Deliciously Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes
It’s that time of year again—time to bust out the holiday decorations, sip some eggnog, and whip up a batch of delicious Christmas cookies. But if you’re trying to watch what you eat or just don’t want to indulge in too many sweets this season, never fear! We have compiled a list of healthy cookie recipes that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit without compromising your health. Read on for deliciousness!
Cinnamon Walnut Snowballs
These little cinnamon-y treats are perfect for anyone who loves a good snickerdoodle. The recipe calls for whole wheat flour and almond flour, so these cookies are definitely healthier than traditional ones. Plus, they feature walnuts which contain omega-3 fatty acids known to reduce inflammation and promote heart health.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond or whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter or ghee, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated coconut sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 cups finely chopped walnuts (you can also use pecans or almonds)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla extract until combined.
4. Slowly add in flour mixture to butter mixture, stirring until just combined. Stir in cinnamon and walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Scoop out dough by the tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between them as they will spread during baking. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let cool completely before enjoying!
Quinoa Gingerbread Cookies
This recipe is a twist on the classic gingerbread cookie, but with one major difference—it has quinoa! Quinoa is an amazing source of plant-based protein as well as magnesium, iron, and fiber. These cookies are also made with coconut oil instead of butter which makes them dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cooked quinoa (or quinoa flakes)
- 3/4 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup coconut brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups alomond flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheet.
2. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, vegetable oil, brown sugar, vanilla extract and eggs until well blended. In another large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger and nutmeg until combined.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in two batches; mix until just blended after each addition. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto greased cookie sheet about an inch apart from each other. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute before transferring to cooling rack. Enjoy!
Green Tea Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies are the perfect combination of healthy and tasty, with a hint of sweetness from the green tea. The oats provide fiber and protein to help fill you up, while the green tea helps to boost your mood and provide antioxidants to fight off cancer-causing free radicals.
Ingredients:
-1 cup (250g) almond flour
-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-3 tablespoons (45g) matcha green tea powder or 2 bags of matcha tea steeped in 1/4 cup warm water for 3 minutes.
-3/4 cup (113g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
-3/4 cup (150g) light brown coconut sugar, packed
-1 large egg, at room temperature
-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
-2 cups (200g) gluten free oats
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and matcha green tea powder until combined. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl using an electric mixer cream together butter and brown sugar until light and creamy. Add egg and vanilla extract; beat until combined. On low speed gradually add flour mixture into the wet ingredients; mix just until incorporated. Do not over mix! Add oats; mix just until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Using a cookie scoop or two tablespoons shape cookie dough into balls about 1 - 1 1/2 tablespoon size each drop onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart from each other; press down lightly on top of each cookie ball with your fingers or the back of a spoon to slightly flatten them out.
5. Bake for about 11 - 13 minutes or until edges turn golden brown; let cookies cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
Whether you’re looking for something sweet to snack on or just want to try something new this holiday season, these healthy Christmas cookie recipes will hit the spot! With ingredients like quinoa, oats, and green tea powder all featured in these recipes, you can enjoy your favorite holiday treats without feeling guilty about it afterwards. So grab your baking supplies and get ready to make some delicious (and nutritious!) Christmas cookies!