Just because you eat clean, doesn’t mean you can’t indulge your sweet tooth every once in a while. From baked goods like cakes, cookies and pies to homemade ice cream and sorbets, these clean dessert recipes feature less sugar and empty calories than the average sweet treat.
We created this beautiful layer cake to celebrate Clean Eating's 10th anniversary, but it is perfect for celebrating birthdays, baby showers or even Sunday dinner! It's all clean, of course, made with whole-wheat flour and a raspberry chia filling.
Beet purée adds the subtle red hue to this better-for-you red velvet cake smothered in a layer of irresistible chocolate frosting.
These luscious eggnog cheesecake squares are a delicious and fuss-free party dessert!
Superfood sacha inchi, also called Inca peanuts, are high in protein and very rich in tryptophan, the amino acid that increases levels of serotonin.
Matcha is a brilliant green powder made from ground green tea leaves, which was originally served in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. In cooking, it pairs beautifully with creamy or bright accents.
We’ve given traditional brittle a makeover, sweetening it with only honey and coconut sugar and packing it to the brim with good-for-you nuts and seeds.
Full-fat coconut milk is key to achieving the luscious creamy texture that’s often lacking in dairy-free puddings. For a pop of color, sprinkle with curls of lemon zest, mint or berries just before serving.
Sour cream adds richness and fluffy texture to these decadent cupcakes topped with a fudgy, date-sweetened espresso buttercream – you’d never know they were 100% whole wheat!
Fruity popsicles made with coconut milk are drizzled in dark chocolate and sprinkled with your choice of toppings for a customizable and cooling summer treat.
Stone fruits like peaches are great for grilling – they’re meaty enough to hold up to the heat and the sugars caramelize beautifully on the grates. Most dulce de leche recipes use dairy, but ours uses full-fat coconut milk instead.
Spirals of apple are drizzled with dark chocolate and sprinkled with an array of toppings - nuts, dried fruit, coconut and sea salt are our favorites. This dessert is best eaten right out of the freezer.
Did you know that raspberries are high in fiber? One cup is higher in fiber (at 8 grams) than the same serving of grains such as cooked whole-wheat spaghetti and brown rice!
Cacao is a superfood that provides a mood-boosting, energy-enhancing effect by triggering the release of the “love drug” neurotransmitter phenethylamine (PEA), which also helps improve focus.
Chia seeds are tiny powerhouses filled with omega-3s, fiber, protein and antioxidants. Thanks to the protein and fiber they contain, chia seeds can help keep you satiated throughout the day.
Ten minutes and five ingredients are all it takes to make these sweet, chewy clusters – no oven required!
Made with a combination of gluten-free flours including millet, almond and rice flour, this loaf is soft and zesty with a luxurious glaze over top – you’ll never even miss the wheat.
A classic combination, sweet-tart blueberries pair perfectly with earthy cornmeal in these dessert muffins with a buttery oat topping. We combine cornmeal with whole-wheat pastry flour in this recipe, but you can easily make it gluten-free: Swap out the pastry flour in the muffin for a gluten-free flour blend, and use 1½ tbsp each gluten-free oat flour and gluten-free flour blend to replace the pastry flour in the topping.
This Latin American street food is traditionally deep-fried, but we prefer these lighter baked versions – plus your friends and family will never guess they’re whole grain! Be sure to serve the churros immediately to prevent them from getting soggy.
This light and fluffy cake has a creamy caramel sauce that soaks into it for extra sweetness and stickiness.
We want you to eat more chocolate. As a top source of antioxidants, cacao powder is known to promote heart health. Additionally, it's one of the best sources of magnesium, which helps relax muscles and regulate blood pressure.
Rich, velvety and with just the right amount of salt to offset its sweetness, this 25-minute dessert is a surefire win for any occasion.
Blue Majik is a natural extract of spirulina that’s mainly composed of phycocyanin, a bright blue pigment with antioxidant effects that may help boost your immune system and fight cell and DNA damage. Phycocyanin is also a natural anti-inflammatory that may help relieve pain after workouts.
