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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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)

Healthy Chocolate Smoothie

 

Fruit Desserts for Valentine’s Day

Strawberry Crepe Cake (by Taste and See, pictured above)

Strawberry Roses and Light and Lemony Cheesecake Bars

Strawberry Mascarpone Tart

Spiced Berry Bliss Balls

 

Healthy Chocolate Recipes for Valentine’s Day

Two Bite Brownies (Gluten-free, dairy-free)

Almond Butter Heart Fudge

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)

Chocolate Raspberry Truffles

Vegan White Chocolate Truffles

Easy Chocolate Almond Truffles

Raspberry Brownie 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

Chocolate 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

Spiced Berry Bliss Balls

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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!