‘Tis the season to indulge in delightful treats that bring comfort and joy to your gatherings. In the spirit of this special time of year, we’ve curated a collection of 15 delicious and healthy holiday cookie recipes designed to make your seasonal baking both easy and health-conscious.
Explore our favorite guilt-free cookies, each crafted with wholesome ingredients, innovative flavors, and alternatives for various dietary preferences. From the simplicity of Easy Gingerbread Cookies to the richness of Grain-Free Chocolate Coconut Cookies, these recipes prioritize both ease of preparation and nutritional benefits. Whether sweetened naturally or accommodating special diets, these cookie recipes aim to enhance your holiday celebrations with joy, flavor, and well-being.
Without further ado, join us in creating delicious memories with our healthy Christmas cookie recipes roundup. Happy holiday baking!
1. Easy Gingerbread Cookies
Create delightful memories with these easy gingerbread cookies— a perfect holiday treat for the family. Designed with simplicity in mind, these cookies are kid-friendly, using basic ingredients such as white whole-wheat flour, maple syrup, and molasses. The dough, easily mixed by hand, can be rolled, cut into gingerbread men or other festive shapes, and baked to perfection, allowing for creative icing and decorating.
2. Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
Indulge in guilt-free goodness with these healthy oatmeal cookies. Packed with wholesome ingredients like applesauce, honey, and whole grains, these soft and chewy cookies are a delightful treat. The mix-ins of dark chocolate chips, raisins, and nuts add layers of flavor and texture, making them a perfect go-to for a healthy holiday dessert or snack option.
3. Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Indulge in guilt-free delight with these healthy chocolate chip cookies. Soft, chewy, and satisfyingly sweet, these cookies are a perfect blend of flavor and texture. With the goodness of oat flour, a touch of sweetness from coconut or brown sugar, and the richness of chocolate chips, these cookies are a healthier alternative to traditional ones. Plus, they are versatile, accommodating various dietary preferences like vegan and gluten-free. Whether you prefer them soft or crisp, these cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion.
4. Low Sugar Christmas Cookie Recipe
Celebrate the holidays with low-sugar Christmas cookies, a kid-friendly treat made with natural sweetness from applesauce and dates, eliminating refined sugar. Vegan, egg-free, and dairy-free, these festive holiday cookies are soft and perfect for young children, toddlers, and baby-led weaning. Easily adaptable to gluten-free options, they offer a healthier alternative for holiday celebrations, providing a delightful and guilt-free indulgence for the whole family.
5. Grain-Free Chocolate Coconut Cookies
Indulge in the decadence of grain-free chocolate coconut cookies that are not only vegan but also gluten-free, oil-free, and ready fast with a total time of 20 minutes. With crispy edges, a fudgy and chewy center, and the perfect blend of chocolate and coconut, these cookies are a delightful treat. The recipe, requiring only 8 ingredients, including almond flour and shredded coconut, offers a delicious solution for those on grain-free and gluten-free diets, making them a quick and satisfying dessert option.
6. Healthy Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
Savor the deliciousness of healthy flourless peanut butter cookies that are not only easy to make but also low in calories. With just 79 kcal each, these cookies boast a perfect blend of tenderness and chewiness. The gluten-free recipe uses simple ingredients like peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla to create a guilt-free treat that can be enjoyed without compromising on taste.
7. Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookies
Enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of almond flour thumbprint cookies, a gluten-free and vegan treat. These cookies, made with blanched almond flour, maple syrup, coconut oil, and delightful extracts, are both easy to prepare and versatile. The one-bowl recipe allows for a variety of jam fillings, from classic raspberry to decadent chocolate, making them perfect for any occasion. With a tender almond texture, these cookies offer a delightful alternative to traditional versions; they might just become your favorite cookie in your holiday baking repertoire.
8. Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies
Savor the essence of pecan pie in a delightful vegan twist with these chewy and gooey pecan pie cookies. These dairy-free and eggless cinnamon cookies are filled with a homemade pecan pie filling, creating a perfect combination of flavors. With a crunchy exterior and soft centers, these cookies are a festive treat for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion.
9. The Ultimate Healthy Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles, a beloved type of sugar cookie, stand out with their cinnamon sugar coating and a unique ingredient: cream of tartar, which contributes to their chewy texture and subtle tang. The origins of the name are uncertain, with theories ranging from a play on the German word “schnecken” to a New England creation in the late 1800s. The recipe offers a healthier twist, featuring whole wheat flour, minimal butter, and options for gluten-free and vegan adaptations. The key to achieving the perfect texture involves measuring ingredients accurately, controlling sugar levels for desired thickness, and following tips such as chilling the cookie dough and coating it generously with cinnamon sugar.
10. Keto Shortbread Cookies
Indulge in the rich and flaky goodness of keto shortbread cookies made with almond flour. This recipe, yielding six delightful treats, features a buttery blend of European butter, stevia glycerite, and pure vanilla extract. Enjoy these golden cookies as a perfect accompaniment to keto hot chocolate or savor them with iced coffee, and explore variations by experimenting with different flavor extracts.
11. Chewy Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Indulge in the festive delight of chewy double chocolate peppermint cookies, a perfect union of rich chocolate and cool mint, perfectly representative of the Christmas season. Prepared in just 30 minutes using one bowl, these cookies offer a luscious texture and a decadent peppermint flavor. With a simple ingredient list, including unsalted butter, sugar, peppermint extract, and dark chocolate chips, these treats are a holiday favorite for quick and delicious baking.
12. The Best Small Batch Brownie Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Satisfy your chocolate cravings with these irresistible small-batch brownie cookies. Flourless and gluten-free, these fudgy delights are a chocolate lover’s dream. Melted bittersweet chocolate and optional dark chocolate chips, butter, and a touch of cornstarch create a velvety texture, while the beating method ensures a shiny crinkle crust. With minimal ingredients and a quick 30-minute prep time, this small batch recipe yields 8-10 cookies, perfect for a quick chocolate fix.
13. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Indulge in the simplicity of no-bake white chocolate cranberry cookies, requiring only 6 ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare. With a secretly healthy twist—no white flour, refined sugar, or butter—these cookies offer a perfect blend of chewiness, sweetness, and festive flavors. Customize with your favorite mix-ins, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for a convenient and delightful treat.
14. Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies (gluten free, grain free, paleo friendly)
Enjoy a healthier twist on traditional sugar cookies with these soft cut out sugar cookies. Made with almond flour, these gluten-free and grain-free cookies are also paleo-friendly and easily dairy-free. The combination of almond flour and coconut flour gives these cookies a delightful sweetness without needing excessive sweetener. The dough is easy to work with, allowing you to roll, cut, and shape the cookies for festive decorations. The vanilla buttercream frosting adds a perfect finishing touch, making these soft sugar cookies with tender middles a delightful treat for the holiday season or any occasion.
15. Sugar Free Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
This easy recipe for sugar-free peanut butter blossom cookies provides a delightful twist on the classic treat, accommodating various dietary preferences such as low-carb, keto, and gluten-free. The cookies feature a sugar-free peanut butter base and can be customized with homemade sugar-free chocolate kisses or pre-made sugar-free peanut butter cups. With a simple preparation process, these cookies offer a guilt-free indulgence for those seeking a healthier alternative.