These 7 simple post-holiday desserts are light, refreshing, and still totally satisfying

Friday 2 January 2026 15:30 - Daniele Mainieri
These 7 simple post-holiday desserts are light, refreshing, and still totally satisfying

After the holidays always comes the same thought: "I am craving a dessert, but without overdoing it." January is not the month of drastic renunciations, but the month of more balanced choices. After panettone, nougat and major desserts, the desire for something sweet, yes, but light, that does not make one feel weighed down or out of phase, grows.

The good news is that there are plenty of desserts that are perfect for the post-holiday season: simple recipes, with few ingredients, often without baking, and with a polished appearance that also pleases the eye. Desserts that don't scream "diet," but help you gradually return to a more normal routine without sacrificing pleasure.




What makes a dessert suitable for the post-holiday season

A light dessert after the holidays does not have to be sad or bland. It must be:

  • easy and quick to prepare
  • low in sugar, but satisfying
  • inexpensive, with simple ingredients
  • beautiful to look at, even in its simplicity

Aesthetics is what makes the difference: a cup, a light dusting, a natural color can transform a simple dessert into something that looks studied.

1. Persimmon and chocolate cream: the no-bake dessert that surprises

Velvety, intense and incredibly simple, this spoonable cream is proof that it only takes a few ingredients to make a satisfying dessert. The natural sweetness of persimmons combines with the character of dark chocolate, resulting in a no-bake, light dessert that is perfect to enjoy after the holidays, when you're looking for something mouthwatering but easy to digest.

Chocolate dessert with only 2 ingredients!Recipe Chocolate dessert with only 2 ingredients!

These little persimmon and chocolate creams are proof that a dessert can be as delicious as it is simple to make! After testing apple and pear , it's the persimmon 's turn to shine in this recipe. Its soft, sweet flesh blends perfectly with the...


2. Sugar-free banana plumcake: comfort food in a light version

Soft, fragrant and naturally sweet, this plumcake uses only the ripeness of bananas to deliver flavor, with no added sugar. It is an ideal choice for the post-holiday period: simple, comforting and perfect for breakfast or as a light dessert, to indulge in a sweet break without overdoing it.

Sugar-free banana bread - gluten-free and veganRecipe Sugar-free banana bread - gluten-free and vegan

Do you also find that desserts are often too sweet? Our sugar-free banana bread is sure to delight you! Our secret? Extra ripe bananas, of course! Not only is this recipe sugar-free, but it's also waste-free ;-) After all, you didn't think of throwing...

3. Skyr cake: soft, delicate and easy to prepare

When you crave a baked treat but prefer to stay light, this skyr cake is a great solution. The naturally low-fat Icelandic yogurt gives a smooth texture and clean taste. An essential recipe, perfect to accompany the post-holiday restart with simplicity and balance.

Skyr flan, light and super easy to make!Recipe Skyr flan, light and super easy to make!

Looking for a light dessert without the fuss? This skyr flan is just what you need! With just a few ingredients and a turn in the oven, you get a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture reminiscent of childhood desserts, but in a lighter version. The...

4. Vegan and gluten-free cake: simple and inclusive

Essential but surprisingly creamy, this spoon dessert is designed for those seeking a vegan and gluten-free offering that is easy to make and suitable for everyone. Ideal after the richest holiday meals, it's a light treat that doesn't weigh you down and can be prepared in minutes.

Vegan chocolate dessert cream - chocolate, banana, avocadoRecipe Vegan chocolate dessert cream - chocolate, banana, avocado

For a vegan, gluten-free, and especially quick version of dessert cream, we offer you our recipe flavored with chocolate, banana, and... avocado! Yes, you read that right! Rest assured, the taste of avocado is not noticeable at all and will provide a...

5. Skyr cake with chocolate chips: perfect balance

Fluffy and delicate, this cake manages to balance lightness and deliciousness thanks to skyr and small chocolate chips. It is just the right cake to return to simple recipes without sacrificing pleasure, ideal for breakfast or a satisfying but measured snack.

Skyr cake with chocolate chips: the healthy dessert solution!Recipe Skyr cake with chocolate chips: the healthy dessert solution!

Skyr is an Icelandic specialty that lies between yogurt and cream cheese. It is lower in fat than Greek yogurt and is rich in protein (2.5 times more than regular yogurt). A perfect ally for health and weight loss, it can be added to desserts for...

6. Eggless pancakes: fluffy and naturally light

Perfect for those who want to lighten their routine without giving up a homemade dessert, these vegan pancakes are soft and delicate thanks to flax egg. With no eggs or dairy, they are ideal for breakfast or as a post-holiday dessert, especially when accompanied by fresh fruit or vegetable yogurt.

Fluffy vegan pancakes with flax egg: easy and egg-free recipeRecipe Fluffy vegan pancakes with flax egg: easy and egg-free recipe

Looking for a healthy, light and 100% plant-based breakfast? These vegan pancakes with flax egg are the perfect choice! Fluffy and incredibly easy to prepare , they are the ideal alternative to classic egg and dairy pancakes. The recipe uses only...

7. Mango and lime sorbet: fresh and ready in 5 minutes

After the more structured desserts of the holidays, a fresh dessert is often just what is needed. This sorbet is made in very few minutes with only three ingredients and is naturally light. Fragrant, balanced and refreshing, it is perfect for ending the meal with something sweet but not challenging.

Mango and lime sorbet with only 3 ingredients and ready to eat in 5 minutes!Recipe Mango and lime sorbet with only 3 ingredients and ready to eat in 5 minutes!

You wanted an ice cream recipe to make without an ice cream maker , extra fresh and fruity? Well, you've come to the right place! With only 3 ingredients , you will be able to enjoy a delicious mango sorbet in no time. There's nothing like a good...

Why these cakes really work in January

These proposals work because they respect the moment: they do not eliminate pleasure, but bring it back into balance. After the excesses of the holidays, January is not the month of drastic renunciations, but of more conscious choices. These are sweets designed to accompany the daily restart, because:

  • they help to gradually get back into the routine
  • they are inexpensive, with simple and readily available ingredients
  • they are easily prepared, even with little time available
  • they make you feel good, without weighing down your body and mind

January does not demand perfection, but continuity and balance. And that's exactly where these light desserts come in: they allow you to treat yourself to something good again, without overdoing it or adding stress to your day.

The real secret is not to take everything out, but to choose better. Even dessert, after the holidays, can become part of a new, more sustainable rhythm of measured pleasures, simplicity and daily well-being.

Daniele MainieriDaniele Mainieri
Every day I immerse myself in the world of cooking, looking for new recipes and flavors to share: from grandma's dish to the latest food trends. I have been working in food communication for over 10 years!

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