Do you want to spread some holiday cheer with your friends and family this year? Christmas is a time to enjoy treats with family and friends, so why not make it extra special by baking some healthier holiday cookies? This list of recipes will help you lighten up your Christmas with delicious and nutritious options for everyone to enjoy!
Goal: A Healthier Cookie With All The Flavor
It’s that time of year again! The Christmas season is in full swing, and that means it’s time to start thinking about holiday baking. The holidays are a time for indulgence, and that often means cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. But if you’re trying to eat healthy, it can feel like you have to choose between your health and your holiday spirit.
Luckily, it is possible to bake healthy Christmas cookies! All the cookies on this list are made with a mix of wholesome, nourishing ingredients, lots of spices, and natural unrefined sweeteners. So you can indulge your sweet tooth without sacrificing your health goals.
Plus, baking healthy Christmas cookies is a great way to get in the holiday spirit! There’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies to make your home feel warm and welcoming.
Looking for more tips and tricks on healthy eating?
Recipe #1 Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Whether you’re looking for a classic cookie to add to your plate or something a little healthier, these almond thumbprint cookies are the perfect treat. Made with just six ingredients, they are deliciously crumbly and come with a healthy twist – homemade jam!
I like to make a double batch of the dough and freeze it so that I can have fresh cookies all season long. Just pop them in the oven for a few minutes, and you’ll have freshly baked cookies in no time! Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself, these cookies are sure to be a hit!
For the cookies:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 5 tablespoons white almond butter – or cashews butter
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder – or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the jam (homemade):
- 1 cup frozen berries
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
For the jam (store-bought):
- 1/3 cup berry jam
Make the jam:
- If making your own jam, place the frozen berries and maple syrup in a small saucepan and bring to medium heat. Once bubbling, reduce the heat slightly and keep stirring while mashing the fruit using a wooden spoon. Continue cooking for 10-12 minutes, occasionally mashing the fruit to combine until you reach a jam-like consistency. Then set it aside, and let it cool while you prepare the cookies.
Make the cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 320F (160C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the almond flour, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until it all comes together into a soft dough ball.
- Divide the dough into 20 equally-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a-1 inch ball. Place onto the baking sheet, flatten each ball down slightly with the palm of your hand, then press a thumbprint into the center of each ball, 1/2” deep. Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of berry jam or enough to fill the hole.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden. The cookies themselves will still be quite pale.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on a cooling rack before enjoying them.
Are you hitting the road this holiday season? Learn more about meals for your road trip.
Recipe #2 Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies
If you’re looking for a healthier holiday treat this year, try these Ginger Molasses Cookies with coconut flour, applesauce, almond butter, and a hint of lemon. They’re delicious and sure to put you in the holiday spirit!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (130g) almond butter
- 1/2 cup (130g) unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup (50g) coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup (80g) blackstrap molasses
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (60g) coconut flour
- 1/2 cup (60g) tapioca starch
- Optional: cane sugar (for sprinkling on top to make them sparkle)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- In a mixing bowl, combine the almond butter, applesauce, coconut sugar, and molasses. Beat using an electric mixer until well combined.
- Add the lemon juice, spices, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Mix.
- Add the coconut flour and tapioca starch. Mix to form a thick dough. It should be very sticky but manageable enough to roll into balls. If not (varies with the thickness/oily-ness of nut butter usually), add 1-2 more tbsp of coconut flour.
- Break off large sections of dough and roll them into balls. Arrange on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Approximately 1012 cookies.
- Sprinkle with sugar (if using) and press lightly to flatten.
- Bake for approximately 12 minutes at 350F or until the tops are crackly and the bottom edges just starting to darken.
- Remove from the oven and cool for at least 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Enjoy!
In Closing: Christmas Cookies To Indulge In The Season
In conclusion, these recipes for Christmas cookies are a great way to get creative with your baking this holiday season. Not only are they sure to be a hit in the kitchen, but you’ll also be able to enjoy them without feeling guilty about overindulging! So grab your favorite ingredients and start baking—you won’t regret it! Happy baking!
Are you looking toward starting your health journey in the New Year? Check out these 3 steps to get started!
I can help you commit to new habits and stay motivated while addressing the underlying problems that have taken a toll on your life. Together, we can get you off that emotional roller coaster and onto a healthy path with more balance in your life. Book a free consultation call today and start feeling better tomorrow.
