Is it possible to enjoy holiday treats and still maintain your health? Absolutely! If you want to kick up the nutrition in your sweet treats, try recipes for healthy holiday desserts that contain ingredients with beneficial nutrients such as protein, fibre, healthy fats, natural sweeteners, key spices and vegetables. Yes, vegetables in dessert! It also helps when you whip up treats that are gluten-free and dairy-free, as gluten and dairy can be detrimental to a wide range of health conditions.

Here are some of our favourite gluten-free, dairy-free and healthy holiday desserts. We hope you invite us ’round if one of these goodies will be appearing on your dining room table!

And if you’re looking for more healthful holiday recipes or resources to help you bake sweet treats:

• Free Happy Holiday Treats! Cooking Class
• 30 Best Healthy Holiday Recipes
• 25 Best Healthy Holiday Sides and Appetizers
• 20 Best Healthy Mocktails
• Our 9 Favourite Dairy-Free Baking Substitutions
• Culinary Nutrition Guide to Natural Sweeteners
• Gluten-Free Flour Guide
• Our 5 Favourite Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Combinations
• Culinary Nutrition Chocolate Guide
• How to Make and Use Egg Replacers

20 Best Healthy Holiday Desserts

Chocolate Beet Cake With Avocado Frosting

Chocolate Beet Cake with Avocado Frosting by The Pretty Bee

Guests will never know this gluten-free and vegan cake contains antioxidant-rich beets and beneficial fats from avocado.

---

Orange-Scented Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Orange-Scented Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies by Ericka Thielke (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

If you haven’t tried baking with buckwheat flour, you really must – and this orange-kissed cookie recipe is a great place to start. Try adding more holiday-inspired spices too like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg!

---

Vegan Coconut Matcha Ice Cream Cakes

Vegan Coconut Matcha Ice Cream Cakes by Elephantastic Vegan

These adorable mini ice cream cakes are simple to make: no ice cream maker required.

---

Earl Grey Infused Lavender Cheesecake

Earl Grey Infused Lavender Cheesecake by Rena Williams Wellness (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

A raw, dairy-free cheesecake infused with earl grey tea and lavender leaves. This one will nourish and calm you at the same time.

---

Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse Cups

Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse Cups by Sheena Scott (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

Have some leftover pulp from making almond milk? Put it to good use with these ingenius superfood chocolate mousse cups. And, while you’re at it, take a peek at Sheena’s pumpkin spice ice cream pie.

---

Vegan and Paleo Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares

Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares by Rachel’s Nourishing Kitchen (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

Another no-bake dessert that harnesses the nutritional power of pumpkin. You won’t be able to resist these!

---

Gluten-Free Chocolate Almond Cake

Gluten-Free Chocolate Almond Cake by Life and Lemons (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

This fudgy cake is packed with protein and fibre-rich almond flour, plus we love piling fresh berries on top.

---

Paleo Cranberry Crumb Bars

Paleo Cranberry Crumb Bars by Bakerita

These grain-free, gluten-free and vegan bars look extremely festive and will fill your guests with holiday cheer.

---

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Dairy-Free Chocolate Avocado Pudding by Jennifer Barr (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

This dairy-free mousse/pudding uses avocado as the base – but you won’t even notice it!

---

Flourless Chickpea Blondies

Flourless Chickpea Blondies by Kitchen of Youth

This healthy treat will give you an extra boost of protein and fibre, and deliciousness of course.

---

Date Caramel and Pecan Baked Pears

Date Caramel and Pecan Baked Pears by Pure Ella

This simple and elegant 5-ingredient dessert is an ultra refreshing way to end a meal.

---

Soft and Chewy Vegan Gingersnaps

Soft and Chewy Vegan Gingersnaps by Radiant Rachels

Chewy cookie lovers will go bananas for these gluten-free and vegan gingersnaps filled with a luxurious macadamia nut frosting.

---

Pomegranate Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark

Pomegranate Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark by Maple + Mango (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

A very simple and very festive-looking chocolate dessert that only has four ingredients.

---

Spiced Sweet Potato Pie Filling

Spiced Sweet Potato Pie Filling by Blissful Basil

Do you ever wish you could eat sweet potato pie in a jar with a spoon? Well, with this sweetly spiced vegan recipe, now you can.

---

Paleo Plantain Apple Cake

Paleo Plantain Apple Cake by Goodie Godmother

A gluten-free cake you can whip up using only your blender. No mixing bowls needed – so you’re one step closer to the sweet deliciousness.

---

Almond Cinnamon Holiday Nog

Almond Cinnamon Holiday Nog by Meghan Telpner (*ACN Founder + Director)

For those who want an alternative holiday sipper, this alcohol-free and egg-free festive nog fits the bill perfectly. This bevvy matches perfectly with all your favourite healthy Christmas treats and gatherings!

---

Golden Savory Cake

Golden Savory Cake by Nutrition Stripped

A bright gluten-free cake that’s packed with anti-inflammatory spices. You can sweeten things up by drizzling with honey, maple syrup or chocolate sauce.

---

Paleo Carrot Cake

Paleo Carrot Cake by The Mindful Hapa

A gluten-free, dairy-free and grain-free carrot cake slathered with rich cashew frosting. Yum.

---

Sunbutter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

Sunbutter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies by Sondi Bruner (*ACN Head Program Coach)

These gluten-free, grain-free and vegan cookies have only seven ingredients and are little bites of heaven.

---

Chocolate Magic Custard Cake

Chocolate Magic Custard Cake by Gourmand Elle

A gluten-free and dairy-free chocolate cake spiked with an eensy weensy bit of rum.

---

Paleo Banana Bread

Paleo Banana Bread by Primal Gourmet

A stunning loaf that reportedly ‘tastes like a cloud’. We’re in.

---

No more sugary store-bought chocolate bars, or overpriced vegan nog. There’s a new healthy holiday dessert maker in the kitchen. It’s you!