Enjoy your holidays with one or more of these Healthy Christmas and Holiday Dessert Recipes. Favorite cookies, cakes, tarts and sweet treats made healthier and lighter.
(Pictured from Top to Bottom, Left To Right: Skinny Berry Cheesecake Trifle, Cherry Coconut Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Tart, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Gluten-Free Spritz Cookies, Strawberry Whipped Cream Santas, Chocolate Mint Brownies, Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies, Insanely Good Chocolate Brownies, Cranberry Clementine Coconut Bars, Cranberry Apple Maple Crisp, Prosecco Soaked Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Almond Chocolate Thumbprints, Pomegranate Poached Pears, Triple Ginger Gingersnaps, Mini Vegan Chocolate Chip Berry Pies, Peanut Butter and Jam Bars,  Apple Pear Crisp, Peanut Butter Cookies with Dark Chocolate Drizzle, Cranberry Gingerbread Upside Down Cake, Crockpot Peppermint Fudge)
Updated to include even more delicious holiday treats.
Today, I’ve got a HUGE roundup of 100+ Healthy Christmas and Holiday Dessert Recipes from lots of fellow foodie bloggers. Each of these recipes has a healthy twist, whether it’s using whole grain flour or nut flour in place of white flour, unrefined sugar in place of white sugar, applesauce in place of butter/oil, or using lighter versions of ingredients in place of full-fat ones. In addition, many of these recipes are allergy-friendly and specific diet-friendly, meaning they are gluten-free or gluten-free adaptable (e.g., when oats are called for, use gluten-free oats), dairy-free, egg-free, vegan (dairy and egg-free), or paleo-friendly. I’ve made a note of recipes that fit any of these special dietary considerations.
No one wants to feel like they’re missing out during the holiday season, so treat yourself to some of  these healthy Christmas and Holiday dessert recipes Even better, make extras to give away to friends and neighbors. After all, the holiday season is all about giving.
Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies
- Double-Buckwheat Double-Chocolate Cookies, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Oat Sorghum Cookies (gluten-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Quinoa Oat Thumbprint Cookies (gluten-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Cranberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Peanut Butter Cookies with Dark Chocolate Drizzle (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Cookies (gluten-free, dairy-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Currant Cookies (gluten-free), Foodie Crush
- Thin Mints (gluten-free, vegan, paleo friendly), Elana’s Pantry
- Mini Vanilla Macaroons (gluten-free, dairy-free), Everyday Maven
- Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies (gluten-free, egg-free), An Edible Mosaic
- Triple Ginger Gingersnaps (gluten-free, vegan optional), The Recipe Renovator **
- Classic Gingerbread Men (low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free), All Day I Dream About Food
- Cranberry Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies (low carb, gluten-free), All Day I Dream About Food
- Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies (gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo friendly), Gourmande In The Kitchen
- Double Chocolate Cookies (gluten-free), Gourmande In The Kitchen
- Gingerbread Cookies (gluten-free, vegan), The Healthy Apple
- Eggnog Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten-free), Marla Meredith
- Oatmeal Cookies (gluten-free), Feed Me Phoebe
- Fudgey Flourless Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (gluten-free, dairy-free), Sugar-Free Mom
- Chewy Magic Peanut Butter Middle Cookies (gluten-free, vegan), Lexie’s Kitchen
- Spritz Cookies (gluten-free, vegan), Lexie’s Kitchen
- Brown Sugar Buckwheat Thumbprint Cookies (gluten-free, vegan), Gluten Free Goddess
- Teff Peanut Butter Cookies (gluten-free, vegan), Beard and Bonnet
- Grain-Free “Oatmeal” Cookies with Marshmallow Filling (gluten-free, dairy-free), Deliciously Organic
- Eggnog Coconut Macaroons (gluten-free, dairy-free), Food For My Family
- Gluten-Free Orange-Almond Snowballs (gluten-free, dairy-free), Recipe Girl
- Healthy No-Bake Cookies (gluten-free, vegan), Two Peas and Their Pod
- Chocolate Dipped Marcona Butter Cookies (gluten-free, vegan), Spabettie
- Grain-Free No-Bake Gingerbread Cookie Balls (gluten-free, vegan), Tasty Yummies
- Chocolate Cashew Cookies (gluten-free, dairy-free), Running To The Kitchen
- Chocolate Chunk Molasses Gingerbread Cookies (gluten-free, dairy-free), Running To The Kitchen
- Almond Chocolate Thumbprints  (gluten-free, dairy-free), Running To The Kitchen
- Pumpkin Almond Butter Cookies (gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free), The Gracious Pantry
- Grain-Free Peanut Butter Cookies (gluten-free), Life Made Full
- Jam Thumbprints (gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free), With Food And Love
More Holiday Cookies
- Cranberry Flax Cookies (egg-free), An Edible Mosaic
- Rustic Orange Pistachio Biscotti with Cranberries (dairy-free), Liv Life
- Cocoa Cookies with Chia and Anise Seeds and Lemon-Yogurt Glaze, Beyond The Peel
- Whole Wheat Biscotti with Dark Chocolate and Cherries (dairy-free), Cookin’ Canuck
- Healthier New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies (dairy-free), Texanerin Baking
- Cowboy Cookies, She’s Cookin
- Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Cookies, The Messy Baker
- Vegan Molasses Crinkles (vegan), Kim’s Cooking Frenzy
