12 Delicious Desserts You Won't Believe Are Actually Healthy-ish

Hello, gorgeous stonefruit and berries! Bonus: There's even some recipes for your household chocolate lover.

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Photo: Jennifer Causey

Searching for dessert ideas that taste delicious but are made with better-for-you ingredients can be a sad, soggy, artificial-food-filled rabbit hole. No longer: this recipe roundup is just the inspiration you've been looking for. Read on to see how butternut squash can make the batter for melt-in-your-mouth blondies, or try our easy tartlets recipe that's made with sunflower seed butter (P.S. it packs plenty of protein). We also have rice crispy treats that are made with a low-sugar caramel that you can drizzle on just about anything, and tons of fruit-filled summertime treats your sweet tooth will die for. Here are 12 healthy-ish homemade desserts your whole family will love.

01 of 12

Chocolate Raspberry Skillet Cake

Chocolate Raspberry Skillet Cake
Samantha Seneviratne

Graham flour is a coarsely ground type of whole-wheat flour that adds a pleasant texture and a nutty flavor to this tender breakfast cake. But if you can’t find it, use whole wheat flour. The texture won’t be exactly the same but the cake will still be delicious.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Raspberry Skillet Cake

02 of 12

White Wine and Apricot Granita

White Wine and Apricot Granita
Samantha Seneviratne

Sophisticated and simple, this granita takes in-season fruit and glams it up with wine and honey. Try it as a make-ahead treat for a dinner party with friends.

Get the recipe: White Wine and Apricot Granita

03 of 12

Gluten Free Hazelnut Plum Muffins

Gluten Free Hazelnut Plum Muffins
Samantha Seneviratne

These beauties are made with hazelnut meal, a gluten-free flour that is available online or in the baking section of a well-stocked supermarket. Or, you can also make your own—just process skinned hazelnuts in a food processor until finely ground—or substitute with an equal amount of almond flour.

Get the recipe: Gluten Free Hazelnut Plum Muffins

04 of 12

Rolled Blackberry and Cream Cake

Rolled Blackberry and Cream Cake
Samantha Seneviratne

This simple cake looks impressive, but the components are forgiving—feel free to swap out the blackberries for any ripe, summer fruit that you have on hand.

Get the recipe: Rolled Blackberry and Cream Cake

05 of 12

Cherry Nectarine Crisp With Cornmeal and Coconut

Cherry Nectarine Crisp With Cornmeal and Coconut
Samantha Seneviratne

This delicious crisp is naturally gluten-free and vegan. Feel free to swap in other fruit—blueberries and raspberries are especially nice—if cherries are hard to find.

Get the recipe: Cherry Nectarine Crisp With Cornmeal and Coconut

06 of 12

Dark Chocolate Coconut Tartlets

Healthy Desserts Recipes: Dark Chocolate Coconut Tartlets
Jennifer Causey

Sneak some protein into dessert time with sunflower seed butter or any other creamy nut butter. When mixed with silky melted dark chocolate, it’s the filling for an unbelievably easy coconut tartlets dessert recipe.

Get the recipe: Dark Chocolate Coconut Tartlets

07 of 12

Caramel Plum Galette

Caramel Plum Galette
Samantha Seneviratne

With a filling of fresh summer plums and an easy anise-scented caramel, this free-form pie couldn’t be simpler or more delicious. Really pressed for time? Just sub in a store-bought pie crust.

Get the recipe: Caramel Plum Galette

08 of 12

Butternut Blondies With Maple Walnuts

Healthy Desserts Recipes: Butternut Blondies With Maple Walnuts
Jennifer Causey

An easy blondies recipe with an unexpected healthy twist: Sweet winter squash is a perfect match for a fall dessert bar, but if you’re all about the pumpkin, make this one with pumpkin puree and you’ve got a pumpkin blondies recipe.

Get the recipe: Butternut Blondies With Maple Walnuts

09 of 12

No Churn Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream

No Churn Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream
Samantha Seneviratne

Roasting the strawberries releases some of the excess moisture and concentrates the flavor of the fruit. No ice cream maker required.

Get the recipe: No Churn Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream

10 of 12

Date Caramel Sauce

Healthy Desserts Recipes: Date Caramel Sauce
Jennifer Causey

Drizzle this date caramel on fruit or frozen desserts, or simply stir it into your morning oatmeal. Dates are high in fiber and antioxidants and this natural caramel couldn’t be easier to make. Plus it just happens to be vegan!

Get the recipe: Date Caramel Sauce

11 of 12

Peaches and Cream Tart

Peaches and Cream Tart
Samantha Seneviratne

Cool and creamy and packed with juicy fruit, this simple custard tart highlights fresh peaches as the peak of the season.

Get the recipe: Peaches and Cream Tart

12 of 12

Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats

Healthy Desserts Recipes: Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats
Jennifer Causey

These rice crispy treats are satisfyingly crispy. Melted chocolate and coconut oil bind with the puffed rice cereal for a truly toothsome treat. You’ll notice there are no marshmallows in this recipe, which means no added sugar. Pick up a nice chocolate bar for the best tasting (and super crispy) treats.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats

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