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120 Healthy Holiday Cookies

September 28, 2011
From classic roll-out sugar cookies to Ginger Lemon Pinwheels, we have over 100 crowd-pleasing cookie recipes for every palate.
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120 Healthy Holiday Cookies

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Stained Glass Window Cookies

Photo: Linda Pugliese
View Recipe: Stained Glass Window Cookies

We found that Jolly Rancher candies produced the brightest, most vibrant "stained glass." Be sure to use the original sweet candies, not the sour flavors. To crush, place each color in its own heavy-duty zip-top bag; crush with a rolling pin or meat mallet. You'll find sparkling sugar in craft or specialty stores, but you can also use turbinado sugar as a substitute.

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Almond Butter Snickerdoodles

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Almond Butter Snickerdoodles

When Michaela Rosenthal's daughter moved out, she left behind an unopened jar of almond butter. Unsure of what to do with the butter, Rosenthal was inspired to reproduce almond cookies she'd had at an Asian restaurant. It took several attempts, but the result is a satisfying and healthy version of the treat.

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Raspberry-Rosemary Jam Bars

Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Raspberry-Rosemary Jam Bars

Using fresh raspberries and making your own jam is actually pretty easy, and gives you a lot more control over the sugar content, which makes these desserts healthier, but also keeps them from being cloying or overly sweet. The real genius is in the rosemary, which adds a surprising adult twist on the taste—and will have guests asking you for the recipe. 

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Five-Spice Cookies

Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Five-Spice Cookies

Look for five-spice powder on the spice aisle or with the Asian foods in your grocery store. We love the sparkle of sanding sugar used to coat the outside of the cookies; you’ll find it in craft stores. Supermarket turbinado works well, too.

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Matcha-Chocolate Crackle Cookies

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View Recipe: Matcha-Chocolate Crackle Cookies

These crinkly dark chocolate cookies are a great alternative to iced sugar cookies: not cloyingly sweet, easy to make, and with no artificial colors or flavors. Matcha gives the cookies a light green color and an earthy, faintly grassy flavor. 

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Roll-Out Holiday Cookies

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Roll-Out Holiday Cookies

This gluten-free recipe makes classic sugar cookies that are perfect for decorating to your liking with frosting and sprinkles. Shape them into pretty hearts for Valentine's Day, egg-shaped ovals for Easter, four-leaf clovers for St. Patrick's Day, and trees or stars for Christmas.

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Almond-Currant Linzer Cookies

Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Almond-Currant Linzer Cookies

For these easy linzer cookies, we like the more updated look of off-center cutouts—but you can go more traditional by keeping the cutouts centered.

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Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photo: Ryan Dausch
View Recipe: Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

You probably have everything on hand to make these chewy, chocolaty peanut butter cookies. To fit the cookies on a single sheet pan, divide cookies into 5 rows of 4. Pressing the cookies flat helps them bake quickly and get lovely crisp edges; otherwise they'll be too round and undercooked.

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Matcha Biscotti With Bittersweet Drizzle

Christina Holmes
View Recipe: Matcha Biscotti With Bittersweet Drizzle

Bitterness rating: 3/10. If the dough’s stickiness makes it difficult to work with, dampen your hands slightly before shaping it.

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Chocolate-Frosted Cookies

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chocolate-Frosted Cookies

This recipe, reminiscent of the classic black and white cookie, is a quick and easy gluten-free option that everyone will love. In addition to adding whole grains, sorghum flour lends a nutty flavor that pairs well with bittersweet chocolate.

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Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
The search for rich, decadent brownies and warm, gooey cookies is over. Our gluten-free baked goods will satisfy any sweet tooth.   Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies make a great anytime treat. Soaking the raisins in warm water rehydrates them slightly, leaving you with a softer cookie that can be a nice change of pace from the typical chewy texture.
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Chocolate-Hazelnut Thumbprints

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chocolate-Hazelnut Thumbprints

With a double shot of chocolate and hazelnut flavors, kids and adults will rave over these filled cookies. The espresso powder is optional, but it intensifies the chocolate flavor.