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (vegan), Minimalist Baker
Holiday Cookie Bars
- Peanut Butter and Jam Bars (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Insanely Good Chocolate Brownies (gluten-free, dairy-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Raspberry Almond Bars (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Grain-Free Fudge Pumpkin Brownies (gluten-free, dairy-free), Angie’s Recipes
- Buckwheat Jam Bars (gluten-free), Angie’s Recipes
- Cocoa Caramel Bars (gluten-free, vegan, paleo friendly), 80 twenty
- Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oat Bars (gluten-free, vegan), Ambitious Kitchen
- Chocolate Mint Brownies (gluten-free, vegan optional, paleo optional), 80 twenty
- Healthier Lemon Bars (gluten-free, dairy-free), Texanerin Baking
Holiday Cakes and Cheesecakes
- Decadent Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake (gluten-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Skinny Berry Cheesecake Trifle, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Almond Sorghum Pumpkin Cupcakes (gluten-free, dairy-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Orange Persimmon Cake (gluten-free, dairy-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Cranberry Gingerbread Upside-Down Cake (gluten-free, dairy-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Low-Sugar Whole Wheat Apple Pear Cake with Cinnamon and Pecans, Kalyn’s Kitchen
- Applesauce Ginger Cake (dairy-free, egg-free), FatFree Vegan Kitchen
- German Chocolate Cupcakes (gluten-free, dairy-free), Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free
- Gingerbread Cake (gluten-free, vegan), The Kitchn
- Gingerbread Layer Cake with Bourbon Pecans & Caramel Sauce (gluten-free, paleo friendly), Wicked Good Kitchen
- Quinoa Chocolate Cake (gluten-free), Angie’s Recipes
- Apple Cranberry Bundt Cake (gluten-free, vegan), Sarah Bakes Gluten-Free Treats
- Pumpkin Swirl Pecan Crumb Cake (gluten-free), Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Hazelnut Yogurt Cake with Honied Berries (gluten-free), The Tomato Tart
- Moroccan Chocolate Cake (gluten-free), MarocMama
- Gingerbread Cake with Chocolate and Coffee (gluten-free, dairy-free), The Baking Beauties
- Banana Cake with Toasted Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting, The Law Student’s Wife
- Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes (gluten-free, dairy-free), 80 Twenty
- Mini Chocolate Crusted Cheesecake with Fresh Berries (gluten-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Vanilla “Cheesecake” with Chocolate Chip Crust (gluten-free, vegan), Beard and Bonnet
- Mini Lemon Cheesecakes, The Law Student’s Wife
- Good For You Strawberry Tiramisu Cheesecake Cups (gluten-free, egg-free), Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Holiday Pies, Tarts, and Crisps
- Chocolate Tart with Blood Orange Caramel (gluten-free, vegan), The Tomato Tart
- Chocolate Date Caramel Walnut Tart (gluten-free, vegan), Gourmande In The Kitchen
- No Bake Chocolate Tart (gluten-free, vegan), She’s Cookin
- Sand Tarts (gluten-free), Real Food Whole Health
- Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart (gluten-free, egg-free), Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Holiday Cranberry & Peach Galette (gluten-free, dairy-free), The Healthy Apple
- Paleo Chocolate Pecan Tart (gluten-free), Paleo Fondue
- Apple Pear Crisp (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Low-Sugar Apple Cranberry Crisp (gluten-free, vegan), Kalyn’s Kitchen
- Cranberry Apple Maple Crisp (gluten-free, vegan), With Food And Love
- Mini Vegan Chocolate Chip Mixed Berry Pies, Jewhungry
More Healthy Christmas and Holiday Dessert Recipes
- Light Pumpkin Pie Gingersnap Parfaits, Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Vanilla Pear Raspberry Panna Cotta (gluten-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Chocolate Mousse (gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, low-carb), Sugar-Free Mom
- Strawberry Whipped Cream Santas (gluten-free, egg-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits (gluten-free, egg-free), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Pomegranate Poached Pears (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Chocolate Mousse with Pomegranate Gelatin (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Dark Chocolate Dipped Dried Apricots (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Cocoa Dusted Dark Chocolate Coated Almonds (gluten-free, vegan), Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Prosecco Soaked Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries (gluten-free, vegan), Everyday Maven
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (gluten-free, vegan), An Edible Mosaic
- Double Fudge and Fig Truffles (gluten-free, vegan), Spabettie
- Almond Coconut Chocolate Truffles (gluten-free, vegan), Gluten Free Easily
- Almond Butter Pumpkin Pie Truffles (gluten-free, egg-free), Slim Palate
- Crockpot Peppermint Fudge (gluten-free, dairy-free), Sugar-Free Mom
- Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Mousse, (gluten-free, vegan), Oh My Veggies
- Pomegranate Chocolate Mousse (gluten-free, egg-free), Kitchen Tested
- Dark Chocolate, Orange & Pistachio Greek Yogurt Cups (gluten-free, egg-free), Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Easy Pots de Chocolat with Greek Yogurt (gluten-free, egg-free), Cook The Story
I hope you enjoyed this roundup of Healthy Christmas and Holiday Dessert Recipes and find some healthy holiday inspiration in these recipes!
