Best Light Dessert Recipes - Spa Index Guide to Spas

Blueberry Oat Crumble – Ranch Malibu

This delicious treat features ripe blueberries with a coconut sugar oat crumble topping, packed with Vitamin C and fiber

Cinnamon Apples with Toasted Walnuts and Maple Greek Yogurt

Like a warm apple crisp, but it takes only five minutes to prepare, making this recipe an easy pre-bed treat.

Lemon Coconut Bars – Ranch Malibu

This healthy version of Lemon Coconut Bars is loaded in Vitamin C to boost your immune system, promote glowing skin, and improve digestion and gut health. It also offers a boost to your brain and heart.

Thai Candied Pumpkin Seeds – Hilton Head Health

Pumpkin Seeds with a sweet, spicy and salty glaze, baked crunchy, make an addictive treat, a nice topping to frozen yogurt, and an outstanding salad topper.

Pritikin Maple Butterscotch Pudding

Creamy, smooth, delicious, and low fat! Try Pritikin’s guest-favorite recipe for Maple Butterscotch Pudding

Healthier Homemade Ice Cream and Sorbet Recipes

These DIY ice cream and sorbet recipes are invigorating, light, and chock-full of bone-healthy calcium or vitamin rich fruits.

Low Fat Chocolate Orange Mousse

This Lake Austin Spa guest favorite dessert is elegant, easy, low-fat, and delicious.

Low Fat Sweet Potato Pie

This guest favorite southern dessert is easy, low-fat, nutritious, and delicious.

Almond Pulp Date Macaroons

If you routinely make almond milk, you’ll want to save the pulp to make these tasty Almond Pulp Date Macaroons

Pritikin Mango Compote

Many traditional compotes are sickly sweet and packed with calories. Not this always-popular Mango Compote from the Pritikin Health Resort

Golden Door Apricot Souffle

A light and airy dessert made with dried apricot puree instead of heavy yolks and cream. Tart, flavorful, and only 125 calories per serving.

Pumpkin Brownies – Ranch Malibu

The Ranch Malibu serves Pumpkin Brownies by using pureed pumpkin or sweet potatoes as a nutritious and moist base, with almond flour, maple syrup, and chocolate chips.

Gluten Free Vegan Maple Butter Tarts

These Gluten-Free Vegan Maple “Butter” Tarts are a guest favorite at the Sugar Ridge Retreat Center, a yoga retreat in Ontario, Canada.

Jack Daniels Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes – Hilton Head Health

Chocolate, Cream Cheese and Jack Daniels are given a makeover for this classic American “Black Bottom Cupcake” dessert

Low Fat Apple Strudel – Golden Door Spa

Chef Michel Stroot created this classic dessert recipe for Golden Door Spa in California. Crispy, flaky, and fruity — and low fat.

Chocolate Fudge Avocado Cake

This unique, dense, chocolate and avocado dessert is grain free with no refined sugar and added healthy fats.

Pritikin Whole Wheat Bread Pudding

Pritikin Whole Wheat Bread Pudding is wonderful warm, cold, and even left over for a breakfast treat.

Blueberry Banana Fat Free Ice Cream

This Blueberry Banana Fat Free Ice Cream by Skyterra Wellness Retreat in North Carolina is very tasty, easy to make, low cost, freezes and keeps well, and it’s a great way to use seasonal fruits and berries.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble – Hilton Head Health

This is a great dessert in the summer months, and uses less sugar than traditional recipes.

Matcha Coconut Chia Pudding- Kaiser Thrive

Matcha, Coconut Milk and Chia seeds to make a lightly sweetened and creamy pudding which is great for breakfast, after work or school, or dessert.

Carrot Cake Donuts with Lemon Cashew Icing – Ranch Malibu

Serve these sweet and tart little donuts for breakfast, dessert, or a coffee break. Naturally gluten free and vegan.

