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Healthy Cookie & Dessert Recipes

Find healthy, delicious dessert recipes including brownies, cakes, cookies, and pie recipes. Healthier recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.

Blueberry-Swirl Buttermilk Ice Cream

This gorgeous homemade ice cream is the perfect Summer treatr, thanks to bold swirls of blueberry syrup that cut through tart buttermilk-yogurt cream.

Blueberry-Swirl Buttermilk Ice Cream

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Do not miss this healthier version of the classic summer cake. We add nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt to whipped cream to lighten up the filling and give it a little tang.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Raspberry-Lemon Chiffon Icebox Cake

You can use a mix of berries as the topping for this classic summertime dessert-we like combining regular raspberries, golden raspberries, and blackberries.

Raspberry-Lemon Chiffon Icebox Cake

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

Almond flour provides the base for this tender gluten-free cake that is filled with carrots, spices and just a hint of coconut.

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

Bev's Chocolate Chip Cookies

EatingWell reader Beverley Sharpe of Santa Barbara, California, contributed this healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe. She gave chocolate chip cookies a healthy update by cutting back on sugar and incorporating whole grains. To increase protein, Sharpe replaces the rolled oats with 1 cup almond meal.

Glazed Chocolate-Pumpkin Bundt Cake

You don't have to have pumpkin pie to still enjoy pumpkin and spice in a Thanksgiving dessert. Pumpkin helps keep this cake tender and moist while, delicate spices add the classic Thanksgiving flavors.

Unicorn Cupcakes

Turn an easy vanilla cupcake recipe into an impressive mythical creature with just a couple marshmallows, a dash of sprinkles and a perfectly placed candle. Kids will flip for these unicorn treats, and you'll flip over how easy and quick they are to decorate. A birthday party win for kids and adults alike!

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Flourless Honey-Almond Cake

Honey and almonds flavor this simple (and gluten-free) cake. It's lovely for afternoon tea or a spring holiday dessert. Be careful not to overbeat the egg whites--they should be white and very foamy, but not at all stiff or able to hold peaks. If you beat them too much, the cake may sink in the middle as it cools.

Vegan No-Bake Cookies

Almond butter and coconut oil melt together to bind these stovetop cookies without using any eggs. To take the flavor to the next level, try subbing in your favorite nut butter.

Confetti Birthday Cake

This simple two-layer cake has colored sprinkles baked right in for a fun surprise in every bite, just like a Funfetti cake. It's perfect for birthdays or any occasion that calls for a celebration. Look for naturally colored sprinkles in the baking aisle of your local natural-foods store or find them online.

Red Wine Chocolate Lava Cakes

These perfectly portioned molten cupcakes combine two of your favorite things--red wine and chocolate. When cut open, this easy yet decadent dessert oozes with a gooey chocolate center that pairs perfectly with the wine-and-chocolate ganache drizzled on top.

Mini Molten Chocolate Cakes with Mocha Sauce

Pineapple Coconut Bites

Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles

Double Nut & Date Tassies

Bite-Size Dessert Recipes

Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to make a sweet treat, try one of these perfectly portioned bite-sized dessert recipes. They’re the ideal addition to a cocktail party buffet, since most can be eaten without a fork. Enjoy a little something sweet with these delicious dessert recipes.

Chocolate Souffle

Rustic Pear Tart

Quick "Cheesecake"

Strawberry-Black Pepper Tart for Two

Desserts for Two

End your dinner for two on a sweet note with our decadent dessert recipes for chocolate fondue, cheesecake, fruit crisp, puddings and more delicious desserts. These healthy dessert recipes are perfectly portioned to share, so you and your sweetie can healthfully indulge your sweet tooth.

Frozen Raspberry Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Blueberry Cupcakes

Dark Cherry Bundt Cake

EatingWell's Best Dessert Recipes

Make one of EatingWell's best dessert recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth!

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Melon & Apple Granita

Strawberry-Rhubarb Quinoa Pudding

Grilled Nectarines with Mascarpone Cream

Healthy MyPlate-Inspired Dessert Recipes

These delicious dessert recipes make it easy to eat healthfully and in line with the USDA's MyPlate Guidelines. These healthy recipes meet the MyPlate guidelines for calories, portion size, sodium, saturated fat and added sugars. To make these recipes part of a complete meal, please refer to our serving suggestions included with the recipe.

Apricot-Strawberry Tart

Blueberry-Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake

Upside-Down Cinnamon-Pecan Coffee Cake

Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Cookies with Dates

Healthy One-Bowl Dessert Recipes

Whipping up a homemade healthy dessert recipe for a picnic or potluck has rarely been so easy. Whether you’re in the mood for a fudgy chocolate brownie, berry-studded pound cake, chewy oatmeal cookie or a fruit-filled tart, you’ll find all you need for simplifying dessert right here.

Pineapple Nice Cream

Virgin Banana Piña Colada Pops

2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Healthy Snacks to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

These treats are perfect for when you want something sweet and satisfying without any added sugar.

"Chocomole" Pudding

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Maple Sauce

Brown Sugar Peach Shortcakes

EatingWell Energy Bars

Sweet Dessert Recipes Without White Sugar

Delicious desserts are possible without using granulated sugar. Our healthy dessert recipes without white sugar are the perfect example! These alternates to white sugar shine in these healthy dessert recipes developed specifically with their unique flavor and texture in mind.

