The Best Diabetic Treats this Holiday Season

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Holidays are a time for delicious dinners and mouth-watering desserts. But for the millions of people in the U.S. with diabetes, the holidays can be a blood sugar minefield. With 10.5% of the U.S. population having diabetes, that gives you a reasonable chance that someone at the dinner table could miss out on treats simply because they aren’t diabetes-friendly. 

But with more and more recipes flooding the internet every day, those with diabetes are finding a sea of options for tasty dishes. To help everyone enjoy their holiday goodies, try one of these diabetes-friendly dessert options!


No-Bake Chocolate Brownie

By Lorraine Pascale

These yummy brownies have a secret: there’s no added sugar! By using pitted dates as a substitute, these are one of the most diabetes-friendly options out there. Plus, who doesn’t love a chocolatey, gooey brownie? On top of that, they have a ton of protein and healthy unsaturated fatty acids, making them a dessert you can feel great about.


Ganache-Topped Chocolate Cake

By Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Rich, dark, sweet, and moist – there’s just something about chocolate cake. Top it with ganache and you have a decadent dessert that’s always a crowd favorite. To add an extra layer of flavor, top this dessert with some fresh raspberries. It’s sure to be a great way to top off your holiday feast. Diabetic exchanges are also included in this recipe.

Holiday Sugar Cookies

By Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

What cookie is the most characteristic of the holidays? It seems that decorating sugar cookies is a holiday tradition for many families and now even those with diabetes can get in on the fun. With the option to create the shapes and designs of your choosing, these Holiday Sugar Cookies are a fun activity plus a diabetes-friendly sweet treat when eaten in moderation!

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars

By Jennifer Rafferty

Combining the sweetness of chocolate and the savory tang of cream cheese, these rich Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars are surprisingly low in fat and quick to throw together. Did you forget you have to bring a dessert to the family dinner? These are your answer! Only 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of baking time, you’ll be ready to go before you know it. And they’ll be a hit with everyone, too!

Mascarpone Mini Cupcakes with Strawberry Glaze

By Giada de Laurentiis

Cupcakes are one of the most perfect party desserts. Easy to share and fun to decorate, cupcakes bring the party. Make them miniature, and they are not only poppable bites of deliciousness but also easy to eat in moderation as you monitor your blood sugar. With these Mascarpone Mini Cupcakes with Strawberry Glaze, you also get the all-natural goodness of strawberries, plus the mascarpone cheese will give you the moistest cupcake you’ve ever had. 

Easy Lemon Berry Tartlets

By Elizabeth Dehart

A fancy dessert doesn’t have to only happen after fancy dinners. You can dress up any weeknight with these Easy Lemon Berry Tartlets. With sweet, fresh raspberry flavor topped with lemon cream, these are a refreshing fruity treat. It doesn’t take much time to make, either! All you need is 15 minutes. 

Crispy Rice Treats

By Food Network’s Healthy Eats

Perfect any time of year, Crispy Rice Treats can make for an easy, no-bake holiday dessert, especially when you have some fun with food coloring. Add a few drops of red or green and some sprinkles to elevate your plain old Crispy Rice Treat into something Santa would love. 

Ribbon Pudding Pie

By Doris Morgan

Pies are one of the most versatile desserts. You can make them fruity, sweet, even savory.”Cool, smooth and creamy, this pretty pie is a slice of heaven for people with diabetes and anyone who likes an easy yet impressive dessert. The lovely pudding layers feature a yummy combination of vanilla, chocolate and butterscotch.” – Doris

Surprise Meringues

By Gloria Grant

Delicate like holiday snow and surprisingly sweet for how light they are, these Surprise Meringues are the perfect way to bring in the holidays. Whether your house is covered in snow or not, these snowball-looking cookies are beautiful to look at and full of surprising textures and flavors. What’s the surprise in Surprise Meringues? Mini-chocolate chips and chopped nuts!

Eggnog Mousse

By Taste of Home Test Kitchen

It’s creamy, full of spice, and only around during the holidays, but in this recipe, eggnog is getting a makeover. If you love the taste of eggnog or just have some left over in the fridge, try this Eggnog Mousse recipe. With its light and fluffy texture and iconic flavor, it’s the perfect finish to a long holiday meal.