Gluten-Free Raspberry Carob Brownies

A dark and rich gluten-free brownie made with carob powder for its fiber benefits, chopped nuts, and tart and sweet raspberries.

Pritikin Garbanzo Chocolate Cookies and Brownies

Pritikin Garbanzo Chocolate Cookies and Brownies were met with guest applause at Valentine’s Day this year, but this is a low-calorie sweet treat for any time of year.

Low Calorie Rice Pudding

The Spa at Palm-Aire Weight Loss Program focused on low-fat, low-sugar and low-cholesterol cuisine, including this sweet Rice Pudding

Lemon Almond Breakfast Cookies

Lemon Almond Breakfast Cookies store well, travel well, and are better than an additive-filled “snack bar” for sure!

Cherry Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark

Use your favorite nutritious nuts, fruits and seeds with melted dark chocolate for this simple treat.

Strawberry Chiffon – Pritikin Recipes

This recipe for Strawberry Chiffon is a light and airy mousse with fresh berries and yogurt and just 90 calories per serving.

Lighten Up the Holiday Cookie Swap

Lighten Up the Holiday Cookie Swap! We’ve got a batch of recipes for lighter cookies and treats perfect for holiday gift giving or setting a lighter holiday table.

Low Fat – Low Sugar – Pumpkin Apple Cider Cake

Pumpkin Apple Cider Cake is a light, tasty and easy cake to bake up for your Autumnal brunch. It starts with a low-fat pumpkin cake and is topped with a low-sugar broiled topping. Wonderful for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet afternoon snack.

Pritikin Lemon Pineapple Meringue Pie

Pritikin kicks up the flavor in this traditional dessert with the addition of sweet pineapple bits and a crumb crust.

Gluten Free Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

This is a tasty Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake created by the chefs at Utah’s Red Mountain Spa. It uses Cup4Cup brand gluten free flour, fresh or frozen blueberries, and tangy lemon, to create a simple dessert, or a sweet breakfast treat.

Pritikin Better For You Ice Cream Cake

This Better For You Ice Cream Cake recipe is the brainchild of the award-winning chefs at the Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami. For 40 years, the renowned health resort has helped tens of thousands worldwide adopt healthy lifestyle habits that dramatically reduce...

Pritikin Raspberry Mango Sorbet

Craving ice cream but don’t want to mess up your weight? This guilt-free all-fruit Raspberry Mango Sorbet is a guest favorite frozen treat at the Pritikin health resort in Miami, but you can whip it up yourself at home! Print Pin 5 from 5 votes Pritikin...

Pritikin Banana Ginger Parfait

This healthy recipe for Pritikin Banana Ginger Parfait is nutritious, very low calorie and so easy to make.

Skyterra Strawberry Hibiscus Pie

This recipe for Strawberry Hibiscus Pie isn’t a cheesecake, but its cool, rich texture will remind you of one.

Chocolate Souffle – Hilton Head Health

This lighter version of a favorite treat lets you enjoy a Chocolate Souffle for a special occasion.

Pritikin Banana Ricotta Ice Cream

This Banana Ricotta Ice Cream features ricotta cheese and tasty spices for a creamy, delicious and recommended swap for high fat ice cream.

Miraval Mai Tai Sorbet

This tart, sweet and tropical Mai Tai Sorbet was created at Miraval Resort in Arizona. It has Dark Rum in it, but you can omit this and still have a very refreshing dessert.

Golden Door Spa ANZAC Biscuits

Anzac Biscuits are cookie or chewy bars, made popular in Australia and New Zealand. This is slimmer alternative to a favorite cookie.

Vegan Lemon Cookies – Skyterra Recipe

These Vegan Lemon Cookies from Skyterra Wellness Retreat in North Carolina are a satisfying treat for anyone with a desire to consume fewer animal products. Pairs well with dairy-free “nice cream” for a vegan ice cream sandwich.