These chewy, spiced cookies with creamy peanut butter, oats and dried fruit make the perfect breakfast, snack or light dessert.
Can’t decide between chocolate and pumpkin pie for your holiday gathering? This dessert has both with a velvety pumpkin filling and beautiful swirls of rich, dark chocolate.
Coffee cake doesn’t have to be understated – with whole-grain flour, flaxseeds and squash for added nutrition, plus an indulgent maple glaze drizzled over top, this cake will surely get noticed.
Made from whole green tea leaves that are stone ground into a fine powder, matcha contains caffeine to help improve focus and L-theanine, an amino acid that induces a sense of well-being and relaxation.
Deep chocolate and sweet-tart raspberries mingle in a creamy fluffy cake roll that's so decadent you won't be able to resist!
No ice cream maker? No problem. This creamy, dairy-free treat can be made in your freezer.
Hailing from England, a fool is a custard-based dessert mixed with cooked fruit. Here, we substitute coconut cream and crème fraiche for the custard and stir in lightly sweetened cherries. Layered with fresh nectarines, this is one of the easiest and prettiest desserts you can make.
Hazelnut milk and almond flour add sweet, rich, nutty flavor to this fall dessert. Try solo or topped with whipped coconut cream.
Lighter than ice cream but creamier than sorbet, this sweet-tart recipe using sour cream and yogurt is the ultimate indulgence – with or without an ice cream maker.
These freezer treats have three gorgeous layers – a nutty base, a creamy caramel middle and a smooth, chocolaty top. They're incredibly easy to put together but look impressive for company.
These truffles are coated in baobab powder, the dried pulp from the fruit pods of an African tree that is rich in antioxidants. If you prefer not to use it, though, Ella says you can roll the truffles in raw cacao powder instead.
We’ve captured the fragrant flavors of Mexican hot chocolate and baked them right into these decadent cupcakes. They’re gluten-free, grain-free and free of all refined sugars – so you can indulge without guilt!
It doesn’t get more indulgent than this — a velvety peanut butter mousse filling over a cocoa and nut crust, all topped with a coconut caramel drizzle!
If you love the rich, warming spices of fall like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, then this cake is for you. An easy caramel sauce elevates this dessert and adds a wow factor.
A seriously decadent dessert for peanut lovers! A gluten-free crust is layered with a peanut butter filling sweetened with coconut sugar and topped off with crunchy peanuts and chocolate chips.
This dough is simple to prepare, and gifting it rolled in parchment (with baking directions) and frozen provides your recipient with ready-to-bake cookies whenever he or she craves them.
Velvety cheesecake gets a festive makeover with a fragrant chestnut crust and a maple cranberry sauce drizzled over top.
This carrot cake is delicious served warm, right from the slow cooker. But if you’d like to save some for later, our cake can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Sweet, rich and creamy bananas are a great source of fiber, minerals (such as potassium) and vitamins. Additionally, carrots are soaring with vitamin A and are known for their supply of the antioxidant beta-carotene. These orange root veggies are also filled with numerous other antioxidants and nutrients.
With less than 300 calories, this classic casual cake is ready for everyday indulgence.
A chocolate lover’s dream, these old-school fudge pops use whole milk, dark chocolate and cocoa powder for the ultimate rich, chocolaty summer treat.
Beneath a creamy swirl of lemony topping is a strikingly vibrant, sweet and tart, jam-like fruit filling.
These no-cook energy balls take only 15 minutes of prep. Store half in the fridge and freeze the other half for later.
We’ve kept the authentic twice-baked technique of these Italian-style cookies – we’ve simply replaced wheat flour with almond and rice flours and drizzled chocolate over top for an indulgent, wheat-free treat.
Vanilla- and orange-scented cream cheese icing top these extra-fudgy brownies for an indulgent treat you won’t believe is actually clean.
Yogurt and cream combine to create this extra-velvety mousse. We suggest opting for organic and/or pasture-raised dairy whenever possible.
