Dairy-Free Christmas Cookies

November 16, 2016
Satisfy your holiday sweet tooth (and leave a little something for Santa) with festive cookies that exclude milk. Note that several cookie recipes do include butter—not a problem for the lactose intolerant as butter is mostly fat (for the allergic and strictly kosher, use a butter substitute). For perfect ginger or sugar cookie cutouts, chill the dough for a few minutes after rolling out and dip the cutters in flour before using. If eggs are a concern in your family, try these egg-free Christmas treats.
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Fudgy Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies

Credit: Photo: Linda Pugliese
View Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies

When a soft, fudgy cookie meets crunchy candy cane shards, it's a match made in heaven. These rich cookies pack all the signature flavors of the holidays into one glorious, minty cookie. Clocking in at a shy 101 calories, this is a dessert that your holiday guests will love, and it's one that you can feel good about serving them.

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Coconut Macaroons With Bittersweet Chocolate and Pistachios

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Coconut Macaroons With Bittersweet Chocolate and Pistachios

Sweet and chewy coconut macaroons have always been an easy favorite for anyone following a gluten-free diet. We jazzed up these naturally gluten-free beauties by dipping them in bittersweet chocolate and studding them with salty pistachios.

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Chocolate and Peppermint Cookies

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chocolate and Peppermint Cookies

Enjoy the classic combination of chocolate and peppermint all year long in this simple, yet oh-so-good cookie recipe. For just 103 calories, you can taste all the deliciousness of a rich, minty flavor, without all the extra calories and fat. Bake until slightly underdone and allow to cool on the baking sheet for irresistibly soft, gooey cookies.

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Chewy Molasses Cookies

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch
View Recipe: Chewy Molasses Cookies

Perfectly spiced and wonderfully tender, these molasses cookies were a staff fave at tasting.

HOW TO DOUBLE UP: Double the dough and bake these cookies without a hitch. To mail, wrap small stacks together using plastic wrap. Nestle the stacks in a box with plenty of padding, or stack in a wide-mouth canning jar with crumpled parchment or wax paper in the headspace under the lid. Place the jar in a box with padding for mailing overnight.

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Madeleines

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Madeleines

While madeleines are traditionally very small sponge cakes with a distinctive shell-like shape, these cookie-cake hybrids can be cut into a variety of festive shapes for any gathering.

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Double-Chocolate Cookies

Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe
View Recipe: Double-Chocolate Cookies

The secret to these rich chocolate cookies is not to overbake them. For a gooey, creamy cookie center, pull them out of the oven when they are still a bit glossy.

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Pecan Cookies

Credit: Photo: Rumulo Yanes, Recipes: Julianna Grimes and Deb Wise
View Recipe: Pecan Cookies

Dust cookies with a bit of powdered sugar for a finishing touch that's not too sweet. Place sugar in a fine sieve, and shake it over cooled cookies.

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Gingerbread Cookies

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies

These mouthwatering ginger and spice cookies are as irresistible as the ones we loved as kids. For an easy, make-ahead cookie, shape the dough into 1 1/2-inch-diameter logs, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze. When ready to bake, defrost the dough for 20 minutes, cut it into 1/2-inch-thick slices, and bake as directed.

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Rocky Road Cookies

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Rocky Road Cookies

Satisfy a sweet tooth in seconds. These decadent cookies are oozing with rich dark chocolate and creamy marshmallow. 

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Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These chocolate and coconut treats will certainly have Santa coming back for more. Don't forget the milk, too!

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Iced Sugar Cookies

Credit: Photo: Rumulo Yanes
View Recipe: Iced Sugar Cookies

Add water to icing a drop at a time for thinner spreading consistency. To make these even more festive, decorate with dragée (sometimes called sugar pearls), gold or silver dust, and coarse or sparkling sugar, and tint the frosting with food color paste. All are available at coppergifts.com. Make the cookie dough up to a month in advance, wrap it tightly, and freeze. Thaw dough completely by placing it in the refrigerator overnight.

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Chocolate Shortbread

View Recipe: Chocolate Shortbread

A mighty fine cookie. Bittersweet edge, nice and rich. It's also easy to prepare and keeps for several days in an airtight container.

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