This holiday, give thanks to lighter, healthier desserts guests will adore, including pumpkin pie, pear-cranberry crisp, and apple-spice cake.

Easy to prepare and nutrient-packed, this robust, versatile gourd deserves its spot at the table.

Serve this cake either warm or at room temperature. Using walnut oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, helps cut down on butter and gives the cake a rich flavor.

Want to serve a lighter version of the everyone's favorite Thanksgiving dessert? These individual custards are essentially crustless pumpkin pie made with nonfat evaporated milk.

This healthy, seasonal pie is sure to warm guests' hearts this holiday. The two types of cranberries in this recipe create a sweet and tart pie. Gravenstein apples work best because they hold their shape and have a delicious tart flavor. If you cannot find Gravenstein, try Pink Lady, McIntosh, or Braeburn.

Baking in applesauce -- and chunky cubes of whole apples -- ensures that this cake, made with all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, has plenty of fall flavor.

Lighten up your pumpkin pie by using pure maple syrup, rather than sugar, to sweeten this holiday favorite.

Try this rosy crisp for a light treat that's bursting with pears and cranberries.

End your Thanksgiving feast on a positive note with this mood-boosting dessert loaded with vitamins B12, C , folate, and omega-3 fatty acids  -- all nutrients shown to make you happy.

Try healthier brownies by using pureed sweet potatoes for  moisture, sweetness, and a fudgy consistency, as well as fiber and beta-carotene. Their mild flavor keeps the chocolate center stage.

A little ginger -- a powerful anti-inflammatory and digestion aid -- goes a long way in this dessert. Combining dates and apples provides a sweet dose of fiber.

Combine crunchy almonds and sweet dark chocolate for a delicious dessert that's actually healthy to eat. This recipe makes 32 clusters (114 calories each). 

Our kid-friendly, light Pomegranate Gelee replaces gelatin with agar, a natural setting agent made from seaweed.

Figs contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with healthy heart and brain function, and lutein, which aids vision.