Life

11 Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes For Some Guilt-Free Holiday Indulging

While one of our favorite things about the holidays is the delicious, decadent food we get to eat, sometimes we have to reign ourselves in a little bit. By lightening up our favorite holiday foods, we keep our health in tip-top shape while also avoiding some extra winter weight. Not to mention, lightening up on some foods makes it all the more reason to indulge in others (because who can resist that holiday cheese plate anyway?). But good-for-you recipes don't have to be as depressing as they sound. These 11 cookie recipes are so delicious, you'll never believe how healthy (or lightly less unhealthy) they really are.

Whether you're trying to get a head-start on your New Year's resolutions or you're working towards a healthier lifestyle in general, these scrumptious recipes ensure that your diet won't leave you out of all the holiday cheer.

Image: Minimalist Baker

by Rebecca Deczynski

PB&J Thumbprint Cookies

These easy-to-make treats by A Beautiful Mess won’t leave you feeling bloated after gorging on a few.

Image: A Beautiful Mess

Vegan Shortbread Cookies

No dairy or eggs? No problem, thanks to Love & Lemons’ rich shortbread cookie recipe.

Image: Love & Lemons

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut butter and banana is one of the most perfect flavor combinations ever, and it gets even better with Cookie and Kate’s chocolate chip-filled recipe. These are made with all-natural peanut butter, so go ahead. Take more than one.

Image: Cookie and Kate

5-Ingredient Vegan & Gluten-Free Cookies

Trying to keep the ingredients to a minimum? Look no further than Minimalist Baker’s simple yet sweet cookie recipe.

Image: Minimalist Baker

Vegan & Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles

With the perfect touch of sugar and cinnamon, Oh She Glows’ healthy snickerdoodles are just as good (or better) than their less healthy counterpart.

Image: Oh She Glows

Chocolate-Covered Mint Patties

Put down the Girl Scout cookies, and try out these mint patties by Cara’s Cravings for a guilt-free treat.

Image: Cara’s Cravings

Frosted Holiday Sugar Star Cookies

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you can’t participate in festive holiday fare. Just check out Family Fresh Cooking’s super cute star cookies.

Image: Family Fresh Cooking

Swedish Chocolate Biscuits

Also known as ”chokladbiskvier,” Green Kitchen Stories’ take on Swedish chocolate biscuits makes for a delicious holiday treat that will quickly become a favorite.

Image: Green Kitchen Stories

Almond Joy Cookies

Your favorite candy just got a healthy makeover thanks to Making Thyme for Health’s sweet cookie recipe.

Image: Making Thyme for Health

Grain-Free Hazelnut Butter and Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Put down that jar of Nutella. The Healthy Foodie’s yummy chocolate hazelnut cookies are just as delicious and way better for you.

Image: The Healthy Foodie

Raw Oatmeal Raisin Cacao Nib Cookies

These are not your usual oatmeal cookies. What’s Cooking Good Looking’s raw treats pack a nice dose of protein while being super tasty.

Image: What’s Cooking Good Looking

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