Treat yourself: you deserve it.
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If you ask Ree Drummond, balance is key when eating healthy. When she set out on her weight loss journey a few years ago, she was determined to not limit herself to a list of banned foods—and that included dessert. "A small piece o' cake is the secret to happiness," Ree says. Instead, paying attention to portion sizes, eating in moderation, and having a few of these healthy dessert recipes handy is the key to staying on track. From lightened-up ice creams and fruit-forward desserts to healthy cookie recipes, you’ll find everything you need to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Here, you’ll find delicious healthy desserts that are made with nutritious ingredients, such as oats and alternative types of flour, fresh fruit, and natural sweeteners. There are even some dairy-free and gluten-free options ahead, too. Looking for something quick you can whip up when that sugar craving strikes? Try the ten-minute mug cake that's perfectly portioned or one of the no-bake desserts that are easy to make. After all, we could never say no to our favorite foods—including chocolate desserts! Luckily, there are plenty of options ahead.
Looking for more ways to eat healthier? Try adding more salads, green juices and smoothies, and healthy dinner recipes to your weekday repertoire. And then don't be afraid to treat yourself every once in a while. Remember, it's all about balance.
1
Grilled Watermelon
Make an already sweet treat even more flavorful by adding some smokey grill marks and adding a squeeze of lime. You could add a little vanilla ice cream if you so choose.
Get the Grilled Watermelon recipe.
2
Peach Galette
Less fussy than a pie with a healthier fruit-to-crust ratio, this peach galette is big on fruit flavor and even bigger in size to feed a crowd.
Get the Peach Galette recipe.
3
Fruit Tart
While you should pay attention to portions because of the crust and filling, don't be shy about piling on the fresh fruit. Another suggestion? Substitute the cream cheese with its lower fat cousin Neufchâtel.
Get the Fruit Tart recipe.
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4
Spiced Apple Mug Cake
Don't make a whole cake if you just want a quick fix. Try a perfectly portioned mug cake instead. You get a full serving of apples, which provides vitamins and a lot of natural sweetness.
Get the Spiced Apple Mug Cake recipe.
5
Rainbow Fruit Breakfast Skewers
While they have "breakfast" in the name, you can have these flavorful skewers any time of day. Fresh fruit gets a sweet surprise at the end with store-bought doughnut holes.
Get the Rainbow Fruit Breakfast Skewers recipe.
6
Homemade Marshmallows
While high in sugar, marshmallows are very low in fat. So enjoy them in moderation, but you'll feel like a kid again snacking on one or two. Plus, homemade ones are so much better.
Get the Homemade Marshmallows recipe.
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7
Sunrise Fruit Salad
Isn't this so gorgeous to look at? It's even better to eat with layers of watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, mango, and pineapple with a sprinkle of coconut on top.
Get Ree's Sunrise Fruit Salad recipe.
8
Chocolate Doughnuts with Strawberry Glaze
Healthier doughnuts? It's possible. These are gluten free, vegan friendly, and baked instead of fried. They've even got a hidden mashed banana in the batter for moisture.
Get the Chocolate Doughnuts with Strawberry Glaze recipe.
9
Grilled Peaches
All you need is a drizzle of maple syrup and a few crunchy pecans to jazz up some fruit. Oh, and little caramelization from the grill can't hurt, either. Can't find peaches? Try pineapple.
Get the Grilled Peaches recipe.
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10
Angel Food Cake
If you're looking to reduce fat in your diet, a classic angel food cake is the way to go. Plus, it goes so well with any kind of fruit for a topping, so you get extra vitamins, too.
Get the Angel Food Cake recipe.
11
Apple-Raspberry Crisp with Pistachios
Apples and raspberries are full of vitamins, oats are great for heart health, and pistachios pack a protein punch. Add them together for a colorful and flavorful dessert. Simply cut back on the serving size or skip the ice cream if you're worried about the sugar.
Get Ree's Apple-Raspberry Crisp with Pistachios recipe.
12
Olive Oil Cake
Olive oil is full of antioxidants and considered one of the healthiest oils you can choose. It also happens to make a moist and tender cake, so that's a win-win. This recipe is also lower in sugar and processed white flour than most cakes.
Get the Olive Oil Cake recipe.
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13
Hasselback Apples
If you're looking for easy portion control, try roasting apples. You slice them just like Hasselback potatoes, so the flavor gets inside every nook and cranny. Then you don't have to guess the serving size. Just grab a half.
Get the Hasselback Apples recipe.
14
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Old-fashioned oats are a nutrition powerhouse. They pack in a ton of vitamin and minerals, plus they're a good source of fiber. While these cookies still have sugar and chocolate, remember that they make three dozen so just enjoy in moderation.
Get the No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
15
Strawberry Sorbet
Unlike ice cream, sorbet has less fat and calories due to the lack of cream. It's much lighter and loaded with fruit, but remember that it still contains sugar.
Get the Strawberry Sorbet recipe.
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16
Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup
You can't go wrong with fruit for dessert. That's especially true when it's sweetened with this flavorful citrusy, vanilla bean syrup.
Get Ree's Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup recipe.
17
Walnut Brownie Baked Oatmeal
This healthy breakfast recipe can certainly double as a delicious dessert. It's fudgy, chocolaty, and topped with whipped cream.
Get the Walnut Brownie Baked Oatmeal recipe.
18
Baked Apples
This is the easiest way to eat an apple a day! You'll get all the flavor of apple pie without the butter-rich crust.
Get the Baked Apples recipe.
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19
Red-and-Green Fruit Salad with Mint Syrup
There are so many fun elements to this colorful fruit salad! The juicy melon and strawberries, the pop of crunch from the pomegranates, and the sweet-mint flavor from the syrup.
Get Ree's Red-and-Green Fruit Salad with Mint Syrup recipe.
20
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Want to surprise your loved one with a sweet (and healthy) treat? These chocolate-covered strawberries are so simple, and yet, so delectable. Stick to dark chocolate to keep it even healthier.
Get the Chocolate-Covered Strawberries recipe.
