Valentine’s Day is all about spoiling your loved ones (and yourself!) with special indulgences that honor your relationship and demonstrate your devotion. But that doesn’t have to mean loading up their plates with cloyingly sweet desserts that will overwhelm their taste buds, clog their arteries, and tighten their pants. Instead, serve a lightened-up version of dessert that still tastes every bit as indulgent… without the regret.
These healthy Valentine treats are packed with flavor, conceal hidden nutrition, and make stunning presentations from breakfast and brunch clear through to dessert. Think smoothies, frozen treats, meringues, bars, cookies, and more. These recipes include berries, beets, melons — and even edible flowers — lending colorful and distinctive visual appeal just right for the holiday.
Watermelon and Berry Dessert Pizza
This fruity “pizza” makes a sweet treat that’s as easy to create as it is visually appealing. Keep your fruit toppings to just red and pink varieties for an even more holiday-ish presentation.
To make, just top a round of watermelon with whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries or raspberries, then slice into pizza-shaped pieces.
Strawberry-Oatmeal Cookies
These vibrant cookies pack some antioxidants into each bite, due to the key ingredient of matcha, a.k.a green tea powder.
We can’t get enough of this classic flavor pairing. These mini muffins give you the perfect amount of healthy fats, whole grain, and a little drizzle of jelly for something sweet.
Dark Chocolate Popcorn Clusters
With only 113 calories per cup, this heart-healthy recipe makes for the perfect snack.
To make, melt ½ cup dark chocolate chips in the microwave, then stir in ½ tsp ground cinnamon + a pinch Kosher salt. In a large bowl, toss 8 cups air-popped popcorn + the melted chocolate to coat, then toss with ¼ cup toasted slivered almonds. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Break into clusters.
Cinnamon Popcorn
Sprinkle 2 Tsp ground cinnamon on four cups of air-popped popcorn for a low-calorie sweet treat.
Frozen Tropical Fruit Kebabs
These kebabs, made of frozen mango and pineapple drizzled with white chocolate, make for one sweet treat.
Chocolate–Pistachio Orange Slices
This simple yet decadent three-ingredient dessert is guaranteed to impress your Valentine.
Blueberry Compote
This vibrant blueberry compote makes a dreamy holiday topping on yogurt, frozen yogurt, or lightened-up ice cream for a healthier spin on brunch or dessert.
Berry Beet Smoothie
Treat yourself and your sweetheart to loads of antioxidants all wrapped up in a stunning pink package for Valentine’s Day. This recipe gets its vibrant hue from cooked beets and frozen berries.
Ingredients (serves 2): 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt, 1 tsp honey, 1 cup mixed frozen berries, 1 cup freshly cooked beets, 3 to 5 ice cubes
Spiced Banana-Chocolate Muffins
For those who enjoy something sweet to start off their day, these spiced banana-chocolate muffins will keep you energized all day long by using a heavy mixture of banana, ginger, and chia seeds.
Chocolate Covered Watermelon
These tasty watermelon slices are easy to make — and even easier to eat.
Fudgy Paleo Brownies
Chocolate is always a good idea in our minds, but with this recipe, it actually is! The recipe swaps out traditional ingredients for things like almond flour, coconut sugar, honey, almond butter, and olive oil to cut down on starchy carbs and healthier fats. Don’t forget the sea salt on top!
Strawberry-Yogurt Swirl Pops
Strawberries and vanilla yogurt pack these pretty and delicious frozen pops, each of which has just about 100 calories for a nutrition-packed and guilt-free holiday treat.
Reference: Womans Day
Written by: Omojo Emeje
