3 HEALTHY CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES

We all know that Christmas is just around the corner and there are only a couple of days left till Christmas Eve! In order to be perfectly prepared in terms of food I have come up with my favourite Christmas cookies. Here are three healthy cookie recipes for you try out – it´s definitely worth it! ;)

 

 

Almond & Honey-Butter Cookies

Healthy, because:
This cookie uses honey as the only sweetener. Honey is just as sweet and much healthier than sugar, because it provides some nutrients such as B vitamins. Also, ground almonds replace much of the butter as they are high in heart-healthy fats.

 

Ingredients:

1 cup ground almonds

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup canola oil
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 large egg

 

Directions:

Step 1: Use a large bowl and add whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt - stir until just combined.

Step 2: Beat 2/3 cup honey, oil and butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer. Add egg and beat until blended.

Step 3: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.

Step 4: Preheat oven to 170 degrees C.

Step 5: Place spoonfuls of the cookie mixture on a baking tray and press down to flatten a little. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Wishing everyone bon appétit! :)

 

 

Linzer Cookies

Healthy, because:

Whole-wheat flour is used instead of white flour (like in my other Christmas cookie recipes as well! ;) ). Whole grains contain higher amounts of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.

 

Ingredients:

1 cup ground almonds (or hazelnuts)

1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 teaspoon water
1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup jam
2 tablespoon water
powdered sugar for dusting

 

Directions:

Step 1: Use a large bowl and mix ground nuts, flour, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl whisk egg with 2 teaspoon water.

Step 2: Beat butter with sugar until smooth.  Add egg and water mixture and beat for another minute.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients to wet and stir gently. Refrigerate the dough for 2 hours.

Step 4: Preheat oven to 170 degrees C.

Step 5: Roll out the dough to a 1/4 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut circles. Use a smaller round cookie cutter to cut circles out of the centers of half of the cookies (these will form the tops).

Step 6: Bake cookies for 12 minutes. While doing that, bring jam and 2 teaspoon water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

Step 7: Dust top cookie halves with powdered sugar. Place a small spoonful of jam on each bottom cookie. Place a top cookie half over the jam - finished! These cookies look really nice and taste twice as good! :)

 

Gingerbread:

Healthy, because:

They boost your iron intakes - and iron plays a key role in energy production! These delicious cookies also contain ginger – an herb used as a spice and also as a medicine.

 

Ingredients:

3 cups whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoons warm water
(almonds or other nuts for decorating)

 

Directions:

Step 1: Put butter, sugar, egg and warmed molasses into a large bowl. Dissolve baking soda in warm water and add to egg mixture - beat until smooth.

Step 2: Mix in flour, spices and salt until well blended. Cover and chill for 24 hours.

Step 3: Preheat oven to 170 degrees C.

Step 4: Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch on a floured surface. Cut out cookies with desired cutter (gingerbread man cutter definitely look cute, but I used the normal round ones).

Step 5: Bake 10 to 12 minutes in the oven. It smells incredible!! *0*