Healthy Christmas Cookies

Written by Sabrina Goodman, RN, CNS

The period of time between Christmas and New Years often feels like a blur of overeating and indulgence. From the pumpkin pie to the turkey full of stuffing, it feels like there is nothing you can eat at this time that will not add the pounds onto your thighs. In an effort to stay fit and healthy during the festive season many people choose to stick to a restrictive diet. Fortunately, we are here to tell you that the one thing you do not have to give up is those delicious Christmas cookies. With a little planning, you can indulge in tasty, festive cookies that are free of all of the guilt. In this article, we will provide you with all of the best Christmas cookies recipes.

1. Chewy Keto Ginger Cookies

Are you on a strict low carbohydrate diet (1) and dreaming of feasting on ginger cookies like you did when you were a child? Then these low-carb chewy ginger cookies are just the thing you have been looking for.

Ingredients:

2 cups of almond flour

2 tablespoons grass-fed gelatin (2)

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

½ a cup of softened butter

1/2 a cup of almond butter

1 cup of granular sweetener

2 room temperature eggs

2 teaspoons of yacon syrup (3)

1/2 a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Method:

1. Before you begin, heat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit and line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium-sized bowl you should whisk together the almond flour, grass-fed gelatin, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and ground cloves.
3. In a separate, large bowl you will want to beat together the softened butter, almond butter, and granular sweetener.
4. Once they are well combined you need to add the eggs, yacon syrup and vanilla.
5. Next, add the dry mix and combine until a dough begins to form.
6. Finally, it is time to get your hands dirty. Roll the dough into golf ball sized balls and place them on your pre-prepared baking sheets a few inches apart.
7. Place the baking trays in your hot oven for about 12 minutes or until they are lightly browned.

Not only are these cookies delicious but they will not leave you feeling guilty. One serving of these cookies, which is equal to two cookies, contains a whopping 5 grams of protein (4), 12 grams of fat, and only 4 grams of carbohydrates.

Summary:

These chewy ginger cookies are a good option for individuals who are taking keto supplements and on a keto diet. Not only are they low in carbs at only four grams of carbs in a single serving but they contain a good amount of fat and protein. These cookies are relatively simple to make and require you to mix the wet and dry ingredients to form a dough. The dough can then be baked for twelve minutes before being cooled and enjoyed.

2. Walnut And Cardamom Snowballs

Nothing says Christmas quite like biting into a tender, powdered sugar covered snowball. These Christmas cookies are not only packed with protein but they are low in sugar and will not cause you to experience any of the negative effects of eating sugar, like spikes in your blood sugar levels (5).

Ingredients:

2 cups of almond flour

1 cup of finely chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons of coconut flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

3/4 teaspoon of coarsely ground cardamom

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/2 a cup of softened butter

1/2 a cup of granulated erythritol

1 large egg

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon of stevia extract

Powdered sugar

Method:

1. These delicious cookies are incredibly easy to make. First, preheat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit.
2. Then, simply mix together almond flour, walnuts, coconut flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt.
3. Next, you should add the wet ingredients: softened butter, granulated erythritol, egg, vanilla extract, and stevia extract.
4. Once you notice a dough forming stop mixing the ingredients and shape them into small balls.
5. Place the balls of cookie dough onto a baking tray that has been lined with baking paper and place in the preheated oven.
6. Let your snowballs bake until they are a pale golden color or for 18 minutes. Once your cookies come out of the oven you should let them cool completely.
7. After they are entirely cool you can take your cookies and roll them in your favorite powdered sugar before enjoying with a cup of tea.

Summary:

These flavorful cookies are the perfect Christmas treat. Not only are they low in sugar and high in protein but they will also help to prevent you from experiencing blood sugar spikes. To make these cookies you should mix your dry ingredients well before adding the wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly and when a dough forms take small pieces and roll into balls. Bake these cookies for 18 minutes at 325° Fahrenheit, or until they are a pale gold color.

3. Maple, Almond Butter and Chocolate Chunk Cookies

It may be controversial, but we believe that this may just be the best Christmas cookies 2018. With just five simple ingredients you will never be able to believe how easy and healthy these cookies are. The simple inclusion of almonds in this recipe will provide your body with a large amount of vitamin E (6). Additionally, almonds contain a good amount of manganese and magnesium (7). These are all nutrients that are crucial for your body to function healthily.

Ingredients:

1 large egg

1 cup almond butter

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup roughly chopped dark chocolate

Method:

1. To make these cookies you should preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.
2. While you are waiting for your oven to heat up, whisk one large egg until it is well beaten.
3. Then add the almond butter (that it is at room temperature), maple syrup and baking soda.
4. Mix all the ingredients together before adding in 3/4 of a cup of roughly chopped dark chocolate.
5. Once your dough has been thoroughly mixed use a small ice-cream scoop to spoon the dough onto your baking tray. Use the back of a spoon to flatten the dough slightly before sprinkling with sea salt.
6. Place your cookies in a hot oven for 10 minutes for perfectly soft and gooey cookies. If you would like your cookies to be slightly crispier, leave them in the oven for 12 minutes.

