Crunchy, nutty with touch of caramel flavor, these HEALTHY refined sugar-free Almond Sugar Cookies are the perfect Holiday sweet treat. These whole grain cookies are full of nutrients and super low-calorie.
Surely, you will all agree with me that there's nothing sweeter then Christmas Cookie tray full of tiny colorful cookies served next to Advent wreath on holiday table. It's just beautiful scene, and it warms my heart instantly. It gets you in that Christmas spirit.
So every year there's a tray full of Christmas cookies in my house. We bake them all together, as a family. I'm preparing the dough, and my boys are making the cookies, followed by Christmas carols in the background.
When the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies starts to spread throughout the apartment, we're all eager to try them. And then there's the decoration of cookies which is always particularly fun. Sticky fingers and humorous attempts to draw something meaningful on cookies always get us a good laugh.
That's the true meaning of Christmas - love, laughter and happy family moments!
Almond Sugar Cookies are my family favorite. My husband is huge fan of these cookies. Every time he eats them, he closes his eyes and starts mumbling repeating how fine they are and how I NEED to make more of these cookies because one tray just won't be enough.
These cookies are so addictive too. Crunchy, nutty, full of sweet caramel flavor... I think you get my vibe. And then there's that whole almond on top of cookie that gives every bite that extra crispness and nuttiness. Perfect!
How to make Almond Sugar Cookies
These Almond Sugar Cookies are made with all healthy ingredients and very nutritious - full of fibers, healthy fats, and plant-based proteins. Although they may look and sound like a caloric bomb, they are really moderate in calories and refined sugar-free. These cookies are so easy to make, and you can include your kids to help you in preparation. Super fun!
For making these Almond Sugar Cookies, I used whole wheat flour and ground almond (almond meal) both rich in fibers, vitamins, and minerals. Ground almonds also enriched these cookies with plant-based proteins and heart-healthy fats.
To sweeten cookies I used unrefined dark muscovado sugar that gave the cookies deep caramel flavor but also a beautiful brown color.
I didn't want to overdo with spices, so I just added a bit of vanilla extract to the mixture which beautifully complemented the warm caramel cookie flavor. Instead of butter, that is commonly used in making cookies, I used super healthy coconut oil. That way I enriched these Almond Sugar Cookies with more nutrients.
Almond Sugar Cookies are ...
- made with all healthy ingredients,
- easy to prepare and can be made in just 20 minutes,
- needs only a few simple ingredients,
- refined sugar-free,
- dairy free,
- low-calorie,
- rich in nutrients - quality fibers, plant-based proteins, minerals, and vitamins,
- contains heart-friendly fats.
These Almond Sugar Cookies are proof that even if you are on healthy diet you can fully enjoy in holiday treats. It's a good feeling when you know you are not eating empty calories but something that is actually nutritious and good for your health. And just look at them ... you could eat the whole tray faster than you say cookie, right?
For a healthier holidays! Cheers guys!
Almond Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup ground almonds or almond meal 60g
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour 100 g
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of Himalayan salt
- ⅓ cup extra virgin coconut oil 70g, softened
- 6 tablespoons dark muscovado sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 small egg
- Almonds for decoration
Instructions
- Mix the flour, ground almonds, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix softened coconut oil with muscovado sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract, egg, and mix well until combined.
- Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Mix until you get a firm dough.
- Shape dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Leave in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Heat oven to 350F (180°C). Place baking paper on baking sheet.
- Using spoons and hands, shape the piece of dough into a ball. Gently squeeze it between your hands. Place the ball on a baking sheet and press the almond on top.
- Bake cookies for 15 minutes, or until golden. Do not over bake. Cookies should be soft to the touch.
- Remove cookies from oven and allow them to cool completely on the cooling rack.
- Keep cookies closed in air-tight container until serving.
Notes
As a measure, I used a US cup (240 ml).
