5 Healthy and Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes (2024)

1

5 Healthy and Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes (1)

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Gluten-Free Almond Sugar Cookies

Who doesn’t love the beauty of a holiday-shaped sugar cookie? Almond and coconut flours are used in place of traditional wheat-based flours to make these cookies gluten-free. Heart-healthy avocado oil, per research, is used in place of sat fat-rich butter and a smaller amount of honey is used to cut back on the total sugar for cookies you can feel good about enjoying.

contains Tree Nuts, Eggs, Dairy

4.0 out of 4 reviews

SERVES

20

CALORIES PER SERVING

158

AUTHOR

Kelly Kennedy, RDN

PREP TIME

30 min

COOK TIME

10 min

TOTAL TIME

1 hr 10 min

Ingredients

2 cups almond flour

½ cup coconut flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp kosher salt

1 large egg

1 ½ tsp pure almond extract, divided

¼ cup honey

2 tbsp avocado oil

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbsp fat-free milk or nondairy milk of your choice, plus more as needed

2 tsp light corn syrup

Food coloring, as desired

Directions

1

In a large mixing bowl, whisk togetheralmond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2

In a separate bowl, combine egg, 1 tsp of almond extract, honey, and avocado oil. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add in the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

3

When ready to form the cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and add a small amount of coconut flour to a flat surface to keep the dough from sticking. Use a rolling pin to gently roll the dough to an even ¼-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using your favorite holiday cookie cutters and gently place the cookies on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. You will need either two baking sheets or to do two batches.

4

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

5

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, place the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and remaining ½ tsp almond extract. Whisk together until smooth. Add additional milk, 1 tsp at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

6

Add food coloring to the icing as desired and decorate the cookies to your heart’s content!

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving

calories

158

total fat

6g

saturated fat

0.4g

protein

4g

carbohydrates

22g

fiber

1.8g

sugar

17.1g

added sugar

15.6g

sodium

66mg

Tips

Corn syrup is used for shiny frosting that sets up better, but it’s optional.

TAGS:

Tree Nuts, Eggs, Dairy, Heart-Healthy, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Low-Sodium, Dessert

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2

5 Healthy and Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes (2)

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Whole-Wheat Ginger-Molasses Cookies

Mmmm — molasses! Cinnamon, allspice, and ginger combine to make one of the all-time favorite flavors of the season. Applesauce stands in for eggs, making this recipe completely egg-free and vegan to boot. Plus, the applesauce lends its natural sweetness, allowing for less added sugar to be used. This more nutritious spin on the classic holiday cookie is sure to become a family favorite.

contains Wheat

4.8 out of 8 reviews

PREP TIME

15 min

COOK TIME

10 min

TOTAL TIME

25 min

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup whole-wheat flour

1 ½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp kosher salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground allspice

2 tsp ground ginger

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup light-tasting olive oil

¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

¼ cup molasses

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2

In a mixing bowl, whisk together both kinds of flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger.

3

In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, olive oil, applesauce, and molasses. Use a spatula to gently add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.

4

Roll into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between cookies.

5

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 13 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving

calories

159

total fat

5g

saturated fat

0.7g

protein

2g

carbohydrates

28g

fiber

1.3g

sugar

13.9g

added sugar

13.4g

sodium

227mg

TAGS:

Wheat, Vegetarian, Vegan, Family-Friendly, Dessert

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3

5 Healthy and Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes (3)

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Healthier Snowball Cookies

Snowball cookies add a wintery whiteness to any holiday cookie platter, but because they’re traditionally made with lots of butter and sugar, the unhealthy saturated fat and added sugars add up quickly. In this recipe, you will find heart-healthy olive oil and a smaller amount of sugar in their place. Using almond flour as the base makes these cookies gluten-free and the American Heart Association notes that eating walnuts, like those in these cookies, may help to lower bad cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.

contains Tree Nuts

5.0 out of 7 reviews

SERVES

30

CALORIES PER SERVING

127

AUTHOR

Kelly Kennedy, RDN

PREP TIME

10 min

COOK TIME

15 min

TOTAL TIME

25 min

Ingredients

2 cups almond flour

1 ¼ cup powdered sugar, divided

¾ cup light-tasting olive oil

¾ cup walnuts, finely chopped

¾ tsp pure almond extract

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 pinch kosher salt

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2

Place the almond flour, ½ cup powdered sugar, and olive oil in a mixing bowl. Stir until just combined.

