10 Healthy Desserts to Inspire a Healthy and Happy 2013

Who doesn't like dessert?

I imagine a rather small amount of people would answer yes to that question.  But, tell me, what about this one:

Who doesn't eat dessert often?

I'm willing to bet that the number of people answering yes has gone way up.  

Many people rarely indulge in dessert because they fear it will ruin their diet, make them feel guily, and/or cause them to overeat and get a stomachache.  But that's not always the case.  Sure, a bakery dessert can make those things happen, but there are also much healthier options that don't sacrifice taste in the slightest, and won't ruin your healthy eating goals.

Today, in honor of the upcoming new year, and any healthy eating resolutions you may have set for yourself, I'll be sharing 10 healthy dessert recipes.  These desserts are good for you and good tasting.  It's my hope that they will help lead you to the happiest and healthiest 2013 possible.  Because no one should ever miss out on dessert.

Double Decker Chocolate Cake - This is the ultimate doesn't seem healthy dessert.  It looks, tastes, and feels incredibly indulgent, and yet it's just the opposite.  The full nutrition facts are listed on the post, but for now I'll telll you that per slice there are under 200 calories and 8 grams protein.

Gingerbread Cake - perhaps the season for gingerbread has passed, but it's never too late for healthy desserts... especially when they contain a secret ingredient.  Don't worry, you can't taste it at all!

Cookie Butter Cups - Unlike Reese's, these Chocolate Cookie Butter Cups are made entirely from ingredients you can pronounce.  Plus, the filling is simply to die for.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Yogurt Filling - Pumpkin's great any time of the year, and it's even better when formed into a cute little whoopie pie.  Pair it with some creamy high protein filling and you've got yourself a fat-free winner!

Crazy Ingredient Brownies - Oh look, more secret ingredients!  These little guys have 2 strange foods hidden inside.  Despite that though, everything comes together to form a deliciously fudgy brownie that would be perfect to serve to anyone, healthy eaters and junk food addicts alike.

Peach Blueberry Crumble - This is meant to be breakfast, but it's so darn tasty it could easily pass for dessert.  The sweetness of the peaches matches beautifully with slight tartness of the berries and the crunch of the oatmeal topping.  I bet it could be made with frozen fruit too, for a delicious treat any time of the year.

Apple Greek Yogurt Cheesecake - Cheesecake fans you're in luck!  This healthier take on cheesecake is made with greek yogurt and apples for a high protein substitute for the classic dessert.  It won't leave you with a tummyache either.

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins - These muffins taste like cinnamon rolls!  They're much healthier, however, with no added fat and only 1/2 cup sugar in the whole recipe.  They're also vegan, so you can share them with anyone, despite their food preferences.

Protein Vanilla Milkshake - Why yes, a milkshake can be healthy.  This one's made from cottage cheese, almond milk, and banana, and frozen overnight for the perfect creamy texture.  Oh, and it's under 200 calories for the whole thing!

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats - This recipe switches out the butter in a classic rice crispy recipe for, in my opinion, something even better.  Peanut butter!  It also skips the marshmallow so it's a vegan treat.

That's all for now.

Please give at least one of these recipes a try.  They're all amazing and will jumpstart the new year in the best way possible.  Remember, a you eating one of the above desserts is a happy and healthy you.

Happy New Year everyone!