10 Healthy Holiday Sweets That Feel Indulgent Without the Guilt

The holidays are here, and that means festive treats are everywhere! But who wants the heavy feeling that often follows traditional holiday baking? These sweet recipes capture all the warmth and deliciousness of the season using ingredients that support your well-being. Made with natural sweetness and fantastic spices, these desserts are rich, satisfying, and perfect for sharing!

Gluten-Free Peppermint Patty Bars

Dairy-free peppermint patty bar topped in chocolate and coconut on a white plate. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

With a chewy, nutty base and topped with thick chocolate, these gluten-free peppermint patty bars are always a hit around the holidays! With zero baking required, they're the perfect dairy-free to whip up and save you some kitchen time. To learn more: Peppermint Patty Bars

Dairy-Free S'mores Mini Cups

Mini s'mores cups with graham cracker crust, chocolate, peanut butter and mini marshmallows in a mini, silicone red muffin tin on a blue linen — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Indulge in summer with these individual, mini, peanut butter s'mores cups! Enjoy all the indulgence of buttery graham cracker, topped with dark chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and a marshmallow to finish it off.

Get the recipe: Dairy-Free S'mores Cups

Gingerbread Protein Cookies

High protein gingerbread cookies with frosting and a cookie cutter in the middle. — Fit as a Mama Bear

With a soft texture and comforting warm spices, these gingerbread protein cookies are the perfect holiday treat. Made with vegan protein powder, almond flour, and a tasty cinnamon blend, these cookies pack in 7 grams of protein each! To learn more: Gingerbread Cookies

Peanut Butter and Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Cooling rack with flourless peanut butter thumbprint cookies topped with jam with a jar of jam and a spoon behind them — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Deliciously soft these peanut butter thumbprint cookies make the perfect dessert! Using only five ingredients the flourless peanut butter cookies are topped with jam taking the iconic sandwich and making it into something new. To learn more: Flourless Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Candy Cane Paleo Donuts

Candy cane donuts on a cooling rack. — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Get into the Christmas spirit with these paleo donuts! These peppermint donuts are made with almond and coconut flour and come out ultra-soft and indulgent. Top them with your favorite dairy-free glaze; no one can say no to them on the dessert table.

Get the recipe: Candy Cane Paleo Donuts

High Protein Coffee Brownies

Coffee protein brownies lined up on parchment paper and topped with coffee icing. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Thick, rich, and deliciously indulgent these dark coffee brownies are packed with protein! Made with mostly healthy ingredients and topped with a creamy coffee frosting, these chocolate protein brownies will become your go-to dessert in no time.

Get the recipe: High Protein Coffee Brownies

Protein-Packed Brownie Batter Dip

Wooden serving platter with edible brownie batter in a white ramekin surrounded by pretzels and apples and a hand dipping an apple into the brownie batter dip. — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Whip up this edible brownie batter in just five minutes! This high-protein snack is made with only seven ingredients and can be laced with fun toppings depending on the occasion.

Get the recipe: High Protein Edible Brownie Batter

Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake

Protein cheesecake topped with strawberries topping on a white plate. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Rich and indulgent but high in protein this strawberry protein cheesecake recipe makes the perfect dessert! Made with a chewy protein cookie base and topped with a creamy cheesecake filling, this protein dessert is worth the extra effort.

Get the recipe: High Protein Cheesecake

Candy Cane Chocolate Fudge

Two pieced of candycane fudge stacked the top with a bite out of it and more fudge and candy canes behind them. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Made with just 4 ingredients, this Candy Cane Chocolate Fudge is smooth, rich, and loaded with peppermint flavor. Topped with crushed candy canes for extra crunch, it’s the perfect dessert to whip up for holiday parties or cozy nights at home. To learn more: Peppermint Chocolate Fudge

Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

With a soft, light, texture and topped with a healthy, 5-minute chocolate frosting to make the perfect dessert. With a base of almond and coconut flour, the cookies are sweet and delicate but also deliciously indulgent. To learn more: Coconut Thumbprint Cookies