3

Add the walnuts, extracts, and salt. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed. The mixture should hold together. If it is too dry, add a small amount of water until it reaches the desired texture.

4

Form into small balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are set, about 15 to 17 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

5

Once cooled, place the remaining ¾ cup of powdered sugar in a small bowl and roll the cookies, one at a time, in the sugar until evenly coated.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving

calories

127

total fat

10g

saturated fat

0.9g

protein

2g

carbohydrates

7g

fiber

0.7g

sugar

4.5g

added sugar

3.9g

sodium

3mg

TAGS:

Tree Nuts, Diabetes-Friendly, Heart-Healthy, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Low-Sodium, Family-Friendly, Dessert

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4

5 Healthy and Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes (4)

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Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies

Chocolate and peppermint are two quintessential holiday flavors. This recipe uses almond butter in place of butter to cut back on unhealthy saturated fats and increase the protein at the same time, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This makes for a cookie that’s not only healthier for your ticker, but also more filling — helping you stick to your planned portion.

contains Eggs, Tree Nuts

5.0 out of 4 reviews

SERVES

12

CALORIES PER SERVING

195

AUTHOR

Kelly Kennedy, RDN

PREP TIME

15 min

COOK TIME

10 min

TOTAL TIME

25 min

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted almond butter

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

2 large eggs

1 tsp pure peppermint extract

¼ tsp kosher salt

2 candy canes, crushed

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2

In a mixing bowl, stir together almond butter, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, eggs, extract, and salt. Stir until just combined.

3

Roll by the heaping tablespoon into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.

4

Bake in the preheated oven until set, about 10 to 12 minutes.

5

While the cookies are still warm, top each cookie with a sprinkle of crushed candy canes.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving

calories

195

total fat

13g

saturated fat

1.5g

protein

6g

carbohydrates

17g

fiber

3.5g

sugar

10.8g

added sugar

9.7g

sodium

80mg

TAGS:

Eggs, Tree Nuts, Heart-Healthy, Vegetarian, Low-Sodium, Family-Friendly, Dessert

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5

5 Healthy and Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes (5)

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oats are perhaps the greatest unsung heroes of baking. They’re an easy add-in to recipes and lend a meatier texture to the final product. In addition, they’re packed with nutrition. For example, oats are high in a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which the American Heart Association links to improved cholesterol levels.

contains Wheat, Tree Nuts, Eggs

5.0 out of 7 reviews

SERVES

16

CALORIES PER SERVING

138

AUTHOR

Kelly Kennedy, RDN

PREP TIME

15 min

COOK TIME

10 min

TOTAL TIME

25 min

Ingredients

1 cup old-fashioned oats

¾ cup whole-wheat flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp kosher salt

2 tbsp natural peanut butter

1 large egg

1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

½ cup honey

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2

Add oats, flour, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.

3

In a separate bowl, whisk together peanut butter, egg, vanilla, and honey. Stir until smooth. Add wet ingredients to the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Gently fold in chocolate chips.

4

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet leaving room between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden-brown, about 9 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or cooled.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving

calories

138

total fat

4g

saturated fat

1.5g

protein

3g

carbohydrates

24g

fiber

2.2g

sugar

12.8g

added sugar

12.7g

sodium

29mg

TAGS:

Wheat, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Heart-Healthy, Vegetarian, Low-Sodium, Family-Friendly, Dessert

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5 Healthy and Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 1 Christmas cookie? ›

Based on this data from General Mills, Peanut Butter Blossoms are the most popular Christmas cookie in the country; it's the most-visited cookie recipe in seven states, which means it's the most common favorite cookie in the U.S. That's a pretty high honor!

