Every year Christmas comes around, my goal is to make desserts just a little bit healthier than last year. It’s an accomplishment when no one notices I use a little less sugar or I switch out canned fruit for fresh. So, I wanted to help you do the same by putting together a list of Christmas desserts no one will tell are healthier.
Below you’ll find 7 recipes for Christmas desserts. I also added three healthier Christmas drink recipes at the end as a little thank you for reading!
York Peppermint Patty
If you like peppermint patties, you should check out this York Peppermint Patty by Clean Food Crush. Rachel has taken each ingredient in the original recipe and substituted it with a healthier version. For a great mix of chocolate and peppermint, this one is a good choice!
Gingerbread Cookies
Always make Gingerbread cookies for Christmas? Here is a recipe for Healthy Gingerbread Cookies by Cookie and Kate. Kate uses real molasses in this recipe, so don’t miss out on trying this recipe!
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
A popular Christmas dessert, here is a healthier version of Jam Thumbprint Cookies by Healthy Seasonal Recipes. If you enjoy making cookies with the kids in your family, this would be a great recipe to make with them. You could even use different cookie cutter shapes to make it even more fun!
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Another tasty mix of chocolate and peppermint, this Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark by Life is but a Dish is a favorite among my family. If you need an easy, quick treat to make, this one is for you. Plus, the dark chocolate (with at least 70% cacao) has many great health benefits to it!
Fruit Cake
Fruit cake is a tricky dessert to make healthier without no one noticing. Here is a No-Added-Sugar Fruit Cake. If you don’t want to go all the way with removing sugar, you can either reduce the amount of sugar or substitute some of the sugar with honey or maple syrup.
If you have family members who are sensitive to gluten, here is a Healthy Christmas Cake by Whole Food Simply.
Fresh Cranberry Orange Pecan Shortbread Cookies
If shortbread cookies are among the Christmas cookies you make, check out these Fresh Cranberry Orange Pecan Shortbread Cookies on My Cookie Journey. These cookies are full of fresh fruit and pecans, which make them a great option when nut allergies aren’t a concern. Of course, you can always make them without pecans if it is a concern.
For the gluten-sensitive family members or friends, here is a recipe for Gluten-Free Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies by Kate’s Healthy Cupboard.
Pumpkin Pie
A Thanksgiving and Christmas favorite, here is a recipe for Pumpkin Pie by My Natural Family. This recipe would be considered a clean eating recipe, meaning the ingredients are unprocessed and unrefined. Using fresher ingredients does make a tastier pumpkin pie!
Bonus: Healthy Christmas Drink Recipes
Hot Cocoa
I loooove hot cocoa! However, the amount of sugar in a packet of hot cocoa bothers me greatly. So, here is a recipe for All-Natural Hot Cocoa by A Couple Cooks that uses unprocessed sugar instead.
Eggnog
I’m not one for eggnog, but I’ve found a highly rated Eggnog Recipe by The Gracious Pantry. This recipe uses fresh, unprocessed ingredients to make a healthier eggnog you can share with your friends and family.
Apple Cider
Last but not least, here is a recipe for Hot Spiced Apple Cider by That Certain Touch. This recipe makes apple cider from scratch. if you’re short on time, you can use pre-made apple cider from the store. I recommend making sure your apple cider is 100% apple cider with no added sugar. You can add your own amount of sugar later.
Christmas Desserts No One Can Tell are Healthier
Making Christmas Desserts healthier without compromising taste is quite the challenge! You can make your desserts healthier by reducing the amount of sugar you use in a recipe or substituting an ingredient for a fresher, less processed one. If this is something you want to do this year, then the recipes in this article will get you on the right track.
Be sure to share these Christmas Desserts no one can tell are healthier with your friends and family! Together, we can make the holidays just a little healthier!
Before you go, if the holidays get in the way of you reaching your health goals, you may want to consider working with me. Together, we can make plans for before the Great Christmas Dessert Temptation that won’t leave you feeling guilty or ashamed of what you eat. The best thing for your health (and emotional sanity) is to have a plan before you show up to any Christmas get together!
Learn more about how you can get accountability during the holidays here.