Description
These Easy Christmas Cookies with Less Sugar are a festive and healthier way to enjoy holiday treats. Made with gluten-free baking flour and reduced sugar, these cookies are soft, delicious, and perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holidays. They bake quickly, require simple ingredients, and come together easily for a guilt-free seasonal delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (Simply Organic preferred)
- 5 tbsp butter, softened to room temperature (about 70°F)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free baking flour
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar (unrefined)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Mix the Wet Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using an electric or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and unrefined sugar on medium-low speed for approximately 2 minutes until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then continue beating until fully combined.
- Form the Dough: Gradually incorporate the gluten-free baking flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet mixture while mixing. Continue until a soft dough ball forms that holds together well.
- Roll Out the Dough: Cut two pieces of parchment paper. Place the dough between them and roll out with a rolling pin to about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness. Avoid rolling too thin to maintain a soft texture. Remove the top parchment sheet and set aside.
- Cut and Decorate the Cookies: Use cookie cutters or a small glass to cut out desired shapes. Remove excess dough from around the cutouts and wrap it in plastic wrap, chilling it in the fridge for reuse. Optionally, sprinkle dye-free sprinkles on the cookie shapes.
- Bake the Cookies: Transfer the parchment paper with cookies onto a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 6 minutes or until edges are just slightly crispy but cookies remain mostly pale and soft. Avoid browning to prevent crispiness.
- Cool and Repeat: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat the cutting and baking process with the remaining dough, reusing parchment sheets when possible.
Notes
- Use gluten-free baking flour to keep the cookies gluten-free and suitable for sensitive diets.
- Do not overbake to retain a soft and tender cookie texture.
- Softened butter should be about 70°F for best mixing consistency.
- To reduce sugar content, this recipe uses less sugar than traditional Christmas cookies but still maintains sweetness and flavor.
- Wrap and refrigerate excess dough to prevent waste and maintain texture for subsequent baking batches.
- Use dye-free sprinkles if you want to keep the cookies free from artificial colors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas cookies, reduced sugar cookies, gluten-free cookies, holiday baking, easy Christmas treats, healthy Christmas cookies, festive cookies
