A round up of holiday cookies including gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, vegan and easy-to-make options!
The holiday’s are around the corner, which means that it’s time to start baking! I love making special holiday treats with my kids, and now that they’re nine, six and four, they can all take part in the fun! Tasks that they love are to help mix ingredients, role out dough, use the cookie cutters, crack eggs and add the finishing festive decorations. They love to eat and share their creations, which helps boost their self-confidence and skills in the kitchen. Win-win!
It’s not just about Christmas
There are several different holidays celebrated during the month of December–not just Christmas! There’s also Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, Festivus, and more! This got me thinking about various holiday traditions and being inclusive, as well as being sensitive to those with food allergies when I started planning my cookie-round up.
Food allergies–although manageable–can be a real bummer, especially for kids. Treats are everywhere this time of year, and for parents of little ones with diabetes, celiac disease, peanut allergies, and so on, what you bake for treats may be different from what I bake.
With that in mind, below you will find some yummy holiday baking recipes created by some amazing dietitians (and myself!). Some of these cookies have nuts, some will be dairy-free, some gluten-free, some vegan… and some just super easy to make! I hope you enjoy. If you have any favourite holiday baking recipes feel free to share in the comments below.
Happy holidays and happy baking!
1
Chewy Triple Ginger White Chocolate Cookies
If you are a fan of ginger, you will absolutely LOVE this recipe. I would double the recipe, because they will disappear in no time over the holidays. They make for a great hostess gift too!
This is one of our go-to holiday baking recipes because it’s SO easy, and everyone loves them. These chewy, brownie-like cookies are delicious and are perfect for a holiday dessert or snack, or a cookie exchange!
If you want a festive treat this holiday season, look no further than these vegan and gluten free ginger snaps. With both a deep sweet flavor and a little spice from the ginger – these are the ultimate cookie to warm you up on a cold winter night.
Need a super easy homemade Christmas gift? These quick chocolate dipped oreos with peppermint are the easiest gift you can make for your friends and family. Dip tasty oreos into silky smooth semi-sweet chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint for a chocolate peppermint crunchy cookie treat. Plus they're oreos so they'll definitely be a crowd pleaser.
Oatmeal Raisin Peppermint Cookies (Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies)
Oatmeal Raisin Peppermint Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy, chocolate and mint for your new favorite Peppermint holiday cookies. These whole wheat oatmeal raisin cookies are made with oats and whole wheat flour, they offer up a healthy dose of fiber too!
I’ll be the first to admit, I did not grow up much of a snickerdoodle fan. Chocolate chip cookies will always be my #1, but I’ve found myself making them and actually enjoying them, too! These vegan snickerdoodle cookies with sweet potato were the upgrade that I needed to make this cookie a staple.
This recipe makes a chewy, flavorful cookie spiced with cinnamon and cardamon, along with ground and crystallized ginger. If you can't find crystallized ginger and the need to bake is urgent (I understand completely) then increase the amount of ground ginger to 2 teaspoons.
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies w/ Sea Salt Caramel Rum Raisin Filling
These Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies with Sea Salt Caramel Rum Raisin Filling are absolutely scrumptious. Soft, moist, and delicately spiced, they’re a delicious holiday treat!
12 Cookies for Holiday Gifts: Double Chocolate Cookies & More
Sarah Remmer, RD
I was going to make my usual chocolate chip cookie recipe and add Christmas Smarties to them, but instead, experimented with a double chocolate cookie recipe- and I am so happy that I did, let me tell you.
2cupsmint holiday smarties or m&m’sor white chocolate chips, mint chocolate chips or butterscotch chocolate chips
Instructions
In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar together until you reach the consistency of wet sand
Beat eggs, maple syrup and vanilla in to mixture until smooth
In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add to sugar/egg mixture and stir by hand until almost combined
Add in Smarties or chocolate chips and stir until combined
Roll inch-thick balls of dough onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets and bake for 9-11 minutes at 325 degrees, until just set around edges and soft in the middle. If you want them soft and chewy, don’t over-bake.
Sarah Remmer, RD, is a registered dietitian and mom of three, specializing in family and pediatric nutrition. She’s the founder of Centred Nutrition Collective and has nearly 20 years of experience helping families feel confident about feeding their kids.
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Great round-up Sarah. So many great, healthy options for the holidays!
I really like your 12 Festive Cookies for Holiday Gifts or Baking Exchanges it is very interesting and innovative I will surely try this at my home
These cookie ideas are fantastic for gifting or exchanges. A delicious assortment that adds a festive touch to any celebration!
Awesome! Thank you so much!