17 Tasty Desserts With Hidden Veggies

Almost everyone loves a good dessert – and if you don’t we can’t be friends. Sorry. (JUST KIDDING!)

Whether you’re a fan of cakes or cookies, there’s something about that warm gooeyness that just soothes the soul. Slipping in a serving of vegetables makes dessert time that much sweeter, so here are 12 recipes for your sweet tooth (or teeth, perhaps) that are sure to please:

Flourless Chocolate Chip Zucchini Oat Brownies

These brownies are chocolaty, chewy and delicious, and they are sure to please. With only 86 calories per brownie, you can indulge your sweet tooth without the post-sugar guilt. Taking the guilt out of a guilty pleasure leaves you with a healthy brownie recipe everyone is sure to go wild over.

Oatmeal Zucchini Cookies

Comforting oatmeal-y goodness? Check. Healthy serving of vegetables? Check. This recipe pulls double duty by being delicious and nutritious all at the same time. Grated zucchini hides so well in these soft cookies that if you didn’t know it was in there, you might never notice. Go ahead, eat one…or two. I won’t tell.

Chocolate Eggplant Torte

Chocolaty fudgy cake with a serving of eggplant? Why not. This grain free and dairy free treat will have you wondering why it took you so long to use eggplant in a dessert.

This torte has to cool for two hours to set before serving, so make sure to plan ahead. Topped with almonds and (optional but recommended) chocolate drizzle, this cake will climb to the top of your favorites list with ease.

Healthy Chickpea Blondies

Chickpeas contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that are critical for human health. They’re also high in protein and make an excellent meat substitute for vegans and vegetarians. These blondies offer the perfect hint of sweetness to end your meal without causing you to break out in sugar sweats.

The filling fiber from the rolled oats keeps you full, making these an ideal grab-and-go breakfast, too. Pair them with a serving of fruit and herbal tea, and you’ll power through your morning. Need a midday boost without an energy drink or soda? These blondies make the ideal alternative.

Summer Squash Chocolate Cake

If you’re trying to craft a delectable dessert for the whole family, but you’re also honoring dietary restrictions, reach for this recipe. You don’t have to give up deliciousness — or chocolate — to eat more healthfully.

Nearly everybody loves chocolate, and you don’t need a ton of added sugar for sufficient sweetness. Plus, the dark stuff contains antioxidants. You get vitamin A and C from the squash while fighting cancer-causing free radicals. What could be better?

Raspberry Lemon Blondie Wedges

You can enjoy a silky taste of summer any time of the year with this recipe. The tartness of raspberries pairs naturally with the acidity in lemons. Plus, the citric acid releases the anthocyanins from the skin of the beets.

The coconut oil elevates these treats above those that call for margarine in the batter. When you garnish with berries and lemon zest, these wedges look elegant enough to serve in a 4-star restaurant. Nevertheless, your kids won’t turn their noses up at this food!

Sweet Corn Ice Cream

I scream, you scream! Everybody gets excited about the refreshing flavor of this melty treat. You don’t have to reserve your ice cream machine for dairy and sugar only. Instead, provide your family with an extra serving of vitamins with a recipe that incorporates corn.

Since this eared veggie is naturally high in sugar, you don’t need to add a ton extra. However, feel free to drizzle on the caramel as much as you like. It lends a kettle corn flavor that you can amplify with some butterscotch-flavored jimmies. You can even serve this dish with a side of the crunchy stuff. Alternatively, fruit this dessert up with peach preserves or strawberry puree.

Cauliflower White Chocolate Fruit Dip

Do you want to get your children to eat more raw fruit without listening to all the whining? You can make berries and apple slices into treats they beg to eat with the right sweet dip on the side. All you need to tell them is that the sauce contains white chocolate. You can keep the fact that it includes cauliflower to yourself.

All cruciferous vegetables contain a phytonutrient known as Indole-3-carbinol. This substance decreases cancer cell proliferation and helps detoxify your liver. If you indulged in a few too many adult beverages the night before, reach for this dessert to replenish and heal your body. It also makes a tasty addition to your morning grapefruit.

Beet Carrot Cookie

These veggie-based cookies are gluten free and dairy free, making them the perfect way to treat yourself minus all the guilt afterward. The beet juice gives these cookies a beautiful pink color, which means they are ideal as giving for treats to your loved ones. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter, and next year’s Valentine’s Day treats just got a lot healthier.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Yes, technically avocado is a fruit, but the richness it has makes it perfect for dessert, so it’s going on the list anyway. You should be aware that under no circumstances can this tasty treat be called ‘low fat.’ Avocados are high in fat, but the goods news is that it’s good fat and way healthier for you than fat from dairy.