14 Healthy Cherry Recipes | The Leaf

You already know that cherries are delicious. Those little red jewels are juicy, sweet and perfect for snacking, baking and smoothies. But what you may not know is that cherry recipes are also packed with health benefits.

Studies have found that certain chemicals in cherries and cherry juice may help fight diabetes, reduce the risk of stroke and lower blood pressure.

Put all that heart-healthy power to work—and enjoy the amazing flavor of cherries—with these 14 healthy cherry recipes. Each features fresh, dried or frozen cherries, and provides big flavor and sweetness.

The cherry on top? They all fit into your Nutrisystem weight loss plan!

This cherry recipe makes one of the most iconic ice cream flavors into a low calorie version that you can enjoy every day without guilt! Blending frozen bananas creates “nice cream,” a magical, soft serve-like texture that you’ll hardly believe is healthy. And once the other ingredients are added—frozen cherries, chocolate chips and a splash of coconut milk—the banana flavor disappears, masked by the sweetness of the cherries and the satisfying, melty chocolate.

It’s a creamy, dreamy treat that—at just 126 calories—can fit into your diet while keeping you on track to your weight loss goals. Get the full Cherry Garcia Nice Cream recipe here! >

Though these are cherry almond muffins, unsweetened applesauce is the secret ingredient: Using it in baked goods lets you make moist, delicious cakes, cupcakes and muffins while using fewer calories and adding some fruit nutrition to your bake.

In these cherry muffins, the applesauce is pumped up by whole wheat and almond flours, sliced almonds, pitted cherries and honey. It has a hearty, nutty and fruity flavor you’ll love biting into with your morning coffee—or as an afternoon or after-dinner treat!

At just 193 calories each, these cherry muffins are a fantastic way to indulge a little while still getting the fiber and antioxidants your body needs to stay fueled, functional and ready to tackle anything. Click here for the Cherry Almond Muffins recipe! >

Cherry pie doesn’t have to be sky-high in calories and sugar. By swapping out the goopy canned cherry pie filling for a simple one you make yourself, this cherry crumb pie delivers the same sweet cherry flavor you love—and some of that comforting gooeyness—with fewer calories.

The cherry pie filling couldn’t be easier: Just mix pitted cherries, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract and cinnamon in a bowl, and you’ll create your own silky mixture to fill your homemade pie crust.

The cherries, combined with sugar in the crust and crumble, provide just the right amount of sweetness that make this pie a treat. You won’t believe that it can fit into your healthy eating regimen! Get the Cherry Crumb Pie recipe here! >

This could be the most delicious way to get a vegetable serving … ever! It’s a shake that has the chocolate-and-cherry flavor of one of the world’s most legendary cakes. It’s packed with protein from a serving of Nutrisystem Chocolate Shake Mix, a dash of vanilla, nuttiness from unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and, of course, cherries.

All these mouth-watering flavors mask a cup of spinach that gets blended seamlessly into this creamy treat—so you’re getting your vegetables while drinking a cake shake! Get the full Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Milkshake recipe! >

These mini cheesecakes make satisfying your sweet tooth while controlling your portions simple. Each perfect little cake is 128 calories of satiating sweetness, so you don’t have to worry about cutting or measuring to stay on track.

Because they swap sugar for Truvia’s lower-calorie Sugar Cane Blend, these little cakes have even fewer calories than a normal mini cheesecake, leaving room for the saucy cherry topping. And they’re simple to make: Just mix five ingredients together in a bowl, pour into mini cupcake cups, and bake! Click here for the Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Bites recipe! >

For experienced bakers, losing weight can be frustrating: You love the magic of bringing flour, eggs, sugar and butter together into delectable treats, but it can be tough to find recipes that help keep you on pace to your goals.