Nutrition
These are my picks for this recipe:
[amazon_link asins='B0029JQE3M,B01DLHA9OA,B002BFQR3G' template='MyPicks' store='natalieshealt-20' marketplace='US' link_id='83f58c3e-d6c8-11e7-9996-879982c020fc']
∗ PIN this for later! ∗
Surely a part guilt free after school snack for the kids that they will eat without complaining. Great recipes
Thanks Sunrita :)
I am obsessed with almonds. Never thought to have them in a cookie in this way but now I would love some.
These COOKIES!!!! YUMMMM They look so good. Adding these to my recipe list. I need to make them this week.
Almond cookies were a favorite growing up. I never thought to make this combination before.
These almond sugar cookies look delicious. I might just try this with the kids this wekeend.
those look amazing. i need to save this recipe for later. i know the family would love it.
Whenever I read that a recipe is a family favorite, that's when I KNOW that I need to try it! Ha, isn't it the best feeling when the whole family enjoys a recipe. It's so satisfying!
I love a healthy option for some of my favorite treats. These will indeed be made sometime over the next couple of weeks.
These deserve 5 stars! All the ingredients are right, accessible and compatible with my tummy. I wanna try them out this festive season, Natalie! XO
Sounds delicious! Looking forward to trying them!
Healthy and delicious almond cookies - perfect for any cookie tray. I would love to try these for my family.
I love this healthy spin on these cookies. I'm a big fan of sugar cookies, and anything that makes them more healthy is great!
These remind me of cookies my mother in law makes at Christmas. She is Italian and they tend to use a lot of nuts in their cookies. I can't wait to give these a try!
MmMMM. I can almost taste the nutty goodness. I'll have to make these over the weekend.
This is a great twist on one of my favorite cookies! I love that there's an entire almond in the center. Yum.
THESE SOUND LIKE QUITE THE TREAAAATTT for the mouth. OMG! YUM!! I need to re-create these so I can eat them because I NEED THEM IN MY MOUTH!!
I love almonds and more if I can have them on cookies. This recipe is a must have for the holidays.
I love sugar cookies and these are a great twist on a classic. A much healthier version!
They look delish! Might have to make them with my all purpose GF flour - just as soon as I get my over working again. A terrible time of year to be without an oven! Happy holidays :)
Made a batch last night - delicious! Any idea roughly how many calories per cookie though?
Thank you so much for comment :) Glad you liked it! 1 cookie has around 90 calories. I'm planning to instal nutritional table on all my recipes soon.
So much YES on the holiday dessert platter and good holiday vibes! Those two really go hand in hand, don't they? :) I'm not surprised at all that these incredible cookies are one of your husband's faves, Natalie! Just looking at them totally makes my mouth water. I'm so impressed that you made them with so many wonderful ingredients. Send over a dozen, pretty please! :) Happy holidays to you, my friend. xo Pinned!
In mean time, my mother in law fell in love in these cookies. It seems I'll be baking these beauties all week hehe Thanks Demeter. Happy Holidays to you my friend ;)
I can't have almonds, which is sad because I really like that flavor... but luckily I can have almond EXTRACT and I add it to my specific cookie recipes all the time!
Awww I'm really sorry to hear you can't eat almonds.. but yey to almond extract! :D
Low calorie sugar cookie?! SIGN ME UP! These look fabulous, Natalie! Love the almond and caramel flavor going on here! Best part is I can actually eat a few dozen of these and not feel so guilty! If that's not winning I don't know what is! Cheers!
That's exactly my point! Having a bunch of guilt free cookies for Christmas is a blast!! :D Thanks Chey! Cheers!
Love Christmas! And cookies, of course. These look delicious! Pinning to try the recipe :)
Christmas = cookies ? Thanks Mira ;)
These look absolutely delicious, Natalie! I love ground almonds in cookies, I bet these taste amazing!
Thank you Marsha :) Absolutely delicious... so crunchy and sweet!
These sound delicious! I love that we can enjoy cookies that are still full of nourishing ingredients. YUM!
Thanks Blair :)