It's often one of the first things to go when someone embarks on a diet, so it's no surprise that desserts have a bit of a bad rep when it comes to healthy eating.
But Cheat Day and dessert have become a bit synonymous, meaning it's only right to celebrate the best part of a meal. Even certified nutritionist Christine Avanti sees its benefits.
"If you're really jonesin' for that chocolate blackout cake (hey, just because I'm a nutritionist doesn't mean I don't enjoy rich desserts!), have a small serving, enjoy it, and move on," Avanti writes in her book, Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads. "If you continue to resist, you are going to drive yourself bananas (or more likely, banana splits!)."
So on National Dessert Day--or any other day, for that matter--it's only right to give in (a little), and have your cake and definitely eat it too. Check out these 15 indulgent desserts that'll give your sweet tooth a serious fix.
1. Dark Chocolate-Peppermint Brownies
Get the Dark Chocolate-Peppermint Brownies recipe from Pretty Delicious
2. Chocolate Chip and Almond Butter Cookies
Get the Chocolate Chip and Almond Butter Cookies recipe from Thug Kitchen
3. Pancake Cake With Maple Cream Frosting
Get the Pancake Cake With Maple Cream Frosting recipe from The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Dessert Cookbook
4. Burnt Caramel & Sea Salt Sticky Buns
Get the Burnt Caramel & Sea Salt Sticky Buns recipe from Messy Baker
5. Red Velvet Smoothie
Get the Red Velvet Smoothie recipe from Simple Green Smoothies
6. Mocha Chocolate Cake
Get the Mocha Chocolate Cake recipe from The Flat Belly Diet Gluten-Free Cookbook
7. Orange-Thyme Upside-Down Cake
Get the Orange-Thyme Upside-Down Cake recipe from The Year of Cozy
8. Frozen Coconut Yogurt With Cinnamon
Get the Frozen Coconut Yogurt With Cinnamon recipe from The Sweet Life
9. Chocolate-Almond Biscotti
Get the Chocolate-Almond Biscotti recipe from Wheat Belly Cookbook
10. Peanut Butter Cups With Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt
Get the Peanut Butter Cups With Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt recipe from Yummy Supper
11. Cinnamon Toast Bars
Get the Cinnamon Toast Bars recipe from Fat Witch Bake Sale
12. Strawberry-Peanut Butter Parfaits
Get the Strawberry-Peanut Butter Parfaits recipe from Wheat Belly 30-Minute (or Less!) Cookbook
13. Chocolate Pudding With Pistachios
Get the Chocolate Pudding With Pistachios recipe from 2-Week Turnaround Diet Cookbook
14. Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers
Get the Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers recipe from The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Dessert Cookbook
15. Chocolate-Orange Gingersnap Drops
Get the Chocolate-Orange Gingersnap Drops recipe from Messy Baker