Healthier Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe!

Healthier Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or a combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flour)

• 1/2 cup coconut oil (or unsalted butter, softened)

• 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey)

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• Natural food coloring (for decorating)

• Sprinkles (preferably ones with less sugar or colored sugar for a healthier option)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:

   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut oil (or butter), maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

3. Add Dry Ingredients:

   • In a separate bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

4. Chill the Dough:

   • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough hold its shape better when you roll it out and cut it into festive shapes.

5. Roll and Cut the Cookies:

   • Once chilled, roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.

   • Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes like candy canes, stars, or gingerbread men.

6. Bake the Cookies:

   • Place the cookie cut-outs onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

7. Decorate:

   • Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. You can add sprinkles or even use a small amount of natural food coloring to make them festive.

8. Serve:

   • Once decorated, enjoy your healthier Christmas sugar cookies with a cup of milk or your favorite holiday beverage!

Q&A Section:

Q: Can I make these cookies even healthier?
A: Yes! You can reduce the amount of maple syrup or honey by half and substitute with mashed bananas or applesauce for a natural sweetness. You can also try adding some ground flax seeds for extra fiber.

Q: How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: You can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the whole wheat flour. Make sure to check the flour blend’s packaging for any extra instructions on binding.

Q: Can I use regular butter instead of coconut oil?
A: Yes, regular unsalted butter will work fine. The coconut oil gives a slight coconut flavor, but you won’t notice the difference with butter.

Q: How long can I store these cookies?
A: These cookies will stay fresh for about a week in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months!

Q: How do I make my sprinkles healthier?
A: Look for sprinkles made with natural coloring and less sugar, or you can make your own by mixing natural sugars with a few drops of food coloring.