Healthy Christmas Dessert Recipe Swaps, Yes, It's Possible

While the holidays are a perfect excuse to indulge in any sweet treat that comes your way, you don’t want to look like Ole St. Nick by the end of the season.

By putting a healthy spin on the final course, not only will you save yourself some serious guilt but you’ll finally start that reoccurring New Years resolution to eat better. Enlist the help of friends and family and you’ll quickly find that ‘healthy’ can translate to ‘delicious’.

1. Instead of Cupcakes → Strawberry Santas

This dessert gets an A+ for having holiday spirit! Try swapping out the sugary frosting for plain Greek yogurt. You won’t even notice the difference but you’ll get a whole lot more protein and a lot less of the bad fats!

Get the recipe here.

2. Instead of Chocolate Chip Cookies → Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate AND healthy? This is basically the Holy Grail of desserts. Make double the recipe and wrap a few in cellophane for your neighbors as a holiday surprise.

Get the recipe here.

3. Instead of Pecan Pie → Pumpkin Pie Bites

Back away from the carb-filled options and opt for a treat that is just as yummy but provides whole grains. This recipe replaces the sugar with pure maple syrup and agave nectar so it’s completely okay to have an extra serving during the holidays!

Get the recipe here.

Writer’s note: I have actually made these several times for my family and they’re always a hit!

4. Instead of Fruitcake → Caramel Apple Nachos

Although fruitcake is a Christmas staple (does anyone actually eat it?) it would be a smart move to leave the fruitcake behind. This alternative is yummy on the tastebuds… and easy on the waistline.

Get the recipe here.

5. Instead of Candy → Fruit Juice Cherry Jello Bites

One of the best parts about this recipe is that you can experiment by using different juices and fruits. We’re not sure why, but it’s pretty much a scientific fact that food in a fun shape just tastes better.

Get the recipe here.

• What is your favorite holiday dessert, Upper Marlboro? Share in the comments below!

Photo Credit: LivingLocurto.com

Read more:

5 Appetizers Recipes in 15 Minutes or Less

Recipe Book: How to Cook A Perfect Prime Rib Roast