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  3. 26 Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes to Make for Any Festivity

26 Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes to Make for Any Festivity

By Toby Amidor, R.D. and Laura Rege Updated December 23, 2021
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Various Christmas Cookies
Credit: NatashaPhoto/Getty

Made with good-for-you, filling ingredients such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fruit, these seasonal treats are sure to satisfy your growling stomach and sweet tooth. Plus, many of the holiday cookie recipes are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or a combo of all three, so there's sure to be a dessert that fits with your dietary preferences or restrictions. Despite these nutrient-boosting upgrades, all of the treats are delicious enough to win your family's holiday cookie contest. 

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Coffee-Anise Stars

Coffee Anise Stars
Credit: Jennifer Causey
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Cinnamon and star anise powder make these cookies deliciously different. And their texture — a mix of firm and chewy — adds to their appeal. Plus, you can enjoy the holiday cookie recipe long after the festivities end; just wrap the unglazed cookies, freeze them for up to two months, and break out a handful whenever the craving strikes. (This guide will show you exactly how long your dinner leftovers can hold up in your ice box.)

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Mokonuts' Rye-Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Mokonuts’ Rye-Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Credit: Jennifer Causey
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"People come from around the world to eat at Mokonuts, a small restaurant in Paris, and everyone wants one of Moko Hirayama's cookies for dessert," says Dorie Greenspan, a James Beard Award winner and the creator of this holiday cookie recipe. "This is one of my favorites. Its texture is perfect — soft and chewy in the middle. And its flavor is just sweet enough: edgy from the bittersweet chocolate and tangy cranberries and earthy from poppy seeds and rye flour. To describe it as extraordinarily good is to understate its merits." (Related: Healthy Baking Hacks to Make Every Treat Good-for-You Too)

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Pistachio-Matcha Financiers

Pistachio-Matcha Financiers
Credit: Jennifer Causey
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ICYDK, financiers are cake-like cookies that are traditionally made with hazelnut or almond flour. Greenspan's rendition of the holiday cookie recipe, however, uses a combo of ground pistachios, matcha, and whole wheat flour. "Matcha adds gorgeous color and a very soft note of bitterness, while the whole wheat adds sweetness. I love these plain, but also
try them with a white chocolate dip, which can be tinted with matcha. If you sprinkle them with matcha or a little freeze-dried raspberry powder, they'll be holiday ready." (Put your leftover matcha to good use by whipping up a frothy latte.)

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Easy Peppermint Dark Chocolate Cookies

easy healthy peppermint dark chocolate holiday cookies
Credit: Kara Lydon, R.D., L.D.N.
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These easy peppermint dark chocolate chip cookies are made with whole wheat flour for an extra fiber punch, not to mention the antioxidant boost from the dark chocolate.

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Pumpkin Snickerdoodles with Einkorn Flour

healthy holiday cookies Pumpkin Snickerdoodles with Ancient Grain Einkorn Flour
Credit: Back To The Book Nutrition
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These fall-inspired pumpkin snickerdoodles are perfect for the entire family or any cookie swap. The holiday cookie recipe is super easy to make, dairy-free, full of nutrient-rich pumpkin, and makes use of ancient-grain einkorn flour. Research suggests that, compared to modern wheat, einkorn is higher in some nutrients including protein, phosphorus, potassium, and beta-carotene.

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Layne's Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

gluten-free Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip healthy holiday Cookies
Credit: Shutterstock
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As long as your oats and oat flour have not been processed in a facility that contains wheat, these vegan holiday cookies are also gluten-free. Just check the package for either the gluten-free claim or under the ingredient list to see if it was processed in a facility with wheat. (While you have the oven on, make a batch of these seedy vegan, gluten-free cookies too.)

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Vegan Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

Vegan Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Credit: Sharon Palmer, R.D.N., The Plant-Powered Dietitian
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Fresh cranberries give these tender shortbread cookies a festive look and taste. With crunchy almonds and a hint of zesty orange, this holiday cookie recipe is perfect for your next gathering.

