Add these diabetic-friendly desserts—cookies, cakes, bars, pies and more recipes—to your holiday treat table for sweet ideas all of your guests will be able to enjoy.
47 of the Best Diabetic Holiday Dessert Recipes
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Sparkly Meringue Snowmen
For my son’s first Christmas home from Iraq, I wanted everything to feel magical. He loves meringue cookies, so I made a big batch of minty snowmen and snowflakes. —Patricia Lindsay, Independence, KansasKeep your desserts simple and low in sugar. Check out these easy diabetic dessert recipes for more inspiration.
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Gingerbread Meringue Bars
For the best of both worlds, I combined my grandmother's gingerbread recipe with my aunt's special brown sugar meringue. The result? These lovable holiday-perfect bars that have become a new family tradition. —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles, California
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Almond Espresso Bars
If you like coffee, you'll love these mocha morsels dressed up with toasted almonds. Save a few bars for afternoon snacktime or even breakfast, too. —Taire Van Scoy, Brunswick, Maryland
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Citrus Gingerbread Cookies
Orange and lemon zest give gingerbread cutouts a refreshing twist. Brushing a honey glaze over the top adds a subtle shine and an extra touch of sweetness. —Monique Hooker, DeSoto, Wisconsin
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Holiday Meringue Miniatures
My kids love these light melt-in-your-mouth cookies, and we have fun making them. These were always on our Christmas cookie plate when I was a kid, and now the tradition continues. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Gluten-Free Fig Cookies
These special cookies definitely don’t taste gluten-free. For added appeal, I soak the figs overnight in a mixture of port and pomegranate juice. Twinkle30 - Tasteofhome.com community
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Mocha Meringue Sandwich Cookies
These crisp, chewy cookies can be made any size you choose. They're also great with a variety of fillings—try making them with fruit preserves. —Marie Valdes, Brandon, FL
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Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding
Nothing says the holidays to me more than the warming spices of chai. This bread pudding incorporates those flavors to make a dessert that everyone raves about. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California
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Homemade Honey Grahams
The way my boys eat them, I would spend a fortune on honey graham crackers at the grocery store. So I decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive. These are wonderful, although they still don't last long. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
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Dutch Apple Pie Tartlets
These adorable mini apple pie pastries make a delightful addition to a dessert buffet or snack tray. The recipe calls for convenient frozen phyllo shells, so they're surprisingly easy to prepare. The lemon curd filling adds a unique flavor twist. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
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Pumpkin Snack Cake
The crunchy, sweet topping makes this simple pumpkin snack cake taste extra special. If you prefer a sweeter cake, omit the topping and spread with your favorite frosting instead. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Chipotle Crackle Cookies
I usually bake these special cookies for the holidays, but my family loves them so I bake them for their birthdays. The addition of ground chipotle chile pepper gives these cookies a little zing. The dough may be sticky, so I dip my hands in confectioners' sugar for easier handling. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
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Must-Have Tiramisu
This is the perfect guilt-free version of a classic dessert. My friends even say that they prefer my lighter recipe over other tiramisu.—Ale Gambini, Beverly Hills, California
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Pumpkin Pecan Custard
My family loves pumpkin pie flavor, but this is a delicious, creamy, healthier alternative—and we don’t miss the crust at all. It firms up as it cools. —Abby Booth, Coweta, Oklahoma
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Almond Blondies
These make a nice change from the typical chocolate brownie. When I bake up a batch, they disappear quickly at my house. —Cindy Pruitt, Grove, Oklahoma
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Air-Fryer Apple Fritters
A lighter take on the classic treat, these air fryer apple fritters feature tender bites of apple encased in a fluffy, cinnamon-spiced dough.
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Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Enjoy this holiday dessert without worrying about calories. Plus it is so luscious that no one will guess that it is light! —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
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Gluten-Free Almond Crispies
Here’s a wonderful treat everyone in the family can enjoy. Ideal with milk or tea, these cookies have cinnamon and maple in every crunchy bite. —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
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Grossmutter's Peppernuts
Before Christmas, my grandmother would bake peppernuts and store them until the big day. When we came home from school, the whole house would smell like anise and we knew the holiday season was about to begin. —Marilyn Kutzli, Clinton, Iowa
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Molasses Crinkle Cookies
If you love desserts with warm and comforting spices, try these molasses crinkle cookies. They're crispy on the outside, chewy in the center and packed with irresistible flavors.
