Healthy-ish Valentine’s Day Desserts
These recipes include some not a lot of sugar. No artificial sweeteners or colors. Using mostly whole food ingredients for a little something sweet.
Many people (myself included) enjoy homemade desserts that are a bit healthier. These healthier desserts are a good place to start. Notice that I say healthier, not healthy. And there’s a reason for that.
Merriam Webster defines dessert as “a usually sweet course or dish (as of pastry or ice cream) usually served at the end of a meal.” The key word here is “sweet.”
There are 3 main ways to sweeten desserts:
- Sweeten with fruit. Dates and bananas are particularly good at this. Using dates in a food processor with nuts is a smart way to add sweetness and to help mixtures stay together. You can also use raisins, applesauce, and ripe fruit like pears to satisfy a sweet tooth.
- Add sugar. When I say sugar, I mean all forms of syrups and granulated sugar from brown to white sugar, turbinado or coconut sugar, to maple syrup and honey. All of these are forms of added sugar. And in my opinion. These work better than anything else to add sweetness to a dessert.
- Use a zero-calorie or artificial sweetener. This category includes sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, and sugar alcohols, but also stevia. It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of this option. I am not telling you to eat or not eat them (most are fine in moderation). However, I don’t personally enjoy these sweeteners nor the questionable side effects. So, this roundup doesn’t include any.
You’ll find recipes below that use less added sugar, grain-free options, and desserts that add in fruits and vegetables for a hidden nutrition boost!
Valentine’s Day Smoothies and other Sweet Sips
White Chocolate Raspberry Valentine’s Smoothie (By The Lively Table, pictured above)
Dairy-Free Healthy Mocha Frappe (by Carolyn Williams, RD, pictured below)
Fruit Desserts for Valentine’s Day
Strawberry Crepe Cake (by Taste and See, pictured above)
Strawberry Roses and Light and Lemony Cheesecake Bars
Healthy Chocolate Recipes for Valentine’s Day
Two Bite Brownies (Gluten-free, dairy-free)
Instant Pot Mexican Hot Chocolate
Cakes, Brownies, and Tarts
Mini Flourless Chocolate Cake (If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen, pictured above)
30-Minute Healthy Chocolate Cake
Healthier Chocolate & Cherry Muffins
Flourless Tahini Swirl Brownie Bites
Healthy Chocolate Brownies (Gluten-Free)
Chocolate Maca Tahini Brownies
Air-Fryer Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Tarts
No-Bake Layered Vegan Cheesecake
Truffles
Dark Chocolate Truffles with Hazelnuts (By The Clever Meal, pictured above)
Vegan White Chocolate Truffles
Easy Chocolate Almond Truffles
Puddings, Mousse, and other Silky Smooth Treats
Vegan Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Dark Chocolate Mint Avocado Pudding
Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta with Fresh Blackberries
3 Ingredient Vegan Strawberry Mousse
Cheesecake
No-Bake Layered Vegan Cheesecake (by Backyard Bohemian, pictured above)
Strawberry Roses and Light and Lemony Cheesecake Bars
Date Sweetened Desserts
Easy Chocolate Almond Truffles
Have a great Valentine’s Day!
Will you be making any of these? Be sure to tag me and the other bloggers on Instagram with your creations!