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Healthy Holiday Cookies That Everyone Will Love

October 29, 2021

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!

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Fruitcake Cookies

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

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Almond Snowballs

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

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Photo: Matt Armendariz
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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!

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Kitchen Sink Cookies

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

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

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Photo: Steve Giralt Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin 917 751 2855
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Meringues

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

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Pecan Sandies

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

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Photo: Stephen Johnson ©
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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!

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Photo: Tara Donne
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Lemon Ricotta Cookies

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

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Photo: Stephen Johnson ©
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Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

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

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Jelly-Glazed Doughnut Cookies

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

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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.

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Cookie Dough Truffles

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

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Photo: Tara Donne
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Oatmeal Cookies

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

Giada's easy drop cookies call for just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time.
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Photo: Tara Donne
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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!

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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.

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Lemon Icebox Bars

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

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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.

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Photo: Jonathan Kantor
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Mini Date-Nut Snowballs

Ellie's no-sugar-added date-nut balls are ready in just 10 minutes.
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Photo: Marko Metzinger / Studio D ©
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Flu-Fighter Cookies

These cookies are loaded with spices, dried fruit and walnuts — everything you need to celebrate the season, or fend off a cold.
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Espresso Chip Meringues

If you're itching for a mocha, try Giada's cloud-like, espresso-infused meringues — with chocolate chips sprinkled throughout.

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Triple Chocolate Cookies

Why settle for one type of chocolate when you can load up your cookies with three? Add nuts if you like, too.

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