Ah, Christmastime! From fond family memories to delectably sweet treats, this time of year holds a special place in many of our hearts. When I think of Christmas, one of the first things I think of is Christmas cookies.
However, the heavy emphasis on cookie recipes during this time of the year can be a disaster waiting to happen for those who prioritize healthy eating. On one hand, you don’t want to ingest all the fat, sugar and calories found in your typical easy cookie recipe. On the other hand, you don’t want to be a Grinch and thumb your nose at all that holiday cheer. What is a healthy eater to do?
Compromise, of course! This holiday season, you can have your cookie and eat it, too. When you make Christmas cookie recipes at home using wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, skim milk, all-natural margarine alternatives, you can make healthy cookie recipes perfect for the season. Here are my 10 favorite Christmas cookie recipes:
Gingerbread Men – What makes this recipe so great for your health is that it has no milk or eggs in it at all, plus it uses all-natural, no-calorie stevia instead of sugar.
Sugar Cutout Cookies – Sugar cookie recipes are usually the most dangerous baked goods because they are not filling at all. This vegan recipe uses whole wheat pastry flour and stevia to make it light and sweet, yet healthy.
Super Simple Peanut Butter Cookies – With only four ingredients, it’s hard to beat the simplicity of this dessert, one of my all-time favorite peanut butter cookie recipes.
No Bake Nutella Oatmeal Cookies – This is the best oatmeal cookie recipe ever because it is gluten free and requires no baking at all.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies – The mint extract makes this chocolate chip cookie recipe ideal for pairing with peppermint and candy canes.
Ginger Cookies – You’ll be shocked to know that each cookie is only 78 calories!
Chocolate Wintergreen Cookies – This chocolate cookie recipe uses two types to extract, which adds heaps of flavor without contributing sugar or calories.
Pecan Cookies – With only five ingredients, this healthy recipe is ideal for those who are not experts at making Christmas cookie recipes. Plus, pecans are a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Vanilla Almond Cookies – This may sound like one of the most decadent Christmas cookie recipes, but that is not the case at all! Sugar substitute and egg whites ensure that this super simple dessert recipe is more or less guilt free.
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Snickerdoodles – What is your favorite snickerdoodle cookie recipe? I know not everyone likes the taste of whole wheat flour in baked goods, but I don’t think you’ll taste a difference here.
Your turn: What are your favorite easy cookie recipes to make for the holidays?
Matthew Kaplan is the Editor for FaveDiets.com, a free online resource featuring hundreds of free healthy recipes, healthy cooking tips and loads more. Be sure to check out FaveDiets on Facebook and on Twitter.