Skip to content
Home / Healthy Holiday Dessert Recipe Roundup

Healthy Holiday Dessert Recipe Roundup

Cranberries and rosemary on cutting board

Holiday parties are filled with family, friends and usually a range of desserts from cakes and cookies to ice cream and candy.

This holiday season, try a healthy dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt. For example, the no-bake dark chocolate mint snowball treats are easy to prepare with the soothing taste of mint that will have you in the holiday spirit with just one bite.

Almonds are filled with protein that will help keep you full for longer, so this recipe helps with portion control and holds you over more than an empty-calorie dessert would. Plus, the cinnamon, vanilla and brown sugar give this dessert the holiday flavor without the extra calories found in heavier desserts such as cake and pies.

Have fun making the jello cups with your kids. This is a delicious dessert without being a processed baked good. You can even try adding fruit to the top for a little extra added flavor and sweetness.

Photo Credit: A Healthier Michigan

Cinnamon Roasted Almonds Recipe

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Use cooking spray to coat a baking sheet.
  2. Beat the egg white, add water and beat thoroughly so frothy, but not stiff.
  3. Add the vanilla and almond extract to eggs.
  4. Add nuts until well coated.
  5. Mix sugar, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Pour into mixture and coat almonds thoroughly.
  6. Place almonds on baking sheet in one single layer.
  7. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until golden.
  8. Allow to cool thoroughly and then store in airtight container. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 3 cups whole almonds
  • ¼ cup of white sugar
  • ¼ cup of brown sugar
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. of cinnamon

Nutrition Info per Serving :
Nutrition Facts
12 Servings Total
1 serving = 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190.7
Total Fat 14.0 g
Saturated Fat 1.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 9.0 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 102.8 mg
Potassium 212.9 mg
Total Carbohydrate 14.6 g
Dietary Fiber 3.2 g
Sugars 9.3 g
Protein 6.3 g
Vitamin A 0.0 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 0.1 %
Vitamin C 0.2 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 35.0 %
Calcium 8.8 %
Copper 15.5 %
Folate 0.0 %
Iron 7.1 %
Magnesium 20.3 %
Manganese 33.8 %
Niacin 0.0 %
Pantothenic Acid 0.0 %
Phosphorus 15.1 %
Riboflavin 15.1 %
Selenium 0.1 %
Thiamin 0.0 %
Zinc 0.1 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Layered Candy Cane Jell-O Cups Recipe

Instructions

  1. For colored layer: Combine 1 package flavored Jell-o with half a package unflavored gelatin in a small heat proof bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved. Let stand until cooled to room temperature, then divide among the 6 cups. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.
  2. For white layer: Mix 1 can of sweetened condensed milk with 1 cup boiling water in a small heat proof bowl. In another small heat-proof bowl, add ½ cup cold water. Sprinkle two packages unflavored gelatin over cold water and let stand for a few minutes. Now add ½ cup boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add that gelatin mixture to the milk mixture and stir to combine. Cool to room temperature and divide half of the milk mixture among the cups. (Save the other half for the second white layer). Refrigerate cups until set, about 15 minutes.
  3. Repeat colored layer instructions (Step #1), layering with the remaining half of the white (milk) layer. Repeat until there are three layers of the colored layer and two layers of the white layer. Refrigerate until set. Top with cool whip and serve. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 3 (3 oz.) packages flavored red color Jell-O (you can use sugar-free)
  • 4 (1 oz.) packages unflavored gelatin, divided
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 4½ cups boiling water, divided
  • 1 container lite cool whip topping or light whipped cream, for serving
  • 6 (9 oz.) clear cups

Nutrition Info per Cup of Candy Cane Jello:
Nutrition Facts
6 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 207.5
Total Fat 3.0 g
Saturated Fat 2.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 10.0 mg
Sodium 155.6 mg
Potassium 1.2 mg
Total Carbohydrate 39.6 g
Dietary Fiber 0.0 g
Sugars 39.6 g
Protein 4.9 g
Vitamin A 2.0 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 0.0 %
Vitamin C 0.0 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 0.0 %
Calcium 10.4 %
Copper 1.5 %
Folate 0.3 %
Iron 0.1 %
Magnesium 0.3 %
Manganese 0.1 %
Niacin 0.0 %
Pantothenic Acid 0.0 %
Phosphorus 2.6 %
Riboflavin 0.4 %
Selenium 1.8 %
Thiamin 0.0 %
Zinc 0.1 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Cranberry Pistachio Holiday Ornament Bites

Instructions

  1. Bake oatmeal, pistachios and coconut for 8-10 minutes at 350° on a baking sheet, stirring after 5 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool.
  2. In a medium bowl microwave the nut butter for 20-30 seconds until runny, add the baked mix along with flaxseed, honey, chia seeds and cranberries to the bowl. Form into 1″ balls and refrigerate. Store in an airtight container refrigerated for up to one week or freezer for 3 months. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • ⅓ cup pistachios, chopped
  • ⅓ c. sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 tbsp. ground flaxseed (optional)
  • ½ cup nut butter (peanut or almond are both good)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped

Nutrition Info per Ball:
Nutrition Facts
Makes about 16 Servings
Amount Per Serving/Ball
Calories 94.2
Total Fat 5.3 g
Saturated Fat 1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.7 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 25.8 mg
Potassium 33.2 mg
Total Carbohydrate 10.4 g
Dietary Fiber 1.7 g
Sugars 4.7 g
Protein 2.7 g
Vitamin A 0.3 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 2.3 %
Vitamin C 0.2 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 2.5 %
Calcium 1.1 %
Copper 1.9 %
Folate 0.3 %
Iron 3.1 %
Magnesium 1.5 %
Manganese 2.0 %
Niacin 4.1 %
Pantothenic Acid 0.2 %
Phosphorus 1.3 %
Riboflavin 0.7 %
Selenium 0.3 %
Thiamin 1.5 %
Zinc 0.4 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

No Bake Dark Chocolate Mint Snowball Treats

Instructions

  1. Slightly soften dark chocolate chips by placing in microwave-safe bowl for about 15 seconds.
  2. Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse 5-7 times before letting the processor run.
  3. Process until one large energy ball forms and rolls around the blade.
  4. Remove ball from processor and roll into 12-14 small, bite-size energy balls.
  5. Pop in freezer or fridge for 15 minutes to set.
  6. Enjoy and store leftovers in refrigerator or freezer.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup packed medjool dates, pitted
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • 2 tbsp. chia seeds
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp. pure peppermint extract

Nutrition Info per Ball:

Nutrition Facts
12-14 Servings/Balls
Amount Per Serving/Ball
Calories 71.6
Total Fat 2.8 g
Saturated Fat 1.4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 2.3 mg
Potassium 46.2 mg
Total Carbohydrate 11.8 g
Dietary Fiber 2.0 g
Sugars 7.8 g
Protein 1.0 g
Vitamin A 0.0 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 0.0 %
Vitamin C 0.0 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 0.0 %
Calcium 1.5 %
Copper 0.0 %
Folate 0.0 %
Iron 2.0 %
Magnesium 1.5 %
Manganese 0.0 %
Niacin 0.0 %
Pantothenic Acid 0.0 %
Phosphorus 0.0 %
Riboflavin 0.0 %
Selenium 0.0 %
Thiamin 0.0 %
Zinc 0.0 %