Healthier Gingerbread Cookies: A Holiday Classic with a Twist
Gingerbread cookies are a holiday must-have, but traditional recipes can be heavy on refined sugar and butter. This Healthier Gingerbread Cookie recipe keeps all the warm, spiced goodness you love while swapping in better-for-you ingredients like whole-grain or almond flour and natural sweeteners.
There’s something about gingerbread cookies that instantly transports us back to childhood. Whether it’s the warm spices filling the kitchen or the fun of decorating gingerbread people with icing and sprinkles, these cookies bring a sense of joy and nostalgia to the holiday season. For many of us, they’re more than just a treat—they’re a cherished tradition shared with family and friends.
Gingerbread has a long history as a holiday favorite, dating back to medieval Europe, where it was often shaped into intricate designs for special occasions. By the 19th century, gingerbread houses and cookies became a staple of Christmas celebrations, thanks in part to the popularity of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. Today, they’re a symbol of holiday magic, blending old-world charm with the modern joy of baking together.
These cookies are perfect for decorating with your family or enjoying with a cup of tea. They’re soft, chewy, and packed with holiday spice—everything a gingerbread cookie should be!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Healthier Classic: Uses unrefined sweeteners like molasses and coconut sugar for a more natural flavor.
- Customizable Texture: Make them soft and chewy or bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.
- Fun to Decorate: These hold their shape perfectly, so grab your cookie cutters and get creative!
Pro Tips for Healthier Gingerbread Cookies
- Make Them Vegan: Double-check your molasses and decorations to ensure they’re vegan-friendly.
- Spice It Up: For extra warmth, add a pinch of black pepper to the dough—it’s a gingerbread secret weapon!
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze unbaked dough to use later.
Holiday Baking Inspiration
These Healthier Gingerbread Cookies are perfect for decorating with kids or gifting to loved ones. Pair them with my Vegan Thumbprint Cookies and Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies for a healthier holiday cookie platter. Don’t forget to check out my YouTube video for a full tutorial on making all three!
Healthier Gingerbread Cookies
Bake healthier gingerbread cookies this holiday season! Soft, spiced, and guilt-free, these treats are perfect for festive baking and decorating.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
To Make
Preheat the oven:
-
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients:
-
In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
Combine wet ingredients:
-
In another bowl, mix the melted coconut oil, applesauce, molasses, and coconut sugar until smooth.
Make the dough:
-
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, add up to 1 cup of additional all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until it’s firm enough to roll out.
Chill the dough:
-
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Roll and cut:
-
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake:
-
Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on your desired softness.
Cool and decorate:
-
Let cool completely before decorating with icing or melted dark chocolate.
Servings 12
Serving Size 1 cookie
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 190kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 8g13%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Sodium 90mg4%
- Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 13g
- Protein 3g6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
