A Lighter Take on Holiday Treats with Frozen and Refrigerated Dairy

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a family-favorite dessert on the table, or sharing tasty, savory seasonal appetizers with guests. If you want to enjoy all those festive flavors without going overboard, frozen and refrigerated dairy foods can help. With simple swaps like using Greek yogurt in place of mayo in dips, or adding in more nutrient-rich ingredients like frozen fruits, you can whip up holiday treats that are a little lighter but still every bit as delicious! It’s an easy way to savor the season while keeping balance in mind.

Feel-Good Holiday Tips for Enjoying the Foods You Love

• Bake Once, Enjoy All Season – Make your favorite holiday cookies ahead of time and freeze them. Thaw a few at a time to enjoy fresh treats in moderation—savor the season without overindulging!

Dietitian Fave – Your kids and guests won’t be able to tell the difference in these Whole Wheat Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Naturally Colored Frosting.

• Dipping Delight – For a high protein, lower fat dip base, simply puree low-fat cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until smooth. It adds rich texture and a slightly tangy flavor—perfect for ranch-style dips, spinach-artichoke dip, or even a lighter buffalo chicken dip. Bonus tip: Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt while blending to make it extra creamy and balance the flavor.

Dietitian Fave – Skinny French Onion Dip: A lighter version of a popular holiday dip. Serve with fresh green and red veggies like peppers, cucumbers, celery, and grape tomatoes.

• Stir in Some Cheer – Use light cream cheese, Greek yogurt, or reduced-fat sour cream in cheesecakes or frostings to reduce fat and calories. Greek yogurt also adds a protein bonus.

Dietitian Fave –  Greek Yogurt Cheesecake: Top with a frozen fruit medley (like raspberries or cherries) warmed slightly for a sweet, festive touch.

• Go for Frozen Fruit Flavor – Frozen berries, cherries, or peaches make easy, naturally sweet fillings for crisps, cobblers, and parfaits—no added sugar needed.

Dietitian Fave – Simmer frozen fruit into a quick compote to top frozen pancakes, waffles, or angel food cake instead of heavy syrups.

• Frozen Chopped Spinach – Add thawed, drained, frozen chopped spinach into savory holiday cheese breads, muffins, or breakfast casseroles for extra nutrition without extra prep time.
• Choose Low Fat Cheese – Cheese is a holiday staple, but you can reduce the calories and fat in many recipes by simply swapping reduced fat cheese for regular.

Dietitian Fave – These savory Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins make a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table or a cozy weeknight soup meal.

• Mix It Up with Milk Alternatives – Use milk alternatives, such as almond milk or oat milk, to create lighter versions of classic favorites that also accommodate your guests’ dietary preferences.

Dietitian Fave – Almond milk and bananas combine in this delicious, lighter version of Healthy Holiday Eggnog.

• Make it Mini – Create mini desserts with frozen phyllo cups or puff pastry squares filled with lighter cream fillings or yogurt-based mousse. The phyllo cups also work great for mini appetizer bites.

Dietitian Faves – Small in size, big in flavor, these Holiday Dessert Cups make an easy, crowd-pleasing treat for any holiday occasion! And for a savory appetizer, these Hot Craby Phyllo Bites are perfectly seasoned and garnished with paprika, ideal for any gathering.

 

About the Author: Shari Steinbach, MS RDN

Shari is a nationally recognized food and nutrition consultant with over 25 years of experience as a health professional with two major supermarket chains in the Midwest. She specializes in crafting unique programs for her clients that provide meaningful nutrition and meal planning solutions for today’s consumers. Shari holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science Degree in Human Nutrition from Andrews University in Michigan.