Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

17 Low-Sugar Dessert Recipes to Get You Through the Holiday Season

Posted by Allison Day on November 15, 2018

Reducing your sugar consumption overall is beneficial for your health on so many levels. But around the holidays, cookies, candies and cakes seem to be around every corner, and avoiding them completely is often unrealistic. For those who are looking to satisfy their sweet tooth while continuing a low-sugar lifestyle, these festive treats save the season.

  • Blueberry Skyr Cheesecake
     
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    Blueberry Skyr Cheesecake

    <p>This maple syrup-sweetened, no-bake cheesecake is free of refined sugar and is low in fat. Skyr is a high-protein, Icelandic style of yogurt, which replaces the need for cream cheese in the filling. A vibrant blueberry sauce and press-in date-nut crust make this healthy treat a real showstopper.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href=" https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/blueberry-skyr-cheesecake/21774/" target="_blank"><strong>Anna Olson’s Blueberry Skyr Cheesecake</strong></a></p>
  • Best-Ever Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
     
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    Best-Ever Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

    <p>Classic holiday gingerbread is given a wholesome, low-sugar twist without sacrificing flavour (if anything, this recipe adds more taste!). Its secret ingredient? Almond butter.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/blog/vegan-gingerbread-cookies/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Best-Ever Vegan Gingerbread Cookies</a></strong></p>
  • Chocolate Avocado Mousse
     
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    Chocolate Avocado Mousse

    <p>Serve this date-sweetened mousse in small cups topped with berries for a chic dessert, layer with fruit and coconut whip for a healthier holiday trifle or fill vegan shortbread cookies for a cheeky tree-trimming treat. When chocolate mousse is involved, you can’t go wrong.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/chocolate-avocado-mousse/21773/" target="_blank"><strong>Anna Olson’s Chocolate Avocado Mousse</strong></a></p>
  • Healthy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
     
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    Healthy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

    <p>Introducing the flourless and refined sugar-free chocolate chip cookie that will satisfy every decadent dessert craving. Made with tahini, extra-dark chocolate and coarse sea salt on top – you'll be skipping the bûche de noel before you can say "Happy Holidays".</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/this-healthy-cookie-recipe-will-change-your-life/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Healthy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies</a></strong></p>
  • Gluten-Free, Vegan Cranberry-Almond Tartlets
     
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    Gluten-Free, Vegan Cranberry-Almond Tartlets

    <p>A creamy toasted almond filling is an elegant and unexpected flavour that matches beautifully with festive cranberries for a gluten-free and vegan plated dessert that pulls out all the stops – it is the holidays, after all!</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/gluten-free-vegan-cranberry-almond-tartlets/19409/" target="_blank"><strong>Gluten-Free, Vegan Cranberry-Almond Tartlets</strong></a></p>
  • Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bark
     
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    Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bark

    <p>Sometimes the most unexpected pairings are the best match. In the case of this nutrient-rich low-sugar treat, it's navy beans and raw cacao – made even better with natural peanut butter and banana. Bonus: it's packed with protein.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/frozen-chocolate-peanut-butter-banana-bark/21917/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bark</a></strong></p>
  • Healthy Peanut Butter and Jam Squares
     
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    Healthy Peanut Butter and Jam Squares

    <p>Save your oven for the turkey, and make these no bake, gluten-free and vegan PB&J squares. Naturally sweetened, they’re a treat you’ll want to keep on hand beyond the holiday season.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/healthy-peanut-butter-and-jam-squares/15290" target="_blank"><strong>Healthy Peanut Butter and Jam Squares</strong></a></p>
  • Hot Chocolate Banana-Nut Oatmeal
     
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    Hot Chocolate Banana-Nut Oatmeal

    <p>Warm yourself up with hot chocolate in oatmeal form. Featuring bananas, unsweetened cocoa powder, walnuts and more, this dish is healthy enough for breakfast, and tasty enough for a sweet post-meal treat.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/hot-chocolate-banana-nut-oatmeal/21042/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hot Chocolate Banana-Nut Oatmeal</a></strong></p>
  • No-Bake Chocolate Crunch Brownies
     
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    No-Bake Chocolate Crunch Brownies

