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 8 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

Which cookie has been deemed most popular during Christmas? ›

Sugar Cookie is the preferred choice by 36% of people during Christmas in the United States.

What is the least fattening cookie? ›

10+ Low-Calorie Cookies
  • Oreo Chunk White Chocolate Chip Cookies.
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cool Whip Cookies.
  • Key Lime Pie Cookies.
  • Peanut Butter Cookies.
  • Oatmeal Cookies Without Eggs.
  • Maple Oatmeal Cookies.
  • White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies (with protein powder)
  • Kitchen Sink Cookies (with protein powder)
Oct 31, 2023

Can homemade cookies be healthy? ›

Additionally, you can increase the nutritional value of homemade cookies by substituting ingredients, such as refined sugar and white flour, for healthier alternatives. You can also add nuts, oats, or dried fruit to your chocolate chip cookie for a protein and antioxidant boost.

Are cookies OK for weight loss? ›

BOTTOM LINE: The Cookie Diet may result in short-term weight loss, but no studies support its effectiveness. It relies heavily on prepackaged cookies, is highly restrictive, and does not provide guidance on how to maintain weight loss without cookies.

What is the least popular Christmas cookie? ›

On the naughty list of cookies, Americans gave the lowest win records to anise cookies, which only won 29% of its matchups.

What is Santa Claus's favorite cookie? ›

Chocolate Chip 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 America's favorite holiday cookie? ›

Among those who can make a single choice, frosted sugar cookies lead the list (32%), with gingerbread (12%) and chocolate chip (11%) rounding out the top three. Snickerdoodles (6%) come in fourth place, followed by butter (4%), peanut butter (4%), and chocolate (4%) tying for fifth.

What is the most popular cookie in December? ›

What are the most popular Christmas cookies? Our survey found frosted sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies to be the most popular Christmas cookies in the country. They were the fan favorites in 39 states.

What is the number one cookie in the world? ›

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 are the top 5 favorite cookies? ›

Some of the most popular cookie flavors include:
  • Chocolate chip.
  • Peanut butter.
  • Peanut butter blossoms.
  • Double chocolate chip.
  • Snickerdoodle.
  • Sugar.
  • Shortbread.
  • Pumpkin.

Is there a healthy cookie to eat? ›

Oatmeal raisin probably has the best fiber/whole grain, flourless chocolate is better if you're trying to be low carb, meringues are probably lowest calorie. I'd say oatmeal raisin is a very nutritious cookie.

Do healthy cookies exist? ›

Healthiest Breakfast Cookies

These cookies from the blog Choosing Chia pack gluten-free rolled oats, almond flour, nut butter, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds, plus four types of seeds: sunflower, pumpkin, chia, and sesame.

Can cookies be healthy? ›

Most health professionals don't think so. But it is possible to make cookies with health benefits, as long as they include certain ingredients. Specifically, one can follow a recipe that uses grain and seed flours, like quinoa and chia, which favor a healthier use of nutrients in the body.

Are any cookies good for you? ›

Just because you're eating a cookie doesn't mean you're eating something that's not good for you. There are a lot of healthy cookie options out there. There are vegan cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, whole wheat cookies, and even breakfast cookies with grains, nuts, and dried fruit.

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