Joy Bauer has joined the Start TODAY family! Download the Start TODAY app to get Joy’s 7-day meal plan and take the guesswork out of healthy eating.
The holiday season is filled with sparkle, celebration and a whole lot of treats! If you’re craving festive fare that feels decadent but still nourishes your body, I’ve got you covered with three better-for-you desserts. Each recipe delivers those nostalgic holiday flavors with wholesome ingredients and Joy-approved techniques. They’re fun to make, fun to eat and guaranteed to bring big smiles to your dessert table.
Chocolate Peanut Butter ‘Puppy Chow’ Popcorn
Inspired by my Nutty Puppy Chow (also known as muddy buddies), this popcorn offers a sweet-salty crunch with chocolate-peanut butter drizzles, a sprinkling of chopped peanuts and a delicate dusting of sugar. It feels like childhood magic but with a lightened-up, modern twist. Serve it in a big bowl for movie night, package it in bags for gifting or leave it on the counter and watch it disappear — fast.
Mini Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches
These mini frozen sandwiches are the definition of joyful snacking — soft cookie dough on the outside with a creamy ice cream (or banana) center. They come together quickly and require zero baking, making them perfect for busy holiday weeks. And, if you want to see them in action, check out my Instagram reel — it walks you through the simple steps and shows just how irresistible these little guys truly are.
If you adore pecan pie but not the fuss of rolling crust — or waiting for an entire pie to bake — these pecan pie shooters are your new holiday shortcut. They capture all the warm, gooey, maple-pecan goodness of the classic dessert using oats, chopped pecans, maple syrup and cinnamon. A quick microwave transforms everything into a sticky, luscious filling that you spoon right into shot glasses (or stuff into dates). They’re adorable, festive and perfect for holiday parties or intimate gatherings when you want all the joy of pie … in a shot!
Get more healthy recipes in the Start TODAY app.