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No-Flour Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches

4-Ingredient Peanut Butter healthy holiday Cookies
Credit: Real Mom Nutrition
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This holiday cookie recipe is made with five simple ingredients including whole grain oats and natural peanut butter. Though the gluten-free cookies are small, they're hearty and filling, with 4 grams of protein per cookie. Add melted chocolate chips (or more PB!) between them to make mini sandwiches.

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Healthy Cowboy Cookies

Healthy Cowboy Cookies holiday cookie swap
Credit: Emily Cooper, R.D.N. of Sinful Nutrition
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These chocolate-studded cookies can be made both vegan and gluten-free, and they don't require any added oils or sugars thanks to applesauce and mashed banana. The holiday cookie recipe only takes a few simple ingredients to make and gets a fiber boost from whole grain oats. (Use up your leftover banana with this recipe for mini pancakes.)

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Almond-Orange Mendiant Cookies

almond orange mendiant healthy holiday cookies
Credit: Danny Kim
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In this holiday cookie recipe, candied oranges and chocolate come together to create an unforgettable treat that helps you finally understand the whole "too pretty to eat" thing. 

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Pistachio-Raspberry Petits Fours

Pistachio-Raspberry Petits Fours healthy holiday cookies
Credit: Danny Kim
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Layers and layers of crust, raspberry jam, and cream cheese will have guests picking these holiday cookies up in handfuls. For a festive and healthy topping, crush dehydrated raspberries and sprinkle them on top.

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Low-Carb Chocolate Chunk Cookie Recipe

Low-Sugar, Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Credit: Regan Jones, R.D.
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These chocolaty pieces of heaven are as close to perfect as a cookie can be. Made with less sugar than traditional chocolate chunk cookies, they're also gluten-free using nutrient-rich almond flour as the base. It's a holiday cookie recipe anyone at your celebration can enjoy.

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Cranberry Pistachio and Chocolate Cookies

Cranberry Pistachio and Chocolate Cookies
Credit: Rahaf Al Bochi, R.D., L.D.
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Consider this the love child of the traditional chocolate chip cookie and, well, Christmas. These better-for-you cookies contain whole wheat pastry flour, which ups the fiber. Plus, half the butter is replaced with heart-healthy canola oil. The pistachios add healthy fat, protein, and a delicious crunch, and cranberries add sweetness and a pop of color.

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Flourless Double Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies

Flourless Double Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies
Credit: Jamie Vespa, R.D.
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These double chocolate treats celebrate the perfect union of a fudge-y brownie and chewy chocolate chip cookie. Free of gluten and dairy, and rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, this holiday cookie recipe is well-suited for those with allergies.

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Honey Cinnamon Cookies

Honey Cinnamon healthy holiday Cookies
Credit: Natalie Knezic
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Nothing says the holidays quite like cinnamon. Baking this holiday cookie recipe will make your entire house smell like a candle store—plus, they're free of refined sugar and made with whole wheat flour to help boost the fiber.

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Fall Harvest Oatmeal Cookies

Holiday Harvest Oatmeal Cookies
Credit: Kaleigh McMordie of livelytable.com
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This holiday cookie recipe features a base of whole grains and is packed with dried fruit (choose cranberries to keep it seasonal) and heart-healthy walnuts. They're not too sweet and can be made gluten-free.

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White Chocolate-Dipped Ginger-Pistachio Biscotti

White Chocolate Dipped Ginger-Pistachio Biscotti
Credit: Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D.N.
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These elegant Italian cookies are delicious and make a wonderful hostess gift. The base is a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for extra fiber. The holiday cookie recipe is also loaded with heart-healthy pistachios and antioxidant-packed dried cherries. (Related: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Biscotti Recipe for Relaxing Fall Mornings)

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Matcha Coconut Macaroons

Matcha Coconut Macaroons healthy holiday cookies
Credit: Danny Kim
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You can never go wrong with macaroons. And, if you add matcha, your holiday cookie recipe is sure to win over your friend's tastebuds. Pro tip: Corn syrup can make the matcha glaze shiny, but leave it out for more of a matte finish. (You can also use the matcha glaze in these black sesame bundt cakes for a gothic treat.)

