Just because you're trying to eat a little healthier doesn't mean you have to skip out on the sweet stuff. These light desserts are creamy, fruity, chocolatey, whipped and spiced just right. Best of all, they won't wreck your diet. So, go ahead, have your cake (or pie, or cookie...) and eat it, too.
38 Light Desserts That’ll Hit the Spot
Updated on Sep. 17, 2024
Yogurt-Ricotta Cheesecake
I have always liked Italian ricotta cheesecakes, but they have too much sugar for me. I made a light version, and my family couldn’t even tell the difference! I serve mine with sugar-free strawberry ice cream topping and fresh strawberries. —Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
1/38
2/38
Applesauce Spice Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I began making these moist cupcakes in grade school and still bake them today. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
We also have one more recommendation for you. Try these Greek doughnuts which are fluffy, bite-sized, and fried to perfection!
3/38
Mocha Meringue Sandwich Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These crisp, chewy cookies can be made any size you choose. They're also great with a variety of fillings—try making them with fruit preserves. —Marie Valdes, Brandon, FL
4/38
Frozen Banana Cereal Pops
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
When we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
5/38
Peach Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks have been flipping over this peach upside-down cake for generations. This dessert is very popular with my family and guests. —Terri Kirschner, Carlisle, Indiana
6/38
Banana Chocolate Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This light-as-air chocolate cake has a yummy banana flavor. It’s scrumptious as is, but you can also dress it up with nuts or light frostings. —Tina Bellows, Racine, Wisconsin
7/38
Fluffy Key Lime Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a taste of paradise, try this no-bake Key lime pie recipe. It's low in fat, sugar and fuss. It truly is the best Key lime pie recipe ever! —Frances VanFossan, Warren, Michigan
8/38
Grilled Honey-Balsamic Glazed Fruit
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings (1/2 cup glaze)
From the Recipe Creator:
One summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I'm always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington
9/38
Pear Crumble
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
ORIGINALLY a pear crumble pie, I shortened this to a crumble when I often was too short of time to make a pie crust.
I've also found canned pears work as well as fresh, so that makes it even easier to prepare.
-Kezia Sullivan, Sackets Harbor, New York
10/38
Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
11/38
Lemon Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I'm always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This lemon pound cake is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
12/38
Cranberry Stuffed Apples
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts add a homey autumn flavor to these stuffed apples, while the slow cooker does most of the work. —Graciela Sandvigen, Rochester, New York
13/38
Sonoran Sunset Watermelon Ice
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you didn’t think watermelon and cilantro could go together in a dessert, this recipe will be a pleasant surprise! Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and a sprig of cilantro on top for extra flair. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
14/38
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A classic recipe like this never goes out of style! It’s delicious with the traditional pineapple, but try it with peaches or a combination of cranberries and orange. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
15/38
Sour Cream Bavarian
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings (1-1/4 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
Are you ‘sweet on’ someone who’s counting calories? Show them you care with this light and refreshing dessert. It’s sinfully creamy and so pretty with the tart raspberry sauce. No one would ever guess that it’s fat-free! —Judi Janczewski, Berwyn, Illinois
16/38
Apple Pie Oatmeal Dessert
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Warm and comforting oatmeal desserts bring back memories of times spent with my family around the kitchen table. I serve this dish with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream as a topper. —Carol Greer, Earlville, Illinois
17/38
Frozen Yogurt
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
It's so simple and easy to make your own frozen Greek yogurt, you might even want to get the kids in on the fun. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
18/38
Ginger Plum Tart
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet cravings, begone: This free-form plum tart is done in only 35 minutes. It's extra awesome when served warm. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
19/38
Healthy Apple Crisp
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy dish is a tradition in my family. It's as quick as a boxed cake mix but it's a healthier dessert choice. It's ideal in fall when it seems that everyone has a bag or two of fresh apples to give away! —Terri Wetzel, Roseburg, Oregon
20/38
Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
21/38
Apple-Spice Angel Food Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I dressed up an angel food cake mix with some nuts, spice and applesauce to make an easy and light dessert. I serve it with a dollop of whipped topping mixed with a half cup of sour cream. —Joan Buehnerkemper, Teutopolis, Illinois
22/38
Root Beer Float Pie
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don't even need to use an oven! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
23/38
Carrot Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cookies are both flavorful and colorful. The shredded carrots add nice bright flecks of orange color.
24/38
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine
25/38
Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Only four ingredients and one bowl are needed for these healthy peanut butter cookies. If you want to make this recipe gluten free, make sure the oat bran was made in a certified gluten-free facility. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
26/38
Mango Rice Pudding
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mangoes are my son's favorite fruit, so I was ecstatic to incorporate them into a healthy dessert. You can also use ripe bananas instead of mango, almond extract instead of vanilla or regular milk in place of soy. —Melissa McCabe, Victor, New York
27/38
Light Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family adores cheesecake, but I wanted to serve something healthier. I came up with this lighter version that I make for both holidays and everyday. —Diane Roth, Adams, Wisconsin
28/38
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue Roses
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Eat these pretty treats as is or crush them into a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea.—Amy Tong, Anaheim, California
29/38
Lemon Blueberry Cornmeal Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I lightened up this quick and easy dessert by making a few substitutions. Because the treat is so sweet, no one will know it's healthy, too.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California.
30/38
Black Bean Brownies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
31/38
Chocolate-Dipped Phyllo Sticks
Total Time
35 min
Servings
20 sticks
From the Recipe Creator:
Looking for a little something special to share with friends or family? Try these crunchy treats. They’re wonderful with coffee or a glass of milk. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
32/38
Berry White Ice Pops
Total Time
10 min
Servings
10 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing says summer like an ice pop. Kids and adults alike love this fruit-filled version. —Sharon Guinta, Stamford, Connecticut
33/38
Meringue Cookies
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These sweet little swirls are light as can be. They're all you need after a big, special dinner. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
34/38
Cinnamon Nut Bars
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Classic bar meets good-for-you ingredients in this updated recipe. If you have the patience, after the bars are cool, store them in a tin for a day to allow the flavors to meld...I think they taste even better the next day.— Heidi Lindsey, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
35/38
Strawberry-Rosemary Yogurt Pops
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
We planted strawberries a few years ago and these tangy-sweet frozen yogurt pops are my very favorite treats to make with them! The options are endless. Try using other yogurt flavors like lemon, raspberry or blueberry. —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah
36/38
Cranberry and Pear Crisp
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert is perfect for that first autumn day you can feel a nip in the air. It’s full of sweet, crunchy fall flavors. —Lori Choquette, Holyoke, Massachusetts
37/38
Mixed Berry Sundaes for 2
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These delightful yogurt sundaes are an easy way to add fruit and calcium to your diet. Berries star in the dish, which I enjoy as a simple breakfast or healthy dessert for two. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
38/38
Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the rack, these grilled nectarines practically melt in your mouth. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
