topped by a decadent maple caramel drizzle. Dress up each pear with skewers tied with a cute ribbon or tassel and you’ve got a healthy holiday dessert! Recipe makes 12 to 14 pears pending on size.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 200; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 3mg; Total Carbohydrate: 37g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugars: 22g; Protein 3g
Raw Mini Apple Pies| Eating Bird Food
Raw mini apple pies get their sweetness from nature’s candy–fruits! The recipe capitalizes on ripe apples and medjool dates to lend sweetness to the dish. These apple pies can be made in advance and stored in the freezer until you and your guests are ready to thaw and gnaw. Recipe makes 12 mini pies.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 184; Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 44mg; Total Carbohydrate: 37g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugars: 31g; Protein 2g
No Bake Fluffy Cranberry Pie| White on Rice Couple
Fluffy cranberry pie is a heavenly treat for any holiday! A no-bake graham cracker crust plus creamy cranberry filling is ready in 30 minutes. The recipe calls for cranberry sauce so make extra if you’re already planning for cranberry sauce at the feast. This pie is fluffy for a reason so if you want to reduce calories and fat we suggest: 1) buying reduced fat cream cheese and 2) substituting every 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with 1 cup fat-free milk mixed with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Recipe makes 10 servings.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 341; Total Fat: 29g; Saturated Fat: 18g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 94mg; Sodium: 196mg; Total Carbohydrate: 18g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugars: 12g; Protein 3g