Summary:

These delicious cookies contain a large number of almonds that are packed with vital minerals and vitamins. Almonds are rich in vitamin E, magnesium and manganese among other things. To make these cookies, mix together almond butter, baking soda, maple syrup, and one large egg. Scoop your cookie dough onto a prepared baking tray before flattening and sprinkling with sea salt. Then you can bake your cookies in a hot oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Gluten Free Fig Newtons

Fig Newtons are a classic treat. However, it is quite an unhealthy treat that should not be indulged in too frequently. However, with a few simple tweaks, you can whip up a batch of this gluten free (8) snack that will not be as devastating to your waistline as their original counterparts.

Ingredients:

Cookie:

1/4 cup of gluten free oats

1 cup of raw almonds

1 cup of raw pecans

1/4 teaspoon of sea salt

1 and 1/4 cups of firmly packed pitted dates

Filling:

8 - 10 pitted dates

8 ounces of dried figs

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

1 pinch of cardamom

1 pinch of sea salt

Method:

1. To make the cookie dough, take gluten free oats, almonds, pecans, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and the 1 and ¼ cups of dates and blitz them in your food processor until a firm dough forms.
2. For the filling, steep eight to ten pitted dates and 8 ounces of dried figs in hot water until they are rehydrated.
3. Discard the water then add in the orange zest, cardamom and sea salt and blend in your food processor until a paste forms.
4. Once your cookie dough and filling has been prepared, press the cookie dough mixture in a pre-prepared baking dish in one even layer.
5. Spread the filling over the bottom layer and top with another layer of cookie dough.
6. Then you can place the mixture in the freezer overnight before slicing into even squares.

This is an excellent Christmas cookie recipe because not only is it quick and easy to prepare but it is rather healthy as well. This recipe is low in sugar, gluten-free, and packed with fiber (9).

Summary:

This is a healthy version of an old favorite, not only is it gluten free but it is also rather low in sugar. Simply blend together gluten-free oats, nuts, and dates to form a cookie dough. In a separate bowl blend together the ingredients for the cookies filling. Then you should firmly press the cookie dough into a pre prepared pan before spreading a layer of the filling over the base and topping with a final layer of cookie dough. Let your fig newtons rest in the freezer overnight before cutting into even squares and enjoying.

5. Oat Chip Cookies

If you ask anyone what their favorite Christmas cookie is, there is quite a high chance that their answer will be chocolate chip cookies. Sadly, the standard chocolate chip cookie is far from healthy. Packed with sugar (10), refined white flour and unhealthy fats, they should be the last treat you reach for this festive season.

Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this problem. The humble oat chip cookie is the healthiest alternative to the old fashioned chocolate chip cookie that will not leave you wanting more. These cookies are delicious, free from added sugar, and contain a large amount of dietary fiber.

Ingredients:

2 large bananas

1 cup rolled oats

2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Method:

1. To make these cookies, preheat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit and line a cookie tray with a silicone baking sheet.
2. Add two large bananas to a food processor and blend until there are no visible chunks of bananas.
3. Next, add in a cup of rolled oats before pulsing the banana and oat mixture until it is well combined.
4. Finally fold in two tablespoons of chocolate chips to the cookie dough.
5. Use a tablespoon to place small heaps of the cookie mixture on your baking tray. Remember to leave adequate space between the cookies as they tend to spread out a little during the baking process.
6. Bake your oat chip cookies for approximately 12 minutes or until they are light brown.

Not only are these Christmas Cookies delicious but they are sure to convince even the pickiest eater that healthy eating does not have to be boring.

Summary:

Most people enjoy indulging in a chocolate chip cookie during Christmas time. However, these cookies are often not very healthy. If you follow this excellent recipe you may not have to say goodbye to those chocolate chip cookies for good. Blend two large bananas with rolled oats until they are well combined and there are no visible chunks of banana. Fold in two tablespoons of chocolate chips and bake your cookies in a 325° Fahrenheit oven for twelve minutes or until your cookies are light brown.

6. Apple Pie Cookies

These are another example of the perfect Christmas cookies that contain the quintessential Christmas flavors. Not only do these cookies have the ultimate festive taste but they are soft and chewy. The best part of all one of these delicious cookies contains less than 100 calories.

Ingredients:

1 cup of instant oats

3/4 of a cup of whole wheat flour

1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 and 1/2 teaspoons of salt

2 tablespoons of coconut oil

1 large egg

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 a cup of agave syrup

1 cup of finely chopped red apple

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit.
2. Whisk together the instant oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Then, mix together the coconut oil, egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, agave syrup and chopped apple.
4. Drop 15 ice-cream scoops of the cookie dough on a parchment lined cookie tray before baking for 15 minutes.
5. Just remember that it is incredibly important to remember both the oats and the flour correctly. If you do not measure these ingredients correctly your cookies will turn out crumbly instead of chewy.

Summary:

These ingredients contain the ultimate flavor of Christmas. They are soft and chewy and each cookie contains less than 100 calories, so they are guilt free. Simply mix your wet and dry ingredients and use an ice-cream scoop to place fifteen scoops of cookie dough on a parchment lined baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.

Brought to you by our expert team at Authority Health.