Low-Carb Thanksgiving Desserts

You'll never crave a store-brand peanut butter and chocolate candy again with these homemade truffles. Made with almond butter and melted dark chocolate, you can add any toppings you like such as coconut, chopped nuts, cocoa powder, or dried fruit. Make a bunch of these to save in your fridge as a quick, sweet snack that won't make you crash later thanks to 8g of protein, 5.1g fiber, and little added sugar thanks to unsalted almonds, almond butter, and dark chocolate cacao.

We love these thick, satisfying cookies as humble as peanut butter cookies but not as crumbly. Dried cranberries provide a slightly tart counterpoint to the macadamia nuts' richness. The dough is somewhat sticky; chilling it briefly makes handling easier. Swap in dried cherries, strawberries, or blueberries for the cranberries to suit your taste. They may look like old-fashioned peanut butter cookies, even down to the crosshatch pattern pressed in with a fork, but these treats are completely unique.

Enjoy this spread as an appetizer or dessert. Nuts and cheese pack in the protein while the fruit and chocolate add just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy your cravings. Not only does this cheese board pack in protein, there is more than 390mg of calcium per serving thanks to the cheese, almonds, and chocolate. Guests will love this lighter alternative to traditional Thanksgiving desserts. With 10 servings per cheese board, there's plenty for friends and family, but the recipe is easy to double if you need more.

A blend between frozen yogurt and ice cream, "nice" cream is the easiest and healthiest way to satisfy your sweet tooth. There's nothing better than the salty and sweet combination of nuts and chocolate. We've elevated this classic combo with creamy almond butter and high quality cocoa powder for 5.84g of protein, 5.32g fiber, and just 13.71g of sugar. Guests will love the taste of this alternative to traditional ice cream, and you'll love how quick and easy it is to make.

We’re kind of obsessed with spiralizing, so naturally we had to give it a try with apples. The result? A perfectly twirlable treat. Top with Greek yogurt and homemade granola, and you have a sweet little snack, size, or dessert for less than 150 calories per serving. With just 10.5g of carbs and 33mg sodium, you can indulge in this seasonal treat sans guilt. For more low-carb options, see 10 Smart Diabetic Swaps for the Holidays.

Who doesn't love scraping cookie dough out of the bowl? Dairy-free, egg-free, and no-bake, this recipe can be enjoyed straight from the mixing bowl or frozen into cookie dough balls or bars. Even better, using blended chickpeas mixed with almond butter and sweetened with honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and dark chocolate chips keeps calories, fat, sodium, and sugar low while boosting protein and fiber. For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle them with melted chocolate and sprinkle flaked sea salt on top.

Acting as a blank canvas, this Greek yogurt bark can take on any flavor profiles you prefer. We chose strawberries, cacao nibs, hazelnuts, shredded coconut, and dried cherries. Make this ahead of time and always have it in your freezer for a fast, protein-packed snack, grab-and-go breakfast, or late-night treat. Simply mix yogurt, honey and vanilla extract. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle desired toppings and freeze for at least an hour.

The typical brownie has nearly 20g sugar—masking the flavor of the chocolate in an overwhelming wave of sweetness as well as fat, calories, and sugar. Here we cut sugar in half for a richer, denser brownie that truly satisfies, so you can enjoy the decadent flavors of Thanksgiving day without all the fat and calories. In a little less than an hour, you can whip up these fudgy bittersweet brownies that contain just 8.5g of fat, 131 calories, 8g of sugar, and 68mg sodium.

Classic lemon squares can contain 36g sugar per piece. We put a puckery cheesecake spin on ours—cutting sugar to just 6g per bar—which allows the bright citrus to shine. One of our reviewers describes these as "surprisingly decadent." We completely agree. Consider making these the night before the big day. They only require 25 minutes of prep but need at least 3 hours to chill. Be sure to coat the pan with cooking spray so they'll easily lift out of the pan.

Who says desserts have to be heavy and sugar-laden? Meet your new granola, which has two-thirds less sugar than most store-bought varieties. Pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and quinoa lend 4g of protein, while honey and ground cinnamon add a touch of sweetness. We like it with a little extra kick, but knock the red pepper back for less heat. Stir into yogurt or sprinkle over fresh fruit for an unexpected—and unexpectedly delicious—end to the big feast.