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Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake
You’ll fall in love with this sweet treat. Each silky slice is topped with juicy raspberries. Yes, you can have cheesecake without breaking the calorie budget. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Makeover Cream Cheese Streusel Bars
With an oh-so-chocolaty crust, a crispy, crunchy topping and soft cream cheese filling, these delectable bars are over-the-top indulgent. —Janet Coops, Duarte, California
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Peppermint Meringue Cookies
These peppermint meringue cookies sing of Christmas cheer with their festive flavor and snowy hue. With just five ingredients and four simple steps, you’re on your way to Christmas cookies that you’ll look forward to every year.
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No-Guilt Brownies
Yes, you can watch your diet and enjoy treats, too! These healthy brownies are the perfect cure for a serious chocolate craving. —Rita Ross, Delta, Ohio
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Gluten-Free Almond Cookies
My friend loved these gluten-free almond cookies so much, she had to ask for the recipe! Quick and easy, they taste as good as the decadent treats I make using puff pastry and almond paste. Everyone loves them! —Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
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Swedish Apple Pie
This decadent Swedish apple pie serves up homemade flavor in every bite. This is a perfect snack with coffee or as an after-dinner treat. —Sarah Klier, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Cinnamon Nut Bars
Classic bar meets good-for-you ingredients in this updated recipe. If you have the patience, after the bars are cool, store them in a tin for a day to allow the flavors to meld...I think they taste even better the next day.— Heidi Lindsey, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
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Triple-Ginger Gingersnaps
These crunchy treats feature fresh, ground and crystallized ginger, making them a bit more special than the traditional cookie. They are always a hit around the holidays. —Jessica Follen, Waunakee, Wisconsin
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Soft Honey Cookies
These pillowy honey cookies pair perfectly with an afternoon cup of coffee or tea.
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Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes
A delightful coconut and ricotta cheese filling is hidden inside these chocolate cupcakes. —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania
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Pumpkin Seed Cranberry Biscotti
Hints of pumpkin seed and almond give this biscotti recipe a wonderful flavor that's just right for fall. Try one with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa! —Nancy Renner, Eugene, Oregon
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No-Bake Apple Pie
We always have an abundance of apples in the fall, so I like to make this easy pie. My husband has diabetes, and this recipe fits into his diet ... but everyone enjoys it. —Shirley Vredenburg, Ossineke, Michigan
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Carrot Cookie Bites
This recipe is a longtime family favorite. The cookies are soft and delicious, and the aroma while baking is absolutely irresistible! I'm always being asked for the recipe. —Jeanie Petrik, Greensburg, Kentucky
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Apple-Spice Angel Food Cake
I dressed up an angel food cake mix with some nuts, spice and applesauce to make an easy and light dessert. I serve it with a dollop of whipped topping mixed with a half cup of sour cream. —Joan Buehnerkemper, Teutopolis, Illinois
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Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
I'm a chocolate lover, and these cream cheese brownies have satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can't be beat. My family requests them often, and I'm happy to oblige. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming
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Better-Than-Fruitcake Cookies
Mostly fruit and nuts, these sweet and chewy clusters make excellent gifts, freeze well, can be shipped easily, and most importantly, live up to their name. —Lillian Charves, New Bern, North Carolina
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Coconut Macaroons
These crunchy, golden and chewy coconut macaroons are ideal for their simplicity and texture, and you can have this treat on the table in 30 minutes or less.
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Black Bean Brownies
Black bean brownies are naturally high in protein and fiber, but this recipe ensures chocolaty goodness too. If you're avoiding dairy and gluten, give these a try, but be warned: It's nearly impossible to eat just one.
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Meringue Cookies
These sweet little swirls are light as can be. They're all you need after a big, special dinner. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday get-togethers.
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Angel Food Cake
This top-rated angel food cake recipe is a light and airy dessert everyone loves. It's heavenly served with berries or other fresh fruit and a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
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Apple Pie Bites
These apple pie bites are fun for kids to make. Simply wrap strips of pastry around apple wedges and shake on some cinnamon-sugar. Then just bake and watch them disappear! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Swirled Mint Cookies
No one will believe that these rich and buttery cookies are light, but they are! With their colorful swirls, each one of these minty, sugary bites has its own look. —Lois Hill, Thomasville, North Carolina
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First-Place Coconut Macaroons
These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
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Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
These warm, gooey, indulgent banana chocolate chip cookies can be made in just 35 minutes. Bake a batch of three dozen to nosh on all week long.Also check out these diabetes-friendly desserts you can buy on Amazon.