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.
45 of the Best Diabetic Holiday Dessert Recipes
Updated on Sep. 18, 2024
1/45
Sparkly Meringue Snowmen
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
About 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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, Kansas
Keep your desserts simple and low in sugar. Check out these easy diabetic dessert recipes for more inspiration.
2/45
Gingerbread Meringue Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
3/45
Almond Espresso Bars
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
4/45
Citrus Gingerbread Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
5/45
Holiday Meringue Miniatures
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
about 7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
6/45
Gluten-Free Fig Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
7/45
Mocha Meringue Sandwich Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
8/45
Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
9/45
Homemade Honey Grahams
Total Time
25 min
Servings
32 crackers
From the Recipe Creator:
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
10/45
Caramel Apple Tartlets
Total Time
35 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Good-for-you things come in small packages when you make a batch of these tiny apple tartlets. Sweet and cinnamony, these mouthwatering tarts are a delightful addition to a dessert table or snack tray. —Mary Kelley, Minneapolis, Minnesota
11/45
Pumpkin Snack Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
12/45
Chipotle Crackle Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
13/45
Tiramisu
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tiramisu is Italian for pick-me-up, and this one is definitely true to its name! My version of the classic Tuscan trifle has both coffee and espresso for layers of java flavor. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
14/45
Pumpkin Pecan Custard
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
15/45
Almond Blondies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
16/45
Air-Fryer Apple Fritters
Total Time
30 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These air-fryer apple fritters are healthier than old-fashioned fritters, yet they are still just as delicious. They're a quick and easy dessert that includes a scrumptious brown butter glaze! —Alyssa Castriotta, North Scituate, Rhode Island
17/45
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 bars
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe caught my eye and was extremely popular at the annual Christmas party sponsored by our Extension Homemakers. It's a great dessert for fall.
18/45
Gluten-Free Almond Crispies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
19/45
Grossmutter's Peppernuts
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 30 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
20/45
Molasses Crinkle Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You can treat yourself to one or two of my crackle cookies without guilt. Most molasses cookies are loaded with butter and have way too much sugar, but not mine. You would never know these are so low in fat.— Jean L. Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
21/45
Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
22/45
Makeover Cream Cheese Streusel Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
23/45
Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Peppermint lovers won't be able to get enough of these light and airy delights. They make terrific Christmas gifts or lovely treats to pass around when guests drop in. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
24/45
No-Guilt Brownies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
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
25/45
Gluten-Free Almond Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
26/45
Swedish Apple Pie
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
27/45
Cinnamon Nut Bars
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
28/45
Soft Gingersnap Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Soft gingersnaps embody the tastes and smells of the Christmas season, but they are perfect for any fall or winter gathering. I enjoy the blend of cloves, ginger and cinnamon in this delicious cookie. —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina
29/45
Soft Honey Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These old-fashioned honey cookies have a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York
30/45
Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A delightful coconut and ricotta cheese filling is hidden inside these chocolate cupcakes. —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania
31/45
Pumpkin Seed Cranberry Biscotti
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
32/45
No-Bake Apple Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
33/45
Carrot Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cookies are both flavorful and colorful. The shredded carrots add nice bright flecks of orange color.
34/45
Apple-Spice Angel Food Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
35/45
Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a chocolate lover, and this treat has satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can't be beat. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming
36/45
Fruitcake Christmas Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
As holiday gifts, these rich fruit-and nut-filled cookies are pretty and practical. These are great make ahead Christmas cookies —the taste actually gets better over time! —Julia Funkhouser, Carson, Iowa
37/45
Coconut Macaroons
Total Time
30 min
Servings
32 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These chewy cookies are my husband's favorite, so he requests them often. I like to make the macaroons on cold winter days and keep them in an airtight bowl on the kitchen counter. They never last long! —Peggy Key, Grant, Alabama
38/45
Black Bean Brownies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
39/45
Meringue Cookies
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These sweet little swirls are light as can be. They're all you need after a big, special dinner. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
40/45
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I baked these moist, fudgy cookies for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they're lower in fat and easy to mix and bake. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
41/45
Angel Food Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For our daughter's wedding, a friend made this lovely, airy angel food cake from a recipe she's used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I've found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa
42/45
Apple Pie Bites
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
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
43/45
Swirled Mint Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
44/45
First-Place Coconut Macaroons
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
45/45
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These soft banana cookies have a cakelike texture and lots of flavor that everyone seem to love. It's one of the best banana cookie recipes I've found. —Vicki Raatz, Waterloo, Wisconsin
Also check out these diabetes-friendly desserts you can buy on Amazon.
