When it comes to desserts a healthier take could seem like an oxymoron, but it’s not. Fruits of all finds lend themselves to satisfying desserts that satiate our sweet tooth, while nut flours and whole grain flours can make cakes and cookies that while not exactly sugar free, are lower in sugar and higher in fiber than the majority of store bought confections. And they taste good. At the end of the day, the healthy key to all desserts and sweet treats is about the frequency with which we eat them, and the portion size when we do. A little goes a long way. To reduce the risk of a number of common cancers including breast, endometrial, and prostate we need to keep to a healthy weight, and sweets don’t help with that. Sweet foods are not only high calorie, they are also pretty addictive so it’s best to keep them an occasional treat.  To make sweet-eating less frequent in my own house, my main tactic is out of sight out of mind. I never keep cookies in the pantry or ice cream in the freezer, but I always have fresh fruits out on the counter, homemade compote in the fridge or berries in the freezer. They get all eaten. And when I bake, the cookies, cakes and pies I make are a special treat, and are enjoyed as such instead of a being casual grazing habit.  Long story short, we don’t have to give up either dessert or cookies, but neither should they be part of our daily routines. When you do decide you want to make something sweet, here are some yummy, healthy(ish) dessert recipes for you to try. Enjoy!