This Cherry Cheese Danish recipe checks all the boxes. It’s made with real cheese, real flour, light butter, real cherries and real eggs … and you really bake it. But unlike a store-bought danish, this homemade delight has just 189 calories per serving, so you can make and share a delicious treat with your friends and family while staying on plan. Get the Cherry Cheese Danish recipe here! >

This recipe makes plenty to share: Thirty-eight cookies come out of the oven when you’re done! But when they’re packed with double chocolate—from cocoa powder and stevia-sweetened chocolate chips—you might find it hard to give any of them up.

These cookies are soft, chunky, creamy, melty … and thanks to dried cherries, fruity, too! All that goodness makes these cherry cookies feel like a cheat. B but thanks to applesauce and stevia, there’s just 52 calories in each cookie. Get the recipe for these Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies here! >

The “bliss” in these nutty, sweet energy balls is that there’s no baking required to make them. Just mix together ground almonds, dried cherries, stevia, water and cocoa powder in a food processer, then roll them into tasty, poppable spheres.

Stored in a container in your fridge, you’ll have eight servings of a portion- and calorie-controlled treat on hand for whenever a sweet craving strikes. You can just open the door, have a few bites of bliss, and feel satisfied while staying on track. Get this Chocolate Cherry Bliss Balls recipe here! >

According to the Cleveland Clinic, monk fruit is small, round fruit native to southern China. It’s recently emerged as an all-natural, ultra-low calorie sugar alternative in the U.S.—bagged powder made from the fruit that you can use just like sugar. When used in these cupcakes, each one is just 89 itty bitty calories.

Whether you choose to use monk fruit or stick with white sugar, these cupcakes are real Black Forest—packed with cherries, chocolaty through and through, and topped with a sweet, light whipped cream icing. They’re simple to make, and thanks to being cupcakes, easy to portion control. Each cake is 189 or 89 calories, depending on if you opt for sugar or monk fruit sweetener. Get the full Black Forest Cupcake recipe here! >

This smoothie lets you wake up with a sweet treat, but also pack the morning hours with filling protein, vitamins from fruits and veggies, and healthy fats that will fuel you to dominate your day. It’s made from a base of high-protein Greek yogurt, which will fill you with slow-digesting nutrients that will keep you feeling full until it’s time for your next scheduled snack or meal.

It’s got sneaky vegetable nutrition from frozen riced cauliflower and peeled beets, calcium from skim milk and heart-healthy fats—and a great crunch—from chopped pistachios. The star flavor, though, is frozen cherries, which provide sweetness, mask the veggies, and make the whole bowl a chilly morning treat you’ll love to spoon up. Click here for this Superfood Smoothie Bowl recipe! >

Cherry baked good recipes don’t have to be difficult! This Chocolate Cherry Red Velvet Mug Cake comes together in minutes in your microwave. It is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to your weight loss goals.

It’s made with whole wheat flour, natural sugar alternatives, and of course, plenty of chocolate and fresh cherries. Plus, it’s super easy and quick to make in your microwave. You’ll have it ready in five minutes or less! Get the Chocolate Cherry Red Velvet Mug Cake recipe here! >

You only need four ingredients to make this refreshing cherry slushie. Frozen cherries, lime juice, lime flavored seltzer water and ice combine in your blender for one of the most delicious drinkable cherry recipes.

It’s perfect for summer cookouts or parties. Even the kiddos will love this healthy frozen treat! Click here for the full Cherry Limeade Slushie recipe! >

Fuel up with the flavor of cherries combined with tart acai and sweet mango. This tropical smoothie is packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals!

Simple to make, it’s an easy cherry smoothie recipe and only takes five minutes. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack or easy breakfast on those bust days, this sweet treat is sure to satisfy. Get the full Acai Smoothie recipe here! >

Enjoy the flavors of a banana split with this easy no-bake cake! This recipe is easy to follow and requires minimal ingredients.

Topped with fruit, nuts and melted chocolate, it’s a sweet and satisfying treat that’s perfect for any season. We love that it makes 12 servings, so you can whip one up quickly for a party to serve your hungry guests. Click here to get this No-Bake Banana Split Cake recipe! >