What is the healthiest cookie to eat? ›

10+ Healthy Cookies That You Can Eat Every Day
  1. No-Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies. ...
  2. Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies. ...
  3. Flourless Oatmeal Shortbread Cookies. ...
  4. Flourless Strawberry Shortcake Cookies. ...
  5. Healthy No Sugar Banana Cookies. ...
  6. Flourless Oatmeal Cookies With Chocolate Chunks. ...
  7. 10-Minute Healthy No-Bake Chocolate Cookies.

What is the secret to a good cookie? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  • Always use butter.
  • Choose the right sugar.
  • Choose the right flour.
  • Check your flour is in date.
  • Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  • Cream the butter and sugar.
  • Beat in the eggs.
  • Fold in the flour.

What is the least favorite Christmas cookie? ›

On the naughty list of cookies, Americans gave the lowest win records to anise cookies, which only won 29% of its matchups. Other low performers included chai sugar cookies (30%), pfeffernusse (31%), spritz cookies (32%), and meringue cookies (34%).

What are the top 5 cookies in America? ›

Top 10 Cookie Flavors
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies. Chocolate chip cookies are the quintessential cookie. ...
  • Snickerdoodle. ...
  • Sugar Cookies. ...
  • Peanut Butter Cookies. ...
  • White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies. ...
  • Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. ...
  • Gingerbread Cookies. ...
  • Black & White Cookies.

Can homemade cookies be healthy? ›

You can use better quality ingredients, it isn't packed with preservatives, and you can substitute healthier versions of some of the ingredients. For example, you could substitute the sugar for a stevia based sweetner (though these tend to be expensive), or a lower GI flour such as spelt flour.

What is the world's Favourite cookie? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

Do healthy cookies exist? ›

Additionally, chocolate cookies and chocolate chip cookies that are made with whole wheat flour or oats are more nutritious. When you're craving something sweet, you can also opt for an oatmeal raisin cookie, which contains whole grain oats that will help you stay full for longer.

Can you eat cookies while trying to lose weight? ›

Regularly eating foods like cookies, cakes, and pastries can make weight loss difficult. They're often high in calories, sugar, and saturated fat. And large quantities of these foods aren't good for our health. You don't have to completely cut baked sweets from your diet.

Will 3 cookies ruin my diet? ›

While one cookie a day isn't going to completely derail your diet goals, it's often easy to eat more than one at a time, and soon enough, downing quite a few cookies throughout the day could lead to unwanted pounds.

What is healthier than cookies? ›

Oats provide a chewy texture and a satisfying fullness, while dark chocolate offers a rich, sweet flavor. This swap is healthier due to the fiber in oats and antioxidants in dark chocolate, with less sugar overall. The creamy texture and natural sweetness can satisfy cookie cravings.

What makes a delicious cookie? ›

A perfect cookie is a slightly crunchy and crisp outside from the crumb's air pockets. In the center, it's softer. The chocolate gives us a melty, dense mouthfeel. The caramelized butter, sugar, vanilla, chocolate, and subtle notes of salt offer a balanced flavor profile.

What makes cookies taste better? ›

Instead of margarine or shortening, add butter to your cookie mix. Butter results in a richer flavor, which makes sense when you consider it started as cream! Margarine contains more water than fat. This means your cookies spread while baking, resulting in thin cookies with a gummy texture.

What is the most popular cookie for Santa? ›

Chocolate Chip cookies

You can never go wrong with these classic, delicious cookies. Santa himself lists these as his favorites, and he prefers them soft and gooey with lots of chocolate chips. If you decide to leave these out for him, make sure there's a glass of cold milk nearby!

What is the #1 best-selling cookie in America? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What is the most popular Christmas candy? ›

According to America's Favorite Christmas Candy by State Report, a comprehensive study by research firm HubScore that delved into a survey of the top 20 favorite Christmas candies, Kit Kat ranked top in 13 states followed by a tie between Skittles and candy canes, both ranked top in six states.

What was the first cookie associated with Christmas? ›

Gingerbread has existed in some form since sugars and spices were brought back to Europe, from soldiers in the Crusades. However, it was not until Queen Victoria and Prince Albert included it with a variety of other German Christmas traditions that the gingerbread cookies became primarily associated with Christmas.

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