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Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

Based on the classic whoopie pie, these soft sandwich cookies provide all the pleasures of traditional carrot cake in a fun-to-eat package, including the thick, tangy cream cheese frosting—especially the cream cheese frosting.

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Iced Browned Butter Sugar Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Iced Browned Butter Sugar Cookies

With nutty, caramel notes from browned butter and a fair bit of salt to balance the flavors, these cookies will become an instant favorite. You can roll out the dough right after combining all the ingredients—no chilling required. Look for pearlized sugar in gourmet markets or craft stores; the coarse crystals reflect light to give the cookies a sparkly, jewel-like appearance.

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Ginger-Lemon Pinwheel Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Ginger-Lemon Pinwheel Cookies

These cookies are impressive and don't take as much finagling as you might think. The key is to chill the dough before rolling and slicing.

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Iced Gingerbread Biscotti

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Iced Gingerbread Biscotti

This biscotti recipe makes for a festive accessory to a cup of after-dinner coffee. It also makes a wonderful holiday gift! Be sure to let the cookie logs cool after the first bake so they slice cleanly and don't crumble.

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Lemon, Lavender, and Poppy Seed Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Lemon, Lavender, and Poppy Seed Cookies

Simple homemade dough provides the ideal base for a cookie made with naturally sweet ingredients. 

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Salted Chocolate-Topped Shortbread

Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Salted Chocolate-Topped Shortbread

These whole-wheat cookies have the expected “short” texture of classic shortbread, plus an irresistible buttery flavor. Cultured butter is worth seeking out here; the richer flavor really comes through in a cookie like this where the butter is front and center. You can also use regular unsalted butter for a still delicious but slightly less complex flavor.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Thumbprints

Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Thumbprints

Using tahini in the filling instead of heavy cream helps keep sat fat in check. And tahini’s subtle flavor won’t overwhelm the chocolate in the way many nut butters might—though cashew butter would be a good, mild substitute if you have it on hand.

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Chocolate-Dipped Almond Meringues

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View Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Almond Meringues

Dress up these almond-flavored meringue cookies by dipping half of each cookie in a glaze of melted chocolate.

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Coconut, Lime, and Macadamia Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Coconut, Lime, and Macadamia Cookies

Ideal for a hostess gift, potluck party or afternoon snack, this gourmet cookie combination will have you reaching for one more.

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PB, Banana, and Oat Cookies

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: PB, Banana, and Oat Cookies
At just 82 calories a pop, these gluten-free cookies are a healthy indulgence packed with peanut butter, bananas, rolled oats, and chocolate minichips. Pack one or two in your lunchbox for a yummy midday pick me up.

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Espresso Crinkles

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Espresso Crinkles

Lightly coat your hands with flour to make rolling the dough into balls easier. The dough freezes well. Freeze the dough after step 1, thaw in the refrigerator, then proceed with step 2. The powdered sugar coating gives these cookies an appealing cracked finish. Serve with coffee to echo the espresso.

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Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Add some color to your cookie tray with these jam-filled thumbprints. This recipe could also be your healthy alternative for the next school party.

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Pine Nut Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Pine Nut Cookies

Almond paste is an ingenious way to flavor, tenderize, and sweeten our Pine Nut Cookies because it won't cause spreading like excess sugar or warm butter will.

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Mexican Spiced Shortbread Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Mexican Spiced Shortbread Cookies

"The inspiration for these sinfully rich-tasting cookies combines my obsession with shortbread, dulce de leche, and a restaurant cream cheese dessert," said reader and recipe developer Jennifer Brumfield.

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Grapefruit-Campari Bars With Shortbread Crust

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Grapefruit-Campari Bars With Shortbread Crust

Treat yourself to a sophisticated riff on lemon bars. This grown-up treat embraces the bitterness in both grapefruit and Campari, balancing the flavor with a rich, buttery shortbread crust. When we create our healthier desserts, we think about where the fat will be best used—we strategically place it where it will make the most difference. Here, a good amount of butter goes into the whole-wheat crust to give it an irresistible shortbread-like texture. Just be sure to lightly pat the crust in place; if you press too hard and compact it into the baking dish, it will become dense and tough.

