10 Healthy Sweets That Are Better Than Christmas Cookies

After years of baking Christmas cookies and indulging in several cups of hot cocoa, trying healthy and festive alternatives could make your holidays a bit brighter. Whether it be swapping unhealthy ingredients with healthy ingredients or trying a different type of cookie entirely, these sweets will keep you in the holiday mood without causing you to let go of your healthy habits

This is a fabulous dessert, with no added oil or refined sugar. The sweetness of dates and banana combine into a pudding consistency with avocados. Serve it with fresh berries for a healthy touch!

For the Avocado Chocolate Pudding recipe, click here.

If you want to reduce the amount of sugar and butter that you typically use in your cookie baking, this recipe will check all the right boxes. Using ripe banana, you will add sweetness and flavor without the extra fat and calories.

For the Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, click here.

Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, with a whopping 15 grams of protein per cup. They also happen to be a rich source of dietary fiber, which can help control your blood sugar levels and slow down digestion. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and can be used as a dip or on its own. You can actually enjoy eating the cookie dough without the guilt!

For the Chickpea Cookie Dough recipe, click here.

With only five ingredients, this chocolate treat is a clean and healthy option. Keep the serving size to one or two clusters or you'll be falling into a chocolate coma.

For the Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters recipe, click here.

If you've never tried zucchini bread, now is a good time to start. You can enjoy this bread pudding without guilt with the knowledge that it contains vegetables. Make this recipe dairy-free by using almond or coconut milk instead of regular milk.

Click here for the Chocolate Zucchini Bread Pudding recipe.

Fruit is always a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. This recipe is inspired by apple pie, with all the spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and ghee, and the warmth of delicious sweet apples. This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, which makes it perfect for after dinner treat or even a breakfast substitute.

For the Ayurvedic Cooked Apples for Breakfast recipe, click here.

Celebrate Christmas with a healthier take on holiday cookies. Dried cranberries give these festive pumpkin cookies a nice zing and fruitiness. Pack these along with your brown-bag lunch for a little something special.

For the Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies recipe, click here.

Skip the refined flour and use whole-grain oats, shredded coconut, bananas, and ground almonds for a healthy and hearty cookie. This recipe is healthy enough to have as a snack or even for breakfast instead of your morning oatmeal!

For the Healthy Cookies recipe, click here.

With dietary restrictions and food allergies, finding a dessert recipe that will fit everyone's needs can be very difficult. This chocolate cake is creamy and delicious and made without flour, so it is paleo-friendly and gluten-free.

For the Paleo Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe, click here.

Adding mashed banana to this cupcake batter not only gives it one of the essential banana split flavors, but also works as a great substitute for eggs, helping to give the cupcakes structure as they bake. After you bake and cool the vegan cupcakes, top them with a fluffy mock-buttercream frosting. 

For the Vegan Banana Split Cupcake recipe, click here.