Mini New York Cheesecakes

Double Nut & Date Tassies

Pineapple Coconut Bites

Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches

The Most Adorable Tiny Desserts

Mini versions of your favorite dessert recipes make a perfectly portioned treat.

Star-Spangled Fruit Kebabs

Cutting naturally red and white fruits into star shapes to pair on skewers with blueberries makes a fun, patriotic fruit dessert you can feel good about eating and serving to your kids. This red, white and blue fruit "salad" will be a hit at summer barbecues, especially for the Fourth of July.

Mixed Berry Hand Pies

What better way to take advantage of summer's bounty of berries than to enclose a mixture of berries in flaky pastry and bake up these delicious turnovers--the perfect handheld dessert for picnics and backyard parties. A dusting of sugar on top of the hand pies creates a crispy crust and eliminates the need for frying.

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No-Bake Mason Jar Strawberry Cheesecakes

These no-bake portable cheesecakes are rich and creamy and swirled with fresh strawberries and honey for sweetness--perfect for a picnic or a backyard barbecue! We've used some Greek yogurt to lighten up this healthy dessert.

No-Bake Strawberry Dessert Lasagna

Turn fresh strawberries and blueberries into a refreshing layered dessert with graham crackers and a sweetened ricotta filling. Fresh strawberries are lightly cooked for the "sauce," and a smattering of fresh blueberries finishes the dish. No blueberries? Substitute any fruit to change up your flavor options.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

Sweet strawberries and tangy rhubarb nestle into a flaky, buttery crust for a pie so beautiful, you almost won't want to cut into it. A slab pie is the ultimate dessert for time-crunched cooks: it's baked right in a jelly roll pan and makes enough to serve a crowd.

Dark Chocolate Hummus

This dessert hummus is an unexpectedly delightful treat that still packs the protein and fiber punch of traditional hummus. Try dipping banana and apple slices, pretzels, strawberries or graham crackers in this sweet, chocolaty spread.

Double Chocolate Cupcakes

Our lightened-up version of a classic chocolate cupcake uses whole-wheat flour and less butter and sugar than the average cupcake. Topped with rich chocolate ganache frosting, these are a birthday party must-have.

Classic Cherry Crisp

Choose sweet or tart cherries for this fruit-forward dessert. Look for both in late summer, when cherries are at their peak.

Blueberry-Swirl Buttermilk Ice Cream

This gorgeous homemade ice cream is a showstopper, thanks to bold swirls of blueberry syrup that cut through tart buttermilk-yogurt cream.

Mango Tiramisù

This healthy take on a classic Italian dessert is far from traditional, thanks to ripe mangoes, agave syrup, and a creamy yogurt filling.

Grilled Prosciutto Peaches

We love these salty-sweet grilled peaches anytime the fruit is in season. Stuffed with goat cheese and honey, they work as a side, appetizer, or even dessert.

Key Lime Mason Jar Cheesecakes

These mini mason jar desserts are not only adorable; they also keep portion sizes in check! These beauties can be prepped in under 20 minutes.

Buckwheat Crepes with Strawberries, Rhubarb & White Chocolate

Buckwheat flour gives these whole-grain crepes a nutty flavor and makes this dessert naturally gluten-free. Stuffed with lightly spiced, cooked rhubarb and fresh strawberries, the crepes are a head-turner when they get a drizzle of white chocolate sauce.

Raspberry Clafouti

Clafouti [kla-FOO-tee] simply means a batter-and-fruit dessert, but who doesn't love a fancy French name? Here, we pair fresh raspberries with vanilla bean and almond extract for a simple yet elegant version.

Raspberry-Lemon Chiffon Icebox Cake

You can use a mix of berries as the topping for this classic summertime dessert-we like combining regular raspberries, golden raspberries, and blackberries. Look for golden raspberries at farmers' markets or farm stands at the height of summer.

Almond Cookie Tart with Peaches & Berries

Consider this easy gluten-free fruit tart recipe your year-round secret dessert weapon. It serves a crowd, making it perfect for entertaining. Here we top it with summer stone fruit and berries, but try sliced persimmons and pomegranate seeds in the fall or citrus suprêmes come winter.

Watermelon with Lime

A hit of lime zest and crunchy salt flakes on ripe watermelon is an addictive, salty-sweet way to enjoy a refreshing and hydrating snack. Pair it with a few pistachios for a protein boost.

Chocolate-Covered Banana Ice Cream Bars

Chocolate-covered vanilla ice cream pops get a vegan upgrade with this healthy copycat recipe. Vegan chocolate forms a shell around creamy peanut butter and banana nice cream garnished with your favorite toppings, like chopped peanuts or shredded coconut.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Sweet strawberries are nestled between layers of sponge cake and a cream filling in this easy cake. We add nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt to whipped cream to lighten up the filling and give it a little tang.

"Chewie" Cookies

Star Wars fans, this is the cookie for you. These fun and festive "Wookiee" cookies are perfect for a theme party or movie viewing. Almond slivers are arranged over melted chocolate to look like Chewbacca's belt.