Gluten-free or not, the holidays are just not the same without a assortment of colorful cookies. So I’ve rounded up recipes from some of my favorite bloggers, who develop recipes I trust. I’ve included my new Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Buttery Cut-Out Cookies with Royal Icing recipe, a feat for me (and my family and friends) considering my royal icing anxiety. (Read my story and get detailed pictures of thick and thin royal icing textures on my blog.)
All of the cookies are gluten-free, and some are also dairy-free, soy-free, grain-free and refined sugar-free. I hope there’s a cookie in here for just about everyone in your life—especially you.
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- Go ahead, break the rules -- bake cookies for breakfast.
Cookies for breakfast? We’re not talking about breaking open a pack of Oreos; Ellie’s breakfast cookies are loaded with whole grains, fruit, nuts cereal and even vegetables. They’re hand-held and portable, so great for when you’re on-the-run. If you do have some time to sit and relax though, give them a dunk in your morning coffee or a glass of milk.
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- Give homemade treats, without turning your oven on.
The idea of truffles sounds so very fancy, but the secret is: they’re actually really easy to make (don’t tell the fancy chocolatiers we let the cat out of the bag on that one!). Food Network Kitchen‘s truffle cookies are made with naturally sweet ingredients like dates and honey, instead of the milk and sugar used in traditional truffles. And you can roll them in whatever you like: chopped nuts, cocoa powder, coconut, or a combination for the prettiest presentation. Get the kids to help with these, it’s fun to roll the ingredients up into balls, and tiny helping hands make for fast work.
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‘Tis the season for holiday shopping but don’t let a hectic trip to the mall lead to a Santa-like physique. Use our tips for more figure-friendly shopping snacks.
Order: Fresh and Light
When it comes to tackling the food court, most malls offer the usual suspects of the fast food world. Use our guides make the smartest choices at McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway and Wendy’s.
A salad with vinaigrette dressing (on the side) or a small cup of soup are usually the most sensible options. Check your local mall’s website ahead of time to see which chain restaurants they feature, then download the nutrition info from the company’s website.
Not: Buttery and Sugary
While the smell of butter-drenched pretzels and over-sized chocolate chip cookies are calling out to you, these classic mall goodies can pack in more than 350 calories each. That pretzel also contains more than 40% of the daily recommended amount of sodium, while the cookie boasts 17 grams of total fat and 8 grams of saturated fat. The show-stopper just might be the ooey-gooey cinnamon bun, coming it a holiday-wrecking 880 calories and 36 grams of fat each!
Think sipping on a smoothie or festive coffee drink is better? Think again. A medium-sized smoothie or whipped cream-topped gingerbread latte will also pack in more than 300 sugar-filled calories.
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- Make Your Own Girl Scout Cookies, Sans The Artificial Ingredients
Whether you want to avoid some of the highly-processed ingredients (like trans fats and palm oil) or you just can’t wait for the annual cookie sale, we’ve got some simple ways to make healthier versions of these classic treats.
Make your own Girl Scout cookies »
- Ginger Oat Crisps
Cookies help you satisfy that sweet tooth with built-in portion control (as long as you just eat one or two). We’ve rounded up some Healthy Eats-approved favorites — classic recipes, plus a few fun twists.
Ginger Pecan Oatmeal Crisps
Holiday Sugar Cookies
Crispy Rice Squares
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Biscotti
Orange-Chocolate Cookies
Espresso Chip Meringues
Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze
Gingerbread Boys and Girls
Triple Chocolate Cookies
Get more smart cookie picks »
TELL US: What’s your no-fail holiday cookie recipe?
Between holiday parties and cookie swaps, December is definitely the month for baking. Before you heat up the oven, check out this week’s list of reader comments for tips on trimming the sugar and fat in cookies and other baked goodies.
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My mom and I team up in the kitchen every December to tackle the holiday baking, but this year I’m on my own. Crispy rice cereal squares were the first cookies I ever learned to prepare, and these treats are definitely on my list this year. I love the festive dash of food coloring. You can choose red, green or whatever color says “holidays” to you. Better still, this version is lower in fat than the typical butter-soaked recipe. Because this is an egg-free mixture, there’s no harm in sampling as you go along.
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These gluten-free drop cookies are a soft holiday sweet that you can make now — or give as gifts — and be confident they’ll taste great. Sweet, spicy and fragrant right out of the oven, they still taste as fresh two weeks later. Store them in a tin for best keeping and beautiful presentation. –Linda Simon, Kitchen Therapy
Get the recipe and gluten-free baking tips »
Now that Thanksgiving is over, let the holiday baking season begin! This week, we’re offering up a cookie a day to give you ideas for holiday parties, cookie swaps or simple, healthier choices to satisfy your sweet tooth.
My mother-in-law discovered this recipe last year in a magazine, and these cookies became an instant family favorite. The combination of orange and chocolate makes for a light but decadent cookie. At 90 calories each, you can have one (or two) and not feel guilty about dessert.
Get the recipe »
