Low-Sugar Christmas Cookies

November 18, 2016
Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
It's nearly impossible to resist the smell of freshly-baked holiday cookies wafting from the kitchen, and thanks to these low- or no-sugar cookies, you don't have to. Our collection of irresistible treats makes it possible to indulge a little without sidelining your diet. Plus, our creative substitutions make these cookies so delicious you'll forget they're better for you. From creamy meltaways and chocolate-cherry drop cookies to almond lace and granola cookie wedges, these confections will satisfy your cookie cravings.
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Granola Cookie Wedges

Credit: Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Granola Cookie Wedges

Instead of taking the time to scoop individual cookies, bake a superfast cookie “pie,” and then cut it into wedges.

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Ginger Coins

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Ginger Coins

Three kinds of ginger define this zippy cookie, which cookbook author and culinary instructor Andrea Nguyen has been baking and tweaking since the mid-1990s from Barbara Tropp’s China Moon Cookbook. For good results, have the butter at moderate room temperature (64°F to 68°F), not melting in the wrapper. If you don’t have crystallized ginger, they’ll still be tasty.

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Macadamia and Ginger Cookies

Credit: Photo: Karry Hosford
View Recipe: Macadamia and Ginger Cookies

This recipe is an adaptation of Italian amaretti. It calls for macadamias, but hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or pine nuts would also be good. Using nuts in baking allows you to incorporate their heart-healthy fats—and satisfying texture. If you are sensitive to ginger, use the lower end of the called-for range.

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Cream Cheese Meltaways with Lemon Glaze

Credit: Photo: Jan Smith
View Recipe: Cream Cheese Meltaways with Lemon Glaze

When shaping these buttery cookies, do not try to form perfectly smooth balls. If the dough is handled too much, the cookies will become heavy and dense. Let them be free-form and show off that they’re homemade. Imperfect usually means that they’re perfectly delicious.

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Giant Oatmeal Drop Cookies

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Giant Oatmeal Drop Cookies

These oatmeal drop cookies are easy to make and taste fantastic.

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Almond Lace

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Almond Lace

Almond Lace pairs deliciously with an afternoon cup of tea. These crisp, crunchy cookies will leave you pining for more.

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White Chocolate-Tahini Cookies

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: White Chocolate-Tahini Cookies

This isn't your average chocolate chip cookie, and you'll be glad of it. Tahini adds a delectable warmth to this cookie dough, which blunts the sweetness of the white chocolate. If you don't like white chocolate, bittersweet or dark chocolate would make a delicious substitute. 

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Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

This reader recipe was developed by Marcie Dixon of Arlington Heights, Illinois, who recommends using bittersweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate for these decadent cookies. "Not only does it have less sugar," she said, "but it has a deeper flavor, too." Double the recipe and keep these 94-calorie cookies in the freezer for when you're in need of a healthy treat.

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