Raspberry Crunch Yogurt Sundae

This Raspberry Crunch Yogurt Sundae looks and tastes amazing, layered with 6 different toppings, crunchy and bursting with flavour. It’s great for breakfast OR a dessert.

Cheery Coco Chia Parfait

This little pot of tasty goodness consists of chia seeds soaked over night in coconut water with a splash of rose water. It’s topped with coconut cream whipped together with Greek yogurt and topped with cashews and desiccated coconut.

Blood Orange Cake – Recipe by Rancho La Puerta Spa

Imbued with the fresh zest of blood oranges and the tangy taste and moisture of yogurt, this beauty of a Blood Orange Cake recipe will bring sunshine to your life.

Low Fat Chocolate Chip Cheesecake – Hilton Head Health

Hilton Head Health Chef Karla’s Low Fat Chocolate Chip Cheesecake recipe is not only delicious but it won’t leave you feeling guilty the next day.

No Bake Oatmeal Cookies

These no bake cookies are made easily, and quickly in the microwave, combining oatmeal, peanut butter and cocoa. We tried this recipe, courtesy of Conagra Brands, with both sugar and Splenda Baking Blend®, to save on additional calories.

Chocolate Almond Meringue Cookies

Meringue Cookies are fun to make with children and for cookie trays because they are fairly easy and attractive to look at. Only patience is required, letting the cookies “bake” in a passive pre-heated oven, with the door closed, as the temperature cools over night. The appeal is the crispy chewy texture and the low-fat calories.

Canyon Ranch Spa Low Fat Chocolate Pudding

A rich, thick and creamy low fat chocolate pudding by Canyon Ranch Spa, just under 150 calories.

Skyterra Pumpkin Trifle

A light and delicious Pumpkin Trifle dessert with that well-loved pie flavor. Spiced pumpkin puree tastes divine layered with coconut whipped cream and topped with candied pecans.

Copycat Almondina Cookies – Mandelbread

Whatever the name — Almondina, Mandelbread or Mandelbrot, Almond and Fruit Thins, everyone seems to enjoy the lower-calorie, low-fat and addictive nature of this nutty and fruit studded treat. Here’s a simple version, ready to be studded with your favorite dried fruits and nuts.

Red Mountain Spa Pumpkin Mousse

Did you know that the majority of fat and calories in a slice of pumpkin pie actually comes from the crust? If this holiday treat is one of your favorites, cut the calorie count down a few notches by whipping up this flavorful, velvety, light and airy Pumpkin Mousse.

Chocolate Orange Zucchini Cake

This recipe for Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Orange Glaze uses up summer bounty of squash. Don’t limit yourself to this treat in the warmer months, however. It can be enjoyed at the holiday table as well.

Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Looking to serve your guests a sweet treat this holiday season? Give our Pumpkin Crème Brulée a try! Hockley Valley Resort in Ontario serves this guest-favorite treat in its restaurant.

Biggest Loser Pumpkin Creme Brulee

This healthy and delicious holiday Pumpkin Crème Brulee recipe is courtesy of Executive Chef Cameron Payne of Biggest Loser Resort.

100 Calorie Berry Tortilla Fruit Nachos

A 100-calorie fruit dessert nacho recipe made with juicy fresh berries topped with creamy topping and sweetened crisp tortilla strips.

Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal Recipe

We love double-duty recipes. This healthy and Pritikin-Approved Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal can be served for breakfast or dessert.

Pritikin Mixed Berry Parfait – 100 Calorie Dessert

For a simple and absolutely delicious dessert, serve this Mixed Berry Parfait. Your dinner guests will be shocked when they hear it’s just 100 calories per serving.

Sugar Free Watermelon Raspberry Popsicles

A simple and sweet fruity Popsicle for those warm months — with fresh watermelon and raspberries, lemon juice, honey and sweetener.

Sugar Free Watermelon Lemonade Sorbet

Pucker up! This Sugar Free Watermelon Lemonade Sorbet is a cinch to make, is so refreshing, colorful, and is very low calorie. Thanks to Rebecca Rather, the Texas pastry chef, and Splenda.

Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

This ice cream has all the flavors of classic Key lime pie–even the crust. We used bottled Key lime juice for convenience. You can also squeeze the juice from fresh Key limes.

Fat Free Peach Ice Cream

Fat Free Peach Ice Cream features a summer treat — fresh fruit. Using calorie-free sweetener and fat-free milk cuts calories, without cutting any of the sweet taste. Plus, the almond extract adds a nutty flavor that goes perfectly with the tangy peaches. It’s great served alone, or with an almond biscotti.

Fruity Spa Popsicles

Taking a cue from nature, Lake Austin Spa has perfected these recipes for healthy spa popsicles to include summertime ingredients of fresh herbs, yogurt, fruit, coffee and avocados. They are simple to make and free of high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and dyes that are typically found in store bought varieties.

Sugar Free Blackberry Granita

This Sugar Free Blackberry Granita is just 50 calories, beautiful, fast and easy to make, and an elegant finish to nice meal.

Sugar Free Frozen Hot Chocolate

Fast and easy, no Popsicle molds needed. You’ll be eating this sugar free frozen chocolate dessert in no time.

Sugar Free Frozen Chocolate Yogurt Pops

No Ice Cream Truck Needed! This recipe for Sugar Free Frozen Chocolate Yogurt Pops is fast, easy, and appeals to Moms, Dads, Teens and Kids. You just need hot cocoa mix and good quality yogurt.is

Low Fat Lemon Buttermilk Ice Cream

Lemon Buttermilk Ice Cream — five simple ingredients never tasted so good! Combining fresh lemon juice with sugar adds just enough citrus flavor without making the dessert too tart. The recipe uses fat-free buttermilk mixed with whole milk to get a creamy texture, without all the added fat

Light Buttermilk Pear Cobbler

Make the most of this sweet fruit with a Light Buttermilk Pear Cobbler, or use your favorite stone fruits.

Pear Apple Honey Souffle

This very low-fat Pear Apple Honey Souffle is healthy and remarkably easy for such a show stopper of a dessert. Perfect for a light treat after supper.

Low Fat Lime Coffee Cake

This wonderful low-fat lime coffee cake is great for breakfast, or as a luncheon or tea bread. Try it with a sprinkle of unsweetened coconut as a topping.

Red Mountain Spa Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Red Mountain Spa’s lower calorie version of Strawberry Shortcake is a delicious way to use this nutrient dense summer fruit.

Peach and Rosemary Sorbet

The hearty warmth of rosemary olive oil is a stirring contrast to the bright and cheery essence of peach in this dashing Peach and Rosemary Sorbet.

Egg White Berry Crepes

These simple egg white crepes are low calorie, high protein, gluten-free, and the perfect vehicle for fruit.

Quinoa Walnut Brownies

Rancho La Puerta Spa Quinoa Walnut Brownies are a tasty, hand-crafted, chocolatey, and gluten free bit of deliciousness

Mascarpone Sorbet Recipe

This low carb Italian cheese can be made into a fantastic and healthful Mascarpone Sorbet to accompany your fruity and healthy desserts

Fat Free Pumpkin Spice Cake

Here is a fat free pumpkin spice cake recipe to round out your holiday dessert table. This recipe requires no frosting (just a dusting of sugar will do) and it travels well, so take it to work parties, family dinners and holiday events.

Low Fat Almond Red Tea Custard

This custard dessert was developed for the California Almond Board for the Portfolio Eating Plan, aiming to lower cholesterol.

Miraval Resort Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Please skip those dry, artificially flavored and sweetened pumpkin treats at your coffee spot, and instead, try this recipe. These homey Pumpkin Spice Cookies by Miraval Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona, are so perfect for fall and winter.

Green Mountain Carrot Cake

This simple recipe for carrot cake is courtesy of Green Mountain at Fox Run, Vermont, a health retreat for women. How can cake be healthy? Well for one thing, it doesn’t need heavy cream cheese frosting. Just trust us on this one.

