There’s something about the Christmas season that makes me want baked goods (oh, who am I kidding? I always want baked goods). But the Christmas season does typically require me to bake more treats than other times of the year, whether it be for gatherings with family and friends, or setting out a plate for Santa on Christmas Eve.
To be honest with you, the kitchen is not my comfort zone. My go-to cookie is the Pillsbury slice-and-bakes that have holiday themed images centered on them and take 20 minutes or less in the oven. But this Christmas season, I took it upon myself to bake and taste-test 5 recipes that weren’t too complicated for this kitchen novice, and that catered to some of the most common dietary restrictions.
Here are my favorite cookie recipes that can all be made within an hour:
Gluten Free Snickerdoodles
Cinnamon screams Christmas to me. I love cinnamon rolls for breakfast, cinnamon flavored coffee throughout the day, and of course, cinnamon cookies at dessert (or throughout the day - who am I to tell you when to enjoy your cookies?) If you feel the same way as me about cinnamon, these snickerdoodles are a must-bake.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened (or butter alternative to make this recipe dairy-free/vegan)
1 ¾ cups white sugar
2 large eggs (or egg alternative if needed for dietary sensitivities/to make this recipe vegan)
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups gluten-free flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, add butter and 1 ½ cups of sugar.
Add eggs and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine gluten-free flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and 1 tsp cinnamon.
Slowly add dry ingredients to butter/sugar mixture until all ingredients are well incorporated.
In a medium, shallow bowl, place ¼ cup white sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon. Toss to combine.
Scoop out 2 tablespoons of dough, shape into a ball, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining dough.
Place rolled cookie dough balls evenly spaced on baking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are cooked through.
Let cool for at least 10 minutes, then enjoy!
Dairy Free Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are such a fun addition to the Christmas season because there’s so much decorating potential! Whether you want to add fun seasonal shapes with icing or just a pop of color with sprinkles, these sugar cookies are not only easy to make, but fun to decorate.
Ingredients:
For the cookies:
2 sticks dairy free butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 large egg (or egg alternative if needed for dietary sensitivities/to make this recipe vegan)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all purpose flour (or gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-free)
½ tsp fine sea salt
For the icing:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 to 4 Tbsp water
½ tsp vanilla extract
Food coloring and sprinkles (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine the dairy free butter and confectioners’ sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Add in the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until combined.
Add in the flour and salt, then mix until combined.
With well-floured hands, form dough into balls then gently press into discs about 6 inches wide.
Place cookie dough evenly spaced on baking sheet.
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until cookies are cooked through.
Let cool for at least 5 minutes, then enjoy!
Diabetic Friendly (Low-Carb) Nutmeg Butter Balls
Oftentimes, the diabetic friendly options at Christmas parties are store-bought, sugar-free pies. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those, these nutmeg butter balls provide a fun alternative for your diabetic friendly needs.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar free sweetener
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups finely chopped pecans
½ cup coconut flour
2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Combine the butter and ½ cup sweetener together. Mix until well-blended.
Add in the coconut flour. Mix until combined.
Add in the vanilla and pecans. Mix until combined.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine nutmeg and ½ cup sweetener together. Mix until well-blended.
Form dough into balls, then roll each ball in the nutmeg mixture.
Place cookie dough evenly spaced on baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until light and golden-brown.
Let cool completely, then enjoy!
No-Bake White Chocolate Cookie Butter Oatmeal Clusters
Truthfully, what drew me to this recipe was the cranberries sprinkled on top. Whether it’s cranberry English breakfast muffins or cranberry Sprite, I buy all the cranberry flavored things during the Christmas season. These no-bake white chocolate cookie butter oatmeal clusters are just another fun cranberry-inclusive treat to add to my pantry.
Ingredients:
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup milk
Pinch salt
¼ cup Biscoff or cookie butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats
4 ounce bar white chocolate
⅓ cup chopped dried cranberries (optional)
Directions:
Place the butter, sugars, milk, and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium low heat until the butter melts, stirring occasionally. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in the cookie butter and vanilla, then stir in the oats. Let the mixture cook for about 10-15 minutes until it begins to set.
Scoop out the cookie mixture into little balls, then place on a waxed paper rimmed baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill until completely set.
When the cookies are set, melt the white chocolate.
Dip each cookie in the white chocolate, then place back on the wax paper rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with the dried cranberries.
Let stand at room temperature until set, then enjoy!
Low FODMAP Peppermint Crush Brownies
Okay, okay, I know brownies aren’t cookies. But who can pass up the chocolate-peppermint combination that is such a staple during the Christmas season?
Ingredients:
For the brownies:
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp peppermint extract
¼ tsp salt
½ cup Low-FODMAP flour blend
For the frosting:
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp organic light corn syrup
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp peppermint extract
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 to 2 tbsp lactose-free milk
10 round peppermint candies
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 x 8 baking pan with foil and spritz with cooking spray.
For the brownies, mix melted butter and cup cocoa powder until smooth.
Stir in the sugar, followed by the eggs.
Stir in vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
Add the flour, then stir until fully incorporated.
Pour batter into the prepared pan, then bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely.
For the frosting, combine the butter, cocoa powder, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix until smooth.
Add the confectioners’ sugar and milk. Mix until combined.
Frost cooled brownies and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
The Christmas season can be stressful for many reasons, but baking cookies for yourself or your family and friends doesn’t have to be one of them. Light your tree, turn on your favorite seasonal movie (my recommendation is the classic White Christmas), and have fun with your holiday baking! Also, if you have other Christmas cookie recipes that you just LOVE, head over to Facebook and share with our Focus Fix Fam.
Disclaimer: Every body is different and requires a unique approach and treatment plan in order to thrive. These recipes are for the purposes of fun and holiday cheer, and are not prescriptive or endorsements for restrictive diets of any kind. This article is written by a non-medical professional, and should not be misconstrued as counsel or medical advice. Always consult with your doctor prior to making any changes to your diet or treatment plan.
Written by: Bailey Humphrey, EdD
If you love "The Bachelorette," a good podcast, artisan grilled cheese sandwiches, or are just a human being in general, it's time to "accept this rose" and become BFFs with Bailey. A High School English teacher and cheerleading coach by day, Bailey's off-hours are often spent in her living room curled up with a book, a Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso in hand, and her German Shepherd/Border Collie mix, Willie, at her feet. We have nothin' but good things to say about this fabulous member of our volunteer Writing Team!
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