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Almond Sugar Cookies

healthy Almond Sugar Cookies
Credit: Natalie Knezic
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Made with almond flour, whole wheat flour, and coconut oil, these treats are crunchy, nutty, and have a touch of caramel flavor. Plus, the holiday cookie recipe is dairy-free, so even your lactose intolerant friends can enjoy a plateful.

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Cardamom Chickpea Cookies

Cardamom Chickpea Cookies
Credit: Roxana Begum, Ph.D., R.D. of The Delicious Crescent
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These Persian chickpea cookies are made with gluten-free, cardamom-flavored dough, and they have an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture. The holiday cookie recipe can be made nut-free and vegan by using light olive oil in place of the ghee. Regardless of how you make them, the treats are sure to be a keeper in your recipe collection.

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Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies

healthy Whole Grain Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Credit: Lillian Yin, R.D.
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Make this holiday cookie recipe with butter or swap it out for coconut oil to create a 100 percent plant-based treat. The two-ingredient glaze adds the perfect finishing touch. Bonus: Add holiday-colored sprinkles to make them even more festive.

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Ginger Cookies with Orange Clove Icing

Ginger Cookies with Orange Clove Icing
Credit: Back To The Book Nutrition
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This holiday cookie recipe may look like Pfeffernüsse, a German spiced cookie, but they're made with einkorn flour and coated in an orange-infused icing. The best part: The treats come together in less than half an hour.

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Chocolate Chip Prune Cookies

Chocolate Chip Prune Cookies
Credit: Erin Palinski-Wade
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These chocolate chip cookies ditch the cane sugar and replace it with puréed prunes. Since prunes are naturally sweet and have 3 grams of fiber per serving, this swap cuts out the added sugar while boosting both the fiber and nutrition content of the recipe.

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Banana Bread-Style Soft Cookies

Banana Bread-Style Soft Cookies
Credit: Alyssa Lavy, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
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These unique cookies are a cross between banana bread and a chocolate chip cookie — making them giant, soft, and delicious. They can be made gluten-free and are suitable for a low-FODMAP diet, so they're a great holiday cookie recipe to make  if you have guests with dietary restrictions.

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Apricot Ginger Biscotti

Apricot Walnut Biscotti
Credit: Judy Barbe, R.D.
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This holiday cookie recipe has twice the crunch-factor thanks to cornmeal and toasted walnuts. Not a fan of apricot? Swap the fruit for dried cherries or figs.

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Matcha Shortbread Cookies

Matcha Shortbread Cookies
Credit: Dana White Nutrition
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These six-ingredient shortbread cookies deliver a healthy dose of antioxidants and a beautiful green tint courtesy of the matcha. Note: The holiday cookie recipe's dough needs to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, so plan your baking accordingly.

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    1 of 26 Coffee-Anise Stars
    2 of 26 Mokonuts' Rye-Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
    3 of 26 Pistachio-Matcha Financiers
    4 of 26 Easy Peppermint Dark Chocolate Cookies
    5 of 26 Pumpkin Snickerdoodles with Einkorn Flour
    6 of 26 Layne's Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
    7 of 26 Vegan Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
    8 of 26 No-Flour Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches
    9 of 26 Healthy Cowboy Cookies
    10 of 26 Almond-Orange Mendiant Cookies
    11 of 26 Pistachio-Raspberry Petits Fours
    12 of 26 Low-Carb Chocolate Chunk Cookie Recipe
    13 of 26 Cranberry Pistachio and Chocolate Cookies
    14 of 26 Flourless Double Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies
    15 of 26 Honey Cinnamon Cookies
    16 of 26 Fall Harvest Oatmeal Cookies
    17 of 26 White Chocolate-Dipped Ginger-Pistachio Biscotti
    18 of 26 Matcha Coconut Macaroons
    19 of 26 Almond Sugar Cookies
    20 of 26 Cardamom Chickpea Cookies
    21 of 26 Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
    22 of 26 Ginger Cookies with Orange Clove Icing
    23 of 26 Chocolate Chip Prune Cookies
    24 of 26 Banana Bread-Style Soft Cookies
    25 of 26 Apricot Ginger Biscotti
    26 of 26 Matcha Shortbread Cookies

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    26 Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes to Make for Any Festivity
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