Avocado Banana Chocolate Mousse Pudding

This fruit filled dessert is a tropical take on traditional Chocolate Mousse, and is suitable for vegans and those avoiding dairy and soy. It’s very creamy and satisfying — a little goes a long way.

Zucchini, Cranberry and Walnut Cake

This slightly sweet loaf is perfect with a cup of tea, or as part of a light lunch with a salad and iced tea. It fits the bill for both something bread-like and dessert-like and it isn’t difficult to have these ingredients on hand if you use “craisens” or dried cranberries.

Miraval Trail Mix Cookies

This recipe for a hearty and chewy trail mix cookie is courtesy of Mirval Resort in Arizona and appears in Sweet & Savory, the resort’s newest cookbook. This is a family favorite version of a cookie that is packed with ingredients more nutritious than your average chocolate chip recipe, although it does have some chips, too. Each cook has 2 grams of fat.

Low Fat Turtle Pie – 150 Calorie Per Serving

Assembling individual ramekins of Low Fat Turtle Pie means you get a whole dessert to yourself — for under 150 calories each.

Pritikin Low Fat Lush Berry Pie

Try this beautiful and tangy Pritikin Lush Berry Pie and enjoy zero saturated fat but lots of lip-smacking flavor.

Non Fat Chocolate Sauce

Serve this chocolate sauce over fresh fruit, a frozen dessert, or a slice of bread. It will satisfy your most intense chocolate craving.

Roasted Pears and Raisins

Roasted Pears and Raisins with Star Anise makes for a delicious dessert. It satisfies your sweet tooth while offering a departure from refined sugars.

Black Dog Ginger Cookies

Lighter Holiday Cookie Swaps: Black Dog Ginger Cookies are great for holiday cookie swaps — or for your own treat any time of the year.

Chocolate Dipped Rice Cakes

This dessert is so simple, and isn’t restricted to the holidays. With just three ingredients (and sometimes 2) you can have a crunch, sweet, low-fat treat. Use your favorite rice cake or puffed corn cake, melt semi-sweet good quality chocolate chips (or your favorite carob or peanut butter chips), add a drop of two of extract if desired, and you’ve got a light, satisfying dessert.

Biggest Loser Fat Free Pumpkin Custard

This recipe for Biggest Loser Fat Free Pumpkin Custard is so good, you’ll consider making it a mainstay at the holiday table. It also makes a wonderful breakfast.

Vanilla Cacao Nib Cookies – Eden Health Retreat

Crunchy, delicious, and easy to bake Vanilla Cacao Nib Cookies. We could just call them “organic chocolate chip cookies” but they are much more than that.

No Bake Avocado Chocolate Pie

This is a creamy, delicious and rich avocado chocolate pie recipe courtesy of the Eden Health Retreat Destination Spa in Queensland, Australia. It’s easy as can be with ingredients made in your food processor, and relies on dates and almonds for the crust, and avocados, coconut oil and cacao for the rich filling.

Biggest Loser Apple Berry Cobbler

This recipe for Biggest Loser Apple Berry Cobbler combines fruit, oatmeal, maple syrup, and is a wonderful cool-weather dessert. Great for breakfast, too.

Fudgy Fig Nut Brownies

Figs, chocolate and walnuts–nutrition and taste come together in one delicious brownie.

Low Fat Low Sugar Apple Crisp

This healthy and low sugar apple crisp recipe will be an autumnal favorite in your home.

Mango Ricotta Cheesecake Mousse

Mango Ricotta Cheesecake Mousse. A nice dessert with a tangy cheesecake flavor. Wonderful on warm days when served chilled.

Strawberry Tofu Sherbet

At just 110 calories per serving, this Strawberry Tofu sherbet is an excellent summer dessert when made with fresh, sweet berries.

