My Top 10 Holiday Cookie Recipes

I make no secret of the fact that I love Christmas. I wear it on my sleeve…and on my chest, belly, legs, all over the damn place because I think Christmas season is fantastic.

Although this is mostly a health(ier) food blog, I definitely enjoy the occasional decadent treat, especially cookies. In fact, they may be my very favorite dessert genre. So, in honor of my cookie and holiday love, I thought I’d compile a list of some healthier and not-so-healthy blog favorites.

Falalalala, nom nom nom nom.

Somewhat Better-For-You Options

Whole Wheat Coconut Oil Cutout Cookies. I made these last year so that a friend, who was on a refined sugar and refined flour-free diet, could partake in some cutout cookie action. These are soft, chewy, sweet, and perfect for healthier cookie baking parties!

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons (gf). Coconut macaroons are a sweet that I absolutely cannot pass up when I see them on a dessert menu. These are a healthier homemade version, made without refined sugar, and completely gluten free.

Coconut Almond M&M Cookies (gf). Wonderfully textured, thick and sweet M&M cookies that are gluten free!

Thin and Crispy Salted Almond Butter Oat Cookies (gf + v). My new favorite cookie recipe. Thin, crispy, super buttery tasting, and completely vegan and gluten free!

Bring-On-The-Butter Options

Maple Spice Thumbprints, Two Ways. Soft, sweet and spiced thumbprint cookies that can be filled with salted nutella or dark chocolate. Hubbada hubbada boom.

Marshmallow-Stuffed S’mores Cookies. The most popular dessert recipe on my blog, hands down. Graham-cracker-infused dough with honey, two types of chocolate chips, and a big melty marshmallow inside. Note; I use vegan marshmallows so that these are vegetarian-friendly.

Lemon Basil Shortbread Cookies. Bright, fresh, crisp and buttery. These cookies make use of my favorite herb (ahem, basil, because Ryan is a basil farmer), for a tasty twist on traditional shortbread.

Brown Butter Quinoa Monster Cookies. Thick and chewy cookies that are fully-loaded with brown butter, quinoa, oats, cashews, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&Ms!

Soft Ginger Cookies. A holiday cookie recipe that my family makes every year. Sweet, spiced, chewy, and perfect for the holiday season. Stay tuned for a healthier, cutout-friendly version of these in the coming weeks.

Santa’s Balls (aka Buckeyes). I really don’t know why my family started calling these “Santa’s Balls,” because that’s kinda gross, but it is what it is and it’s kind of funny. We make these every year – no fuss, no healthified ingredients – just straight up sweet n’ peanut buttery buckeyes. (shh – excuse the photos, this is an early recipe. yikes)

Happy holiday baking!