7 Healthy Dessert Recipes To Curb Your Sweet Tooth

 

In case I somehow haven’t made it clear already, I have a huge sweet tooth.

As a kid, since we didn’t have a lot of sweets around in the house, I would sneak bowls full of sprinkles and shredded coconut when my parents weren’t looking because that was the best sugar option I could find (that was until I discovered that my dad had a secret treat stash of his own).

As I got older, my love of sugar and all things sweet didn’t go away, and would lead to me binge eating bags of jelly beans/peanut butter M&Ms/frozen yogurt/chocolate chip cookies whenever I was bored, lonely, or depressed (which was more often than I’d like to admit).

Unsurprisingly, I realized somewhere along the line that this sugar addiction of mine wasn’t good for my overall health, physique, or confidence. But rather than try to give up sweets altogether (because really, what fun is that?), I’ve actually really enjoyed learning to make healthier versions of my favorite desserts that don’t leave me in a sugar coma or make my waistline expand.

Here are 7 of my favorite healthy dessert recipes to help curb your sweet tooth:

Healthy Pumpkin Pie Cup Recipe

 

There have been pumpkins at the grocery store for a couple of weeks already now, so apparently it’s pumpkin season. What better way to start eating pumpkin again than with these mini pumpkin pie cups? Get the full Healthy Pumpkin Pie Cups Recipe here.

Ingredients for the base

1/4 cup of oats
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup almond flour
1-2 Tbsp honey (more if you like it sweeter)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp sea salt

Ingredients for the filling

1 cup organic pumpkin (about 1/2 a can)
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk (or milk of your choice)
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 egg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4-1/2 tsp toffee flavored stevia drops
1/8 tsp salt

Macros (per 1/10 recipe)

Total calories: 98
Protein: 6.2g
Fat: 4.2g
Carbs: 8.5g
Fiber: 2g

Chocolate Drizzled Protein Peanut Butter Cheesecake Recipe

 

This chocolate peanut butter cheesecake tastes so decadent you won’t ever want to go back to regular, sugary, fatty cheesecake. See the full cheesecake recipe here.

Ingredients for the crust

1/2 cup almond meal or ground almonds
2 Tbsp peanut butter (I like crunchy)
1 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk

Ingredients for the filling

1 cup low fat greek yogurt
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup vanilla whey protein powder
2 Tbsp coconut flour
1 egg white + 1 whole egg

Macros per 1/6 recipe

Calories: 326
Protein: 23.5g
Carbs: 12g
Fat: 21.5g
Fiber: 4.5g

Energizing Quinoa Protein Bites

These quinoa bites may be healthy, but they taste like dessert. Really. Check out the recipe here.

Ingredients

1/3 cup cinnamon whey protein (vanilla will work too)
2/3 cups quick cooking oats
2/3 cups cooked quinoa
1/8 tsp sea salt
2-3 Tbsp honey or agave syrup
1.5 Tbsp melted coconut oil
1.5 Tbsp almond milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 cup ground flax seed
1/8 cup chopped dried cherries, chopped (optional but delicious )
1/8 cup unsweetened dried coconut, chopped (optional but delicious)
About 1/3 of a dark chocolate bar (I used 88%)

Macros (per 1/8 recipe)

Calories: 157
Protein: 6g
Carbs: 17g
Fat: 7.5g
Fiber: 3.5g

Magical Vanilla Pistachio Protein Truffles

If you like pistachios, chocolate, and vanilla, you’re in for a treat with these protein-packed truffles. Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients

2/3 cup oat flour (just blend some oats to make your own)
1/2 cup vanilla whey protein powder
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 Tbsp coconut flour
2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
About 1/4 bar dark chocolate (I used 85%)
5 pistachios (or 1/2 Tbsp), finely chopped

Macros per 1/6 recipe

Calories: 120
Protein: 6.4g
Carbs: 14.9g
Fat: 4g
Fiber: 1.8g

Strawberry-Topped Protein Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust

 

More cheesecake! Because who doesn’t love cheesecake? Check out this classic-yet-healthy graham cracker cheesecake here.

Ingredients for the crust

4 graham cracker sheets, crumbled
2 TB unsweetened low-fat Greek yogurt
2 TB honey or maple syrup

Ingredients for the filling

1 cup low fat greek yogurt
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder
1 egg white + 1 whole egg
2 Tbsp coconut flour

Macros per 1/6 recipe

Total calories: 148
Protein: 11.8g
Carbohydrates: 16.2g
Fat: 3.9g
Fiber: 1.1g

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Protein Muffin Recipe

 

More pumpkin! These pumpkin muffins may technically be healthy for you, but they taste like dessert, I promise. See the full pumpkin muffin recipe here.

Ingredients

1 cup oats
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup vanilla whey protein powder
1 egg
1/3 cup honey (or other sweetener of your choice)
1/4 cup almond milk (or other milk of your choice)
1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips (optional but definitely delicious!)
2 Tbsp cottage cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Macros per 1/8 recipe

Calories: 147
Protein: 6.5g
Carbohydrates: 24.5g
Fat: 3.3g
Fiber: 2g

Super Simple Vegan Banana Power Cookies

 

Made from pea protein, bananas, oats, and other healthy ingredients, these super healthy, 100% delicious cookies are vegan and really, really good. They’re best warmed up and dunked in your favorite milk or milk substitute. Here’s the full recipe.

Ingredients

1 medium ripe banana
1 scoop vegan pea protein powder (or vegan mix)
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 Tbsp unsweetened dried cherries (or other fruit), chopped
1 Tbsp chocolate chips
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Macros per

Calories: 109
Protein: 4.7g
Carbs: 16g
Fat: 2.9g
Fiber: 2.4g