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Rocky Road Cookies

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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Raspberry Linzer Windowpane Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Raspberry Linzer WIndowpane Cookies

These beautiful raspberry cookies are easy to prepare. Cut them into shapes—round, rectangular, or even star-shaped. You can reroll the dough scraps, but chill them first.

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Coconut Macaroons With Bittersweet Chocolate and Pistachios

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 Chip Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Store up to one week in an airtight container—if they last that long. We suggest keeping a dozen in the freezer for emergencies.

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Mexican Chocolate Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Cookies

These cookies—bittersweet chocolate that mellows the ground peppers' heat--earned our Test Kitchens' highest rating. They're lovely after dinner with a few last sips of red wine.

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Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues

Make up to two days ahead, and store in an airtight container at room temperature. The chocolate and hazelnut coating adds textural interest to these airy, sweet treats.

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Orange, Sesame, and Honey Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Orange, Sesame, and Honey Cookies

Finish off an Asian-inspired dinner with a tray of these delicious, easy-to-make cookies. 

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Anise Tea Crescents

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Anise Tea Crescents

Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while they're still warm results in a deliciously sweet, snowy coating.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

Photo: Becky-Luigart Stayner
View Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

The favorite sandwich flavor combination comes together in these adorable preserves-filled cookies. Use any type of jam or preserves.

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Classic Iced Sugar Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Classic Iced Sugar Cookies

Whether you're welcoming kids home from school, baking a treat for a party, or enjoying an afternoon to yourself, these cookies are the just-right sweet you need. If you want to create colorful cookies, divide the icing into portions and use food coloring to tint it different hues.

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Banana Rum Coconut Cookies

Photo: Howard L. Puckett
View Recipe: Banana Rum Coconut Cookies

This finalist for the Ultimate Reader Recipe Contest was developed by Christine Dohlmar of Valrico, Florida. "I love oatmeal cookies, so I did my best to come up with a low-fat version," she explained.

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White Chocolate, Strawberry, and Oatmeal Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: White Chocolate, Strawberry, and Oatmeal Cookies

A mere one-quarter cup of butter yields crispy, light cookies and keeps calories in check. Dried strawberries lend fiber, color, and subtle sweetness. You can find them in larger supermarkets, or substitute raisins or dried cranberries. Because the dough is heavy, we used a sturdy stand mixer. You can use a hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar, then stir in the remaining ingredients by hand.

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Raspberry Strippers

View Recipe: Raspberry Strippers

Think of these as a variation of thumbprint cookies. Vanilla butter cookies are filled with fruit preserves and drizzled with a powdered sugar glaze.

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Chewy Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Chewy Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

This cookie recipe contrasts the tartness of cherries with the sweetness of cocoa and chocolate chips for an elegant, delicious treat.

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Pecan-Date Bars

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Pecan-Date Bars

You can prepare and refrigerate these luscious bars a day or two in advance. They are actually easier to cut once they have been completely chilled.

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Fig and Cream Cheese Bars

Photo: Jan Smith
View Recipe: Fig and Cream Cheese Bars

With the honeyed flavor of dried figs, a sweet cream cheese layer, and a buttery, crumbly crust, these bars garnered our Test Kitchens' highest rating. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

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Ginger Cookies

Photo: Lee Harrelson
View Recipe: Ginger Cookies

Originally appearing in our March/April 1993 issue, these gingersnap cookies created by Elizabeth Graubard of Palm Harbor, Florida, have stood the test of time. We swapped flavorful butter for the original's margarine and still love the snappy flavor and crisp texture.

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Truffle-Iced Sugar Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Truffle-Iced Sugar Cookies

You might find it hard to believe that these impressive cookies taste even better than they look.

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Whole Grain Animal Cracker Cookies

Darcy Lenz
View Recipe: Whole Grain Animal Cracker Cookies

These animal cracker cookies would make a great recipe to tackle with little kitchen helpers. Swapping white flour for a blend of white whole-wheat and oat flours provides fiber and a delightfully nutty sweetness that you aren't going to find on the supermarket shelf.

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