Want to see the number on the scale drop, but simply can’t give up sweets? We feel your pain — but there’s no need to despair. While you might have to cut back on supersized cupcakes or double-scoop cones to see real results, there are still plenty of other treats you can enjoy sans guilt. The key: Paying attention to what’s in them. Luckily, there are tons of easy hacks to help you slash calories — like substituting some of the sugar for applesauce, instead.
These healthy dessert recipes all feature delicious ingredients that pack some nutritional value, too. Even when the servings are bite-sized, the flavors are rich enough to quash your cravings for more. What follows is mouthwatering proof that you can keep your weight in check without going crazy from deprivation.
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17 Healthy Dessert Recipes (150 Calories or Less!)
1. Skinny Chocolate Brownies (139 calories)
These chocolate brownies turn to Greek yogurt and unsweetened applesauce for gooey texture without sacrificing flavor. They look and taste just as decadent as their higher-calorie counterparts, so whip some up for your next party. Your guests will never know the difference. Photo and recipe: Jen Nikolaus / Yummy Healthy Easy
2. Mini Plum Cakes (113 calories)
Big-in-flavor treats are sometimes best enjoyed in small portions. These lemony plum cakes mix seasonal fruit and avocado for tons of taste, fiber and filling healthy fat — in a tiny package. Sub in any other stone fruit if you’re not a fan of plums. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by DailyBurn
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3. Greek Yogurt Popsicles (94 calories)
“Refreshing” might as well be this dessert’s middle name. Sure, you could pop antioxidant-packed strawberries and blueberries straight into your mouth, or whip them up in a fruit salad. But why not freeze ‘em into a nostalgia-inducing popsicle instead? Photo and recipe: Chungah An / Damn Delicious
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4. Strawberries with Balsamic, Greek Yogurt and Mint (135 calories)
Balsamic isn’t just for salads! Two teaspoons of aged vinegar will add a little zing to this bowl of strawberries, Greek yogurt and mint. Real maple syrup and honey provide an extra layer of sweetness to the fruit-based concoction. Photo and recipe: A Couple Cooks / A Couple Cooks
5. Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe (83 calories)
These candies will cost you fewer calories and grams of fat than traditional Reese’s. The secret ingredients: Chocolate protein powder, coconut oil, honey and stevia. Eat one now and store the leftovers in your fridge for up to a week (if they last). Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by DailyBurn
6. Watermelon Sorbet (83 calories)
In the best news we’ve heard all day, you don’t need an ice cream maker to make this frozen refreshment. Your freezer works just fine! Plus, this melon slush just so happens to have tons of vitamins A and C, along with the antioxidant lycopene. Photo and recipe: Jessica Tuttle / A Kitchen Addiction
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7. Skinny Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes (150 calories for three cupcakes)
Before you even have to ask, yes, you can eat three mini cupcakes, plus the drool-worthy cream cheese frosting only 150 calories. The cake is made with plain, non-fat Greek yogurt, and the frosting utilizes reduced-fat cream cheese for a caloric win-win. Photo and recipe: Sarah Hone / SkinnyMom
8. Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies (85 calories)
Chocolate and banana: A match made in heaven. Toss in some oats for added fiber that will help keep you satiated until you’re truly hungry again. Plus, if you decide to throw in some nuts, these nibbles can also be a tasty source of healthy fats, too. Photo and recipe: Emily Miller / Life by DailyBurn
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9. Cannoli Strawberries (34 to 50 calories per strawberry)
Whether you’re entertaining someone special or just making dinner for friends, these creamy berries are an easy way to show off your kitchen skills. Go for part-skim ricotta to keep this one especially health-conscious. Plus, guests can choose between toppings of chopped nuts or chocolate chips, depending on their tastes. Photo and recipe: Lori Yates / Foxes Love Lemons
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10. Lemonade Cupcakes (98 calories)
Citrus desserts scream, “Hello, summer!” And this recipe employs a simple baking trick that seriously slashes calories. Instead of using regular butter or oil, you’ll swap in unsweetened applesauce, instead. Your little cakes will still have a fluffy, moist consistency — without the consequences for your waistline. Photo and recipe: Wendy Zitzman / LaaLoosh
11. Low-Fat Pumpkin Cheesecake Pops (90 calories)
Who says you can’t eat pumpkin year-round? Loaded with vitamin A, which helps keep your vision sharp, this orange gourd offers too many antioxidants and nutrients to ignore in the off-season. Substitute pastel-colored sprinkles to make these feel less Halloween. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by DailyBurn
12. Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate (117 calories)
This is low-calorie? With hot weather on the horizon, this cold, chocolate treat will help you cool down without prompting a crash diet. Don’t skimp on the peanut butter — it gives this dish a dose of healthy fats. (Feeling ambitious? Try whipping up your own nut butter!) As the instructions note, this recipe produces a huge portion — eat two-thirds and freeze the rest. Photo and recipe: Katie Higgins / Chocolate-Covered Katie
13. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Balls (120 calories)
Follow up your evening sweat session with one of these doughy delights. Packed with five grams of protein each, they’re a deliciously easy way to help your muscles recover, while simultaneously satisfying your sweet tooth. Photo and recipe: Lee Hersh / Life by DailyBurn
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14. Mini Grape Tarts (86 calories)
Bursting with juiciness, grapes add a dose of vitamin C and antioxidants to this bite-size sweet. Even better, this recipe relies on fat-free Greek yogurt, rather than cream, for the tangy filling. Photo and recipe: Amy Atherton / Amy’s Healthy Baking
15. Chocolate Chip Biscotti (101 calories)
Is there anything more satisfying than biscotti dipped in coffee? These crescent-shaped cookies are naturally low in calories, so you won’t find any artificial sweeteners here. Practice mindful eating by taking your time and savoring each crunchy bite. Photo and recipe: Gina Homolka / Skinny Taste