Canyon Ranch Berry Orange Cobbler

This Canyon Ranch recipe for a Berry Orange Cobbler is a perfect dessert for any season. Serve it with non-dairy whipped topping or frozen non-fat yogurt.

Peach Floats with Ice Milk

This summery Peach Float is made with peaches, vanilla ice milk, and club soda for a cool treat with summer flavor.

Strawberry Parfait with Orange Custard Sauce

Spring and Summer is the time for strawberries. One glamorous way to show them off is in a parfait. You can make a Strawberry Parfait with frozen yogurt, ice cream, pudding or custard — all relatively easy and pretty to serve. This version calls for a made-from-scratch soft custard.

Strawberry Ricotta Trifle

This strawberry ricotta trifled has layers of angel food cake, ricotta cheese, and macerated strawberries. Add a dollop of fat free whipped topping!

Low Sugar Low Fat Berry Pavlova

A Pavlova dessert is always a show stopper, is fairly low in refined sugar and fat calories even before it is adapted for low fat and low sugar preferences, and honestly isn’t that complicated, if you have patience.

Biggest Loser Cone-Nolis

Try this simple recipe for Biggest Loser Cone-Nolis for a fun and festive dessert.

Salted Brownie Baked Oatmeal

This wholesome and filling dish of Salted Brownie Baked Oatmeal is wonderful for breakfast or dessert, warm or cold. No refined sugars!

Low Fat Coffee Creme Brulee

Low Fat Coffee Creme Brulee incorporates both instant coffee granules and Kahlua, skim milk. Low Fat, High Protein, and Delicious.

Canyon Ranch Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe for America’s favorite cookie is made healthier by Canyon Ranch. Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip cookies are a guest favorite.

Total Eclipse Carob Date Cake

This recipe produce a dark, moist, chocolate-y carob date cake frosted with a silken tofu creme frosting, suitable for vegans.

Cantucci Almond Cookies

A low-sugar and low-fat cookie treat. From Tuscany, these crisp, twice-baked almond cookies are ideal for dipping in glasses of coffee or vin santo after a meal.

Raisin Apricot Breakfast Cookies

A healthful cookie for breakfast? Yes! Orange juice and prunes or applesauce play the major role in moistening these high fiber cookies.

Amaretti Cookies

This Italian dessert staple is a sweet flourless treat. You can substitute hazelnuts for the almonds in these cookies, which freeze well, so make a big batch

Old Fashioned Thin Almond Cookies

Dorie Greenspan’s low-fat Old Fashioned Almond Cookies are great for holiday cookie swaps — or for your own treat any time of the year.

Ginger Drizzle Cookies

Lighter Holiday Cookie Swaps: These lightened-up Ginger Drizzle Cookies are great for holiday cookie swaps — or for your own treat any time of the year.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

This simple recipe for no flour peanut butter cookies makes a shortbread textured cookie — a nice protein treat when a sweet craving hits.

Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

It’s hard to go wrong with this classic cookie, and this recipe is especially easy — no flour, and just five ingredients, including sunflower oil instead of butter, which means less saturated fat. Very easy to for kids to make.

Biggest Loser Raspberry Jelly Rolls

These pickup-able sweet treats at only 85 calories a serving are perfect for kids and grown-ups alike.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Ricotta Cookies

This recipe for healthy ricotta cookies is from Shaun T, creator of the Insanity Workout. Made with ricotta cheese, they are high in calcium and one serving is under 100 calories, low sugar, and low fat.

Biggest Loser Crispy Peanut Butter Squares

This dessert is perfect for bake sales and school lunches and are sure to become favorites in your home. Kid and Family Approved, not to mention coworkers and neighbors.

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Smoothie

Is it breakfast, dessert, a post work out meal, a milk shake, or all of these things? Hard to decide! The team at Biggest Loser Resorts came up with this peanut butter chocolate smoothie, kicked it up with banana and honey, and it manages to be a rich treat and a protein boost all in one.

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