Healthy Holiday Cookies That Everyone Will Love

There’s no shortage of treats during the holiday season, which is why everyone will appreciate these better-for-you options — that taste just as sweet and decadent as anything else on the holiday cookie plate!

October 29, 2021

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Fruitcake Cookies

Get into the holiday spirit with Ina’s spin on a Christmas classic.

Get the Recipe: Fruitcake Cookies

Almond Snowballs

Rachael's chewy almond-flavored cookies are coated with coconut and topped with a cherry giving these light treats a festive look.

Get the Recipe: Almond Snowballs

Apricot and Nut Cookies with Amaretto Icing

These cookies have it all: sweet apricots, crunchy toasted almonds, buttery pine nuts and a gorgeous drizzle of amaretto icing.

Get the Recipe: Apricot and Nut Cookies with Amaretto Icing

Fig and Ginger Truffles

These homemade treats make the perfect holiday gift. Or, keep a batch for yourself and indulge whenever you need a little pick-me-up!

Get the Recipe: Fig and Ginger Truffles

Kitchen Sink Cookies

Ellie packs chocolate chunks, dried cherries, apricots and walnuts into these aptly named cookies.

Get the Recipe: Kitchen Sink Cookies

Honey Pistachio Biscotti

Cozy up with a hot cup of tea or homemade cocoa and Ellie Krieger's version of a coffeehouse staple.

Get the Recipe: Honey Pistachio Biscotti

Chocolate Oat Cakes

We added chocolate to the classic British digestive biscuit to highlight the richness of the oats, plus hazelnuts for texture and crunch. They aren't too sweet, making them the perfect match for afternoon tea.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Oat Cakes (Scotland)

Meringues

These light-as-air meringues make a welcome addition to any holiday cookie plate.

Get the Recipe: Meringues

Pecan Sandies

These cookies have all the crispness of the classic, but they're made with less butter than traditional recipes.

Get the Recipe: Pecan Sandies

Chocolate Nut Clusters

Full of texture and only three ingredients, these morsels make a fantastic holiday treat. You don't even need to bake them!

Get the Recipe: Cherry Almond Chocolate Clusters

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Giada's dainty, cake-like rounds are infused with lemon flavor both in the dough and in the glaze on top.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze

Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Two times the chocolate and still healthy?! Better bake a double batch of these rich, fudgy treats.

Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jelly-Glazed Doughnut Cookies

A simple grape jelly glaze gives these Hanukkah cookies just the right amount of sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Jelly-Glazed Doughnut Cookies

Lighter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These crispy cookies will give your full-fat recipe a run for its money. By adding some ground oats to whole wheat pastry flour, cutting the butter and adding some agave nectar, we cut the fat and calories without sacrificing flavor.

Get the Recipe: Lighter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookie Dough Truffles

These scrumptious treats require no oven time and are so easy to make. Simply mix, shape, freeze and coat in chocolate.

Get the Recipe: Cookie Dough Truffles

Oatmeal Cookies

A little bit of apple butter adds moisture, flavor and sweetness to these cakey cookies — it acts as a butter substitute, too.

Get the Recipe: Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Chocolate-Hazelnut Drop Cookies

Giada's easy drop cookies call for just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate-Hazelnut Drop Cookies

No-Bake Truffles

These sweet treats start with dried dates for a natural sweetness, instead of the traditional combination of milk and sugar, and then get mixed with some cocoa, reduced-fat peanut butter and ground whole-wheat graham crackers. Quick and delicious!

Get the Recipe: No Bake Chewy Truffle Cookies

Ginger Pecan Oatmeal Crisps

These crisps take on a hearty texture with ground oats and pecans. Ginger rounds it all out with a sweet-and-spicy kick.

Get the Recipe: Ginger Pecan Oatmeal Crisps

Lemon Icebox Bars

Get all of the lemony creaminess you crave, at only 155 calories per square.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Icebox Bars

Oatmeal Pistachio Cookies

This is a soft cookie with a crisp edge, filled with the buttery taste of pistachios and extra sweetness from dried cherries. What's not to love?!

Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Pistachio Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Biscotti

Impress friends and family with these bakery-quality goodies. They've got all the flavor of peanut butter cups, but are perfect for dunking in a cup of coffee or cocoa.

Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Biscotti