Please be sure to share these 100+ Healthy Christmas and Holiday Dessert Recipes on Pinterest, Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter.
THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE and wonderful list of healthy treat for Christmas! I love you! Thank you for sharing some of my recipes too! Merry Christmas Jeannette!
Brenda – always love seeing your sugar free treats!
wow OMG what a list
Thank you so much for including 2 of my recipes darling!!! You are so thoughtful; happy holidays. Hugs from NYC. ooxox Love ya!!!
You’re welcome Amie – always enjoy seeing your healthy recipes!
This list is amazing! Thank you so so much for including two of my recipes. Hope you have a very happy holiday with family and friends 🙂
Thanks Erin – your banana cake and mini cheesecakes sound awesome!
I’m so glad you decided to put together this extensive roundup of healthy indulgences, Jeanette – and thank you for including 2 of mine! Sometimes I have to avert my eyes to what is going on in the food blogosphere at this time of year 🙂 Happy holidays to you and yours!
Such a great collection all in one place!
Thanks Shaina – I had no idea how long this list was going to be when I started – so great to be find so many healthier treats that almost anyone can enjoy!
That is the most amazing list of goodies. I will be spending the afternoon looking at the links.
Thanks.
Thanks Ash – hope you have fun looking through this long list of healthy sweet treats!
Hi Jeanette – thanks so much for adding my {grain free} Jam Thumbprints + {grain free} Cranberry Apple Maple Crisp! What an awesome round up of so many yummy treats. Happy Holiday!
love + l i g h t,
XO SHERRIE
Such an awesome list! I’m going to refer to this when I’m assigned dessert for Christmas dinner!
Thanks Davida – there is something for everyone amongst all these recipes – enjoy!
Wow, this is quite a list. Which recipes have you personally tried, and are your favorite?
Tess – I’ve made the Skinny Berry Cheesecake Trifle, Cranberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies w/ Dark Chocolate Drizzle, Peanut Butter Jam Bars, Insanely Good Chocolate Brownies, Raspberry Almond Bars, Almond Sorghum Pumpkin Cupcakes, Orange Persimmon Cake, Cranberry Gingerbread Upside-Down Cake, Apple Pear Crisp, Strawberry Whipped Cream Santas, Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters, Skinny Strawberry Parfaits, Pomegranate Poached Pears, Chocolate Mousse w/ Pomegranate Glaze, and Dark Chocolate Dipped Apricots.
Wow Jeanette! So many great ideas and thanks for including my recipe 🙂
Alyssa – love your mini macaroons and prosecco soaked chocolate dipped strawberries!
What a list! This is incredible, Jeanette! I will be referring back to this list several times this week as we plan our menu. Thank you so much for including me!
Thanks Faith – love your Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups!
Wow! Now that’s a healthy list of holiday treats! Thank you for putting this fabulous list together for everyone mindful of being healthy during the holidays, Jeanette. So sweet of you. 🙂 And, thank you for including Wicked Good Kitchen’s paleo Gingerbread Layer Cake with Bourbon Pecans & Caramel Sauce! Happy Holidays! xo
Stacy – that Gingerbread Layer Cake of your sounds and looks amazing!
Wow what a list, this is a great resource!
Thanks Sylvie – loving your cookie recipes!
This is a CRAZY awesome list!! I’m feeling much less anxious about finding something to make for Christmas and Christmas eve now!
Thanks Joanne – hopefully there is something for everyone on this list of sweet treats!
Holy cow…this is an amazing list, Jeanette! What a fantastic resource for those who either have dietary restrictions or are just trying to be a little more conscious about what they eat over the holidays.
Thanks Dara – it was truly amazing to find so many healthier and allergy-friendly recipes – no one will feel left out this holiday season!
Whoa, that’s one heck of a list! I definitely see a few I need to make. 🙂
G’day and WOW! WHAT a list indeed, Jeanette, true!
I will be savoring each link, photo and recipe! Voted for you! Good Luck! Will pin later too! Thank you for inspiring me too!
Cheers! Joanne
Jeanette, that’s a beautiful and great roundup of wonderful treats.
Will definitely be checking your links. Thanks for a lot of work and effort put into creating this list.
Happy Holidays!
Wow this is an amazing comprehensive list!! Thanks so so much for including me. Happy Holidays!
Totally making some from of these for Christmas Eve. I found your post from Pinterest ! Thanks for sharing, Jeanette!
Thanks so much Jill! Glad you found this helpful!
These recipes so extravagant:) I tried this chocolate cranberry walnut cookies and they were awesome.
So glad you enjoyed the chocolate cranberry walnut cookies – those are one of our favorites!