Soufflés can be individual-sized, made in small ramekins, or big enough to serve a crowd. Ours are the former. You can prepare them up to 4 hours in advance through Step 4, then hold them in the refrigerator (uncovered) until you’re ready to bake. In the case of early prep, add 5 to 7 minutes to cooking time.
Our version of classic spice cake saves you 327 calories and 51 grams of sugar.
With only five clean ingredients, these gluten-free peanut butter cups are both clean and delicious.
The subtle hue of our red velvet cake is our natural answer to food dye: beets!
Sweet, juicy peaches are a perfect match for sharp, pungent ginger in this stunning, South Asian-inspired summer lassi pop.
Cherry cheesecake doesn't have to be sinful with this rich and creamy gourmet ice pop, a simple blend of five wholesome ingredients.
Studies show that berries can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and what better way to enjoy them than in berry ice pops laced with rich Greek yogurt.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, strawberries are the queen of summer produce. They're the perfect addition to desserts such as pies, trifles or these Strawberry Cream Pie Parfaits!
This hearty breakfast casserole, stuffed with blueberry cheesecake filling (yes, that's the clean version) is sinful to be sure, but only - believe it - 285 calories!
We've sandwiched rich vanilla custard between fluffy pillows of cake and smothered it with sticky chocolate. Sound like a dream? Meet our made-over Boston Cream!
Refreshing, mint-infused coconut gets sandwiched between satisfying dark chocolate in these light and easy-to-make treats.
There's no need for serving plates or forks with this gooey chocolate and peanut butter dessert — simply serve these bites on a large platter and let guests dig in. The best part? You can make these in advance and store in the freezer until the day of your party.
Don't forget about dessert! Yes, you can actually make this decadent fruity crisp on the grill. Try serving it with a dollop of vanilla or plain yogurt.
Loaded with tasty fruit and nuts, these gluten-free squares are the perfect mid-morning snack.
Chef Joanne Lusted's creamy tropical mousse blends rich coconut milk with fresh citrus for a downright heavenly combination you're sure to love.
No, you're not dreaming - these creamy, crumbly sandwich cookies are 100% clean.
Subtly sweet pears are easily elevated to dessert status with a rich, spiced chocolate coating topped by a decadent maple caramel drizzle.
A dessert worthy of celebrating Easter, mom, or any other occasion - this easy cake equals indulgence without the guilt!
The secret to rich desserts without the fat? Silken tofu. Unlike the firm tofu used in stir-frys, this softer type can be blended to a smooth, thick consistency – perfect for creamy desserts. Lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup and your favorite pumpkin pie spices, our mousse is so rich and delicious your family will never be able to guess the secret ingredient.
Whip up any of our sweetest clean eating desserts for your love, and you won’t have to regret the next morning.
This fast dessert combines winter's best grapefruit and pomegranate, so you'll be able to whip it up in minutes by letting the seasonal fruits' fresh flavors shine.
Chocolate protein powder and cacao powder give our shake two times the flavor – a rich dose of chocolate with a hint of mint.
Wow your family and friends with this devilishly good 250-calorie Molten Lava Cake.
Tea doesn't have to stay in your cup - Tosca Reno's biscotti use antioxidant-rich green tea as their star ingredient!
Turn your usual sweet potato pie into bite-size truffles, a totally rich and decadent treat that lets you flex your festive creativity!
Food Network's Private Chefs of Beverly Hills co-star Manouschka Guerrier shared a killer sweet potato ice cream recipe. Bonus: no ice cream maker needed!
These sweet potato brownies are a great way to pack more immune-boosting vitamin A into your day.
This intensely satisfying treat, infused with traditional Middle Eastern flavors, relies on dates for its sweetness — remember to use pit-in dates; they contain more moisture than their pitted counterparts.
This decadent recipe attracted an army of clean-eating enthusiasts - just look at the ooey-gooey buns you get for 145 calories! Freeze a batch for Sunday morning treats.
A warm and comforting dessert without the usual calorie count (just 156), and ready in just 35 minutes!
A generous swirl of creamy peanut butter adds an extra layer of decadence to these unbelievably clean brownies.