Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Oct. 30, 2025

What if you could enjoy delicious, festive sweets that actually nourish your body? With a few simple ingredient swaps and creative recipes, you can create desserts that satisfy your sweet tooth while supporting your wellness journey. Natural sweeteners like maple syrup provide minerals and antioxidants that refined sugar lacks. Whole-grain flours offer fiber and nutrients, while ingredients like pumpkin and cranberries add seasonal flavors and vitamins. These healthier alternatives don't mean sacrificing taste; they often enhance the natural flavors of your desserts while providing nutritional benefits.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

These soft cookies combine fall spices with nutrient-rich pumpkin. The blend of alternative flours creates a gluten-free option that's both satisfying and nourishing.

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup of buckwheat flour

  • 1/3 cup of millet flour

  • 1/2 cup of sorghum flour

  • 1/2 cup of tapioca starch or potato flour

  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

  • 1 teaspoon of scant xanthan gum

  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of pureed fresh pumpkin or canned pumpkin

  • 3/4 cup of butter or coconut oil

  • 2 eggs

  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla

  • 1/2 cup of maple syrup

Add-Ins:

  • 1/2 cup of chopped pecans

  • 1/2 cup of dried cranberries

  • Whole pecans for topping

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Whisk dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the wet ingredients until well combined, then add them to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

  3. Roll cookies into small balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.

  4. Press one whole pecan on top of each cookie.

  5. Bake for 10 to 20 minutes or until cookies are just set. Avoid over-baking to prevent dryness.

Cranberry Almond Tartlets

These beautiful tartlets showcase tart cranberries balanced with creamy almond filling. The crust uses rolled oats and almonds for a nutty base that's naturally gluten-free.

Crust:

  • 3/4 cup of rolled oats

  • 3/4 cup of whole toasted almonds

  • 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt

  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of oat flour

  • 6 tablespoons of brown rice flour

  • 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil

  • 6 tablespoons of maple syrup

  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Filling:

  • 3/4 cup of whole toasted almonds

  • 1/3 cup of maple syrup

  • 1 tablespoon of agar flakes

  • Pinch of sea salt

  • 2 teaspoons of arrowroot

  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Topping:

  • 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries

  • 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice

  • 3 tablespoons of maple syrup

  • Pinch of cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon of arrowroot

Instructions:

  1. Process the rolled oats, almonds, and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the oat flour and brown rice flour. Mix in the coconut oil, then add the maple syrup and vanilla. The dough will be wet. Cover and set aside for 30 to 60 minutes.

  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil the tartlet pans, then press the dough evenly into each. Prick the bottoms with a fork, place on a baking sheet, and bake for 20 to 22 minutes.

  3. Blend 2 1/2 cups of water and almonds until smooth. Strain the almond milk into a pot. Add maple syrup, agar flakes, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Mix the arrowroot with 1 tablespoon of water, then drizzle it into the simmering liquid. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla.

  4. Remove crusts from pans. Pour 1/4 cup of warm filling into each shell. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

  5. For the topping, boil cranberries with orange juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Mix arrowroot with 2 teaspoons of water and add to the cranberry mixture. Remove from heat once it simmers. Let cool, then top each tartlet and serve.

These two healthier dessert options prove you don't have to choose between enjoying holiday treats and maintaining your wellness. Both recipes offer natural sweetness, whole-food ingredients, and satisfying textures that will delight your guests while supporting your health goals.

If you have questions about maintaining a healthy diet throughout the holidays, contact New York Health to speak with our team of specialists.

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