    <p>Dates, peanut butter, crispy rice cereal, coconut oil and chocolate are the healthy ingredients in this contemporary no-bake brownie you’d swear was a cherished family holiday recipe.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/blog/no-bake-chocolate-brownies/" target="_blank"><strong>No-Bake Chocolate Crunch Brownies</strong></a></p>
  • Healthy No-Bake Almond Fruit Tarts
     
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    Healthy No-Bake Almond Fruit Tarts

    <p>This good-for-you, naturally sweetened almond fruit tart is comprised of only the purest ingredients (read: almond flour, 85% cocoa, pitted dates and Greek yogurt. It's also a cinch to make!</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/healthy-no-bake-almond-fruit-tarts" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Healthy No-Bake Almond Fruit Tarts</a></strong></p>
  • Walnut Breakfast Cookies
     
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    Walnut Breakfast Cookies

    <p>Just because these have “breakfast” in the title doesn’t mean you can’t add them to a healthy holiday cookie plate. A variety of textures and warming cinnamon create a festive drop cookie with a nourishing twist.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/walnut-breakfast-cookies-from-the-hot-plate-3265/" target="_blank"><strong>Walnut Breakfast Cookies</strong></a></p>
  • Classic Crepes
     
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    Classic Crepes

    <p>Classic French crepes can be a brilliant make-ahead, low-sugar plated holiday dessert. What’s more, they’re a blank canvas for healthy toppings like coconut whip, orange zest-infused yogurt, almond butter, fresh berries, chia jam and toasted coconut.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/crepes/15924/" target="_blank"><strong>Alton Brown’s Crepes</strong></a></p>
  • Healthy Blueberry Ricotta Tartlets
     
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    Healthy Blueberry Ricotta Tartlets

    <p>Phyllo pastry holds a lemony ricotta filling sweetened with just a touch of apricot jam for a mini cheesecake-style dessert that’s low in sugar. Blueberries make the presentation pop, while adding a dimension of freshness.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/healthy-blueberry-ricotta-tartlets/20454/" target="_blank"><strong>Healthy Blueberry Ricotta Tartlets</strong></a></p>
  • Comforting Apple Pie Oatmeal Bake
     
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    Comforting Apple Pie Oatmeal Bake

    <p>A take on apple pie that justifies eating multiple helpings? We're in! Think of this oatmeal bake as a nutrient-dense apple crumble with way less sugar. Tip: top with a dollop of unsweetened coconut yogurt instead of ice cream.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/blog/healthy-apple-pie-oatmeal-bake/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Comforting Apple Pie Oatmeal Bake</a></strong></p>
  • Flourless Shortbread with Apple Preserves
     
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    Flourless Shortbread with Apple Preserves

    <p>This shortbread is gluten-free, made with almond flour and brown rice flour, and bound by cheddar cheese and a touch of butter. Only a small amount of honey, along with dates, are used to sweeten them up. Skip the apple preserves to reduce the sugar further, and serve with thinly sliced fresh apples or homemade applesauce instead.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href=" https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/flourless-shortbread-with-apple-pie-preserves/12697/" target="_blank"><strong>Anna Olson’s Flourless Shortbread with Apple Preserves</strong></a></p>
  • Chocolate Almond Energy Gems
     
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    Chocolate Almond Energy Gems

    <p>A festive sweets spread wouldn’t be complete without chocolate truffles, but that doesn’t mean a mountain of heavy cream and sugar. These bites deliver chocolate truffle-like flavour without the sugar crash. They’re dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free and highly adaptable.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/chocolate-almond-energy-gems/21772/" target="_blank"><strong>Anna Olson’s Chocolate Almond Energy Gems</strong></a></p>
  • Paleo Granola
     
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    Paleo Granola

    <p>Yes: you could argue that granola is not a dessert. But trust us when we say you'll want to sprinkle this version on everything – from sugar-free yogurt to <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/dairy-free-banana-ice-cream/15820/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">banana "ice cream"</a>. You can even add it to the batter of your favourite healthy baked good. But it's just as delicious on its own!</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/blog/5-eggless-paleo-breakfasts-including-this-epic-grain-free-granola/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Paleo Granola</strong></a></p>
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