Sure, Valentine's Day is all about the splurging, especially when it comes to dessert. But if you don't have to load up on saturated fat and empty calories, why do it? Think sultry dark chocolate, sparkling jeweled fruits, and luscious—but lighter—versions of classic favorites like chocolate cake and cheesecake. We're smitten with these decadent healthy dessert recipes.
Pomegranate Cranberry Hearts
Description: No-bake and no-guilt. Cranberries and pomegranates lend a gorgeous natural scarlet hue to these heart-shaped treats from Spabettie—but the real clincher is that sesame cashew crust.
Baked Lavender Rose Donuts
Description: Let's not neglect breakfast! These fat-free, stevia-sweetened donuts from Healthy Slow Cooking will start Valentine's Day off right.
Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Mousse
Description: Made with silken tofu, this rich vegan mousse tastes just like its full-fat namesake.
Banana Nutella Cheesecake
Description: If your sweetheart is sweet on Nutella, this low-sugar dessert is where it's at. From the blog Because I Like Chocolate, this decadent-looking cheesecake is made with low-fat cream cheese and sits on an awesome two-ingredient banana-oat crust.
Dark Chocolate Coconut Pudding
Description: Who needs a heart-shaped box of chocolates when this velvety pudding's waiting? Coconut milk, cocoa powder, and maple syrup combine to make pure magic in this Paleo-friendly, vegan pudding from An Edible Mosaic.
Beet Chocolate Bundt Cake
Description: Red velvet, schmed schelvet. This rich, naturally-hued beet chocolate bundt cake from Always Order Dessert boasts two cups of the scarlet power veggie.
Orange Chocolate Cardamom Mousse in Orange Cups
Description: Lovers of orange + chocolate, this is the perfect dessert for you. This is another decadent mousse made with silken tofu—but no one will know it's dairy-free. Presented in orange cups, this one is especially special-occasion worthy.
Chocolate Coconut Flour Cake
Description: Low-cal, low-carb, high-fiber, and high-protein. Yes, we are describing this incredible chocolate cake from Nutrition Stripped. Chocolate lovers, rejoice—you can officially now have your cake and eat it too.
Strawberry Cashew Milk
Description: Innovative, delicious, and naturally pink! These pretty sippers from The Tomato Tart are made with raw, vegan cashew milk. Freeze-dried strawberries give it that rosy hue. What's not to love?
Sweet Potato Spiked Truffles
Description: Orange zest, Cointreau, and—yep—sweet potato puree fill these creative truffles from Ricki Heller. A creamy chocolate-covered treat filled with one of the healthiest root veggies around?! Love!
Pomegranate Mendiants
Description: Ruby-red pomegranates sparkle atop rich dark chocolate discs in these simple—and simply stunning—French candies from Taste, Love, and Nourish.
Strawberry Tiramisu Cheesecake Cups
Description: Mascarpone cheese, Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla form the cheesecake base in these rich (but healthy!) cups from Cupcakes and Kale Chips. Bonus: Individual serving sizes make for built-in portion control.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
Description: Fresh strawberries stuffed with raw, vegan cheesecake filling that tastes just like the real thing! Cacao nibs and a dusting of flaxseed and cinnamon complete these glorious—and healthy!—treats.
Anne|Craving Something Healthy says
LOVE this roundup! Such delicious and creative ideas 🙂
Kare Troughton says
Thanks, Anne!
Devonne says
So are all these vegan dessert
Kare Troughton says
Several of these desserts are vegan, yes - but not all.
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
I don't know how I STILL haven't made those vegan cheesecake stuffed straws! They totally stole my heart when you first posted them 🙂 Love this list!
Kare Troughton says
They've been on my must-make list for forever, too. 🙂
Kristina says
this is SO funny, I was up at 6am making those Pomegranate Cranberry Hearts to bring to friends today! this is a delicious collection, honored to be included!
Kare Troughton says
It's a Pomegranate Cranberry Heart kind of day! I am so in love with those - especially the heart shape, of course. 🙂
lori @ thehealthminded.com says
Wow-Great line-up just when I was looking for some healthy Val Day inspiration. Can I just say how lovely it is to navigate through your blog? So easy and quick. Great work. Will tweet this post to share!
Kare Troughton says
Hi Lori, so glad you liked it! 🙂
Meg @ Beard and Bonnet says
I will take one of everything please!! Thanks for including my "ice cream":)
Kare Troughton says
Of course! It's the most beautiful (and creative) banana ice cream I've seen! I was shocked when I saw it was banana based. Looks just like the real thing. 🙂
Julia says
I love this roundup! Nothing like delicious treats for VDay that are on the healthier end of the spectrum! I'm thinking I need to fashion up a few of these recipes and give them to my friends for VDay. Thanks so much for including my peanut butter brownie bites! They're certainly delicious!
Kare Troughton says
There are just so many incredible, creative recipes out there in the blogosphere - such an insanely talented pool of people out there. You included! 🙂 LOVE the looks of those things. My guy - total PB & chocolate fiend - would be all over them.
Grace @ Earthy Feast says
I'm in luuve with all these v-day desserts! Those stuffed strawberries are too cute!
Kare Troughton says
Aren't those great?! So creative.
Kathy Hester says
Thank you so much for including my donut recipe!
Kare Troughton says
Those are seriously the most gorgeous donuts I've seen! 🙂
Alison says
I LOVE recipe round-ups and as a veggie with a SERIOUS sweet tooth, this guilt-free recipe round-up is WONDERFUL!
I definitely will be making the Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream & the Pomegranate Cranberry Hearts.
Thanks for this!
Kare Troughton says
Those are two of my must-makes, also!
Kira - HealthAble Old Soul says
What great recipes (and ideas) for a Healthier indulgence day.
Kare Troughton says
Thanks, Kira! I agree - no reason to get crazy when these treats are *plenty* indulgent, really.
Angie (@angiesrecipess) says
What amazing V-day treats! I want to try every single one. Thanks for sharing, Kare, Kieresten.
Kare Troughton says
Me too. I guess if we down 15 desserts it probably negates the whole "healthy" thing, right? 😉 Hee hee.
Cara's Healthy Cravings says
They all look so good!
But I think I would make the dark chocolate coconut pudding...Mmmm!
Kare Troughton says
It just looks so utterly perfect, right?!
Joanne says
I'm currently thinking I should celebrate V-Day every day this month by making one of these. Because how can I choose just one?!
Kare Troughton says
You are brilliant!
Tiff says
Yum! So many great choices.
mjskit says
I definitely will take one of each! What a great collection!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
I'm drooling over here! I especially want to try the cherry vanilla ice cream and chocolate PB brownie bites. They both sound so delicious!
Kare Troughton says
It was big-time drool over here when I was putting this list together! 🙂
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
Oh, yay! A dessert post. Thank you! 😀
And this is a great roundup. I spent hours this morning looking for something healthier to make for Valentine's Day and everything was all red, sprinkly, and full of waaay too much sugar. Off to check these out! 🙂
Kare Troughton says
Yes! As I've cut way down on artificial food dyes over the past couple of years, I find that they're EVE-RY-WHERE. Especially when it comes to V-Day desserts. It's fun to find more natural ways to incorporate the hue (and when you can cut the sugar, too, all the better!)