Treats don't have to be sinful to be scrumptious! These healthy dessert recipes are decadent and delicious but easy on the waistline.
23 Desserts You’d Never Guess Are Lightened Up
Updated on Feb. 05, 2024
Dirt Dessert
My mom used to serve this yummy dessert, and I just loved it. It’s so fun to eat and a snap to make. Add some gummy worms on top for the kids if you’d like. —Kristi Linton, Bay City, Michigan
1/23
2/23
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe from a co-worker who made these heavenly bars for a potluck. Since they combine two favorite flavors—chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake—in one bite, they were a hit with our three grown children. —Jane Nolt, Narvon, Pennsylvania
3/23
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
4/23
Ribbon Pudding Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cool, smooth and creamy, this pretty pie is a slice of heaven for people with diabetes and anyone who likes an easy yet impressive dessert. The lovely pudding layers feature a yummy combination of vanilla, chocolate and butterscotch. —Doris Morgan, Verona, Mississippi
5/23
Lemon Meringue Angel Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been told that this dessert tastes exactly like a lemon meringue pie and that it's the best angel food cake anyone could ask for. I'm not sure about all of that, but it is delightful to serve, and each slice is virtually fat free. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
6/23
Chocolate-Topped Strawberry Cheesecake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy and airy, this gorgeous dessert is the perfect special something for a summer dinner party. I love the mix of smooth strawberry cheesecake and crumbly chocolate crust—and how elegant it looks on the table. —Kathy Berger, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
7/23
Poached Pears with Orange Cream
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
End the meal with a flourish with this easy and elegant dessert. A hint of orange lends just enough sweetness to temper the wine's bold taste. —Julianne Schnuck, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
8/23
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
9/23
Blackberry Frozen Yogurt
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You could also use boysenberries, raspberries or strawberries for this delicious dessert. — Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
10/23
Coconut Cream Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Have the urge to splurge? Try Deborah Protzman's moist and mouthwatering cake. "No one who's ever eaten a piece can believe it's lower in fat"—Deborah Protzman, Bloomington, Illinois.
11/23
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
12/23
Eggnog Mousse
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests will always find room for this light, fluffy, mouthwatering mousse. It makes an elegant, refreshing finish for heavier meals—and it’s also a great way to use up any extra eggnog in the fridge. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
13/23
Chocolate Almond Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fluffy white homemade frosting tops this rich chocolate almond cake. Sliced toasted almonds on top add a little crunch. —Sherri Gentry, Dallas, Oregon
14/23
Makeover Frosty Lemon Squares
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert has a lemony filling sandwiched between two creamy layers and a crunchy crust. What's not to love? Simple changes in the original recipe subtracted a lot of the calories and saturated fat, but left a ton of great lemon flavor and a rich cream cheese layer. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
15/23
Double-Nut Stuffed Figs
Total Time
50 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
We have a family member that has diabetes, so dessert can get tricky. These sweet, nutritious stuffed figs keep us all happy. —Bob Bailey, Columbus, Ohio
16/23
Plum Good Crisp
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a great crisp that goes well with any meal, but you can also serve it as a breakfast treat or snack.When it's warm, it can't be beat! —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
17/23
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I baked these moist, fudgy cookies for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they're lower in fat and easy to mix and bake. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
18/23
Easy Apple Strudel
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too fattening and time-consuming, so I changed it up a bit. This revised classic is just as good as the original. It's best served warm from the oven. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana
19/23
Warm Chocolate Melting Cups
Total Time
40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These little cakes have become a favorite of our guests. They are always surprised that such a chocolaty dessert is so light—less than 200 calories apiece! —Kissa Vaughn, Troy, Texas
20/23
Breezy Lemon-Berry Dessert
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the combination of berries and lemon, and wanted to come up with a light, refreshing and tasty dessert that used them both. —Anna Ginsberg, Austin, Texas.
21/23
Makeover Irish Cream Cheesecake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you have a 4-in springform pan, this will be your new favorite dessert. The taste of Baileys Irish Cream comes through in every bite of this scaled down cheesecake. It's perfect for splitting with someone special. —Judy Ferril, Shorewood, Minnesota
22/23
Contest-Winning Chocolate Angel Food Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I take this different kind of angel food cake to church bake sales, it goes before I can get it on the table!—Mary Ann Iverson, Woodville, Wisconsin
23/23
Cranberry Fudge
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1-1/3 pounds (81 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy, crunchy fudge is packed with walnuts and cranberries to satisfy all who try it. Though it may seem decadent, each little bite is filled with tons of fabulous, guilt-free flavor. —Delia Kennedy, Deer Park, Washington
