Honey Cinnamon Cookies are perfect Holiday treat. Made with all healthy ingredients, whole grain and refined sugar-free, these cookies are festive as well as delicious.
Oh, the joyful Christmas season.... colorful decorations and sparkling lights, cheerful music and tables full of yummiest foods (including oh-so-sweet Christmas cookies). Everything is bright. People are joyful and happy... well most of them hehe ... What's there not to love about Christmas?! I'm one of those people who are always happy, constantly smiling, and this time of year fits my mood perfectly. I totally dig this positive energy that surrounds me, and I'm ready to enjoy the Holiday season.
With First Advent Sunday, holiday spirit definitely entered our house. Our front door is fully decorated. There's a big advent wreath on our dining table and next to it a jar full of Christmas cookies. Sparkling Christmas lights around our TV table gives us that cozy Christmas feeling at evening. Ok, ok we're slacking a bit with the Christmas tree. Mainly because customs in Croatia are quite different than ones in the US. Here people decorate the house and the tree on Christmas Eve. Not before. But we plan to break that tradition this year. Honestly, I can't wait that long for the tree to shine in our living room. We plan to decorate it this weekend. Yeey!
One of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes is this Honey Cinnamon Cookies as well. I've kinda promised that my Pumpkin Roll Cake will be the last pumpkin recipe this season and so with these soft and chewy, deliciously sweet Honey Cinnamon Cookies I am officially opening Christmas season on my blog. It's an oldie but goldie Christmas cookie recipe modified to be healthier.
To make these delightful cookies, you'll only need few simple ingredients. Did I mention that these Honey Cinnamon Cookies are super easy to make? Oh, yeah. Supeeeer easy, foolproof actually.
I used spelt flour to make these, but you can use any whole grain flour you have/prefer. I sweetened the cookies up with mild flavored raw honey and coconut sugar. I used warm winter spices - Ceylon cinnamon known for its health benefits and fragrant nutmeg that deepened honey and cinnamon tastes. You can play with spices here and add them to your liking. If you are a fan of cloves, you can add a bit of clove powder in the mixture. My hubby isn't such a fan, so I tend to omit cloves in cookies that I make for my family (although I love strongly scented cloves).
Make note that the dough needs to sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before baking (for fats to harden and flavors to combine), so take this into account. If you are super impatient (like me) just put the dough in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Only watch out for the dough not to freeze completely as it will be hard to form the dough into cookies afterward.
These perfectly smelling and sweet tasting Honey Cinnamon Cookies are one of those cookies that people tend to devour quickly. They are sweet smelling, soft and puffy on the inside, with a caramelized crunchy outside. Sooo good! Luckily it's easy to make a bunch of these at once. I bake Honey Cinnamon Cookies throughout the year, but these are somewhat special during Holiday season. Well, my house smells like Christmas cookie factory for quite some time now. Not just because of these cookies.
As you all may know it, I've been busy working on my NEW cookbook for past months. Well, after months of preparation, baking and photographing, editing and writing, I can happily announce that my first Healthy Christmas Cookies Cookbook is finally OUT! Yeeey! This is the cookbook you healthy holiday baking junkies have been waiting for.
Healthy Christmas Cookies cookbook is a collection of healthy cookie recipes, that have been adapted to be more nutritious – High Nutrient / Low Calorie – by using only natural HEALTHY wholesome ingredients. All cookies are made with WHOLE GRAINS and REFINED SUGAR-FREE. Say hello to guilt-free, relaxed Holidays!
You can check out my Healthy Christmas Cookies Cookbook HERE.
SO now you all know what kept me super busy lately. I plan to have happy healthy Holidays. Hope you will join me. Grab the whisks and start baking.
Enjoy!
Honey Cinnamon Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg powder
- 3/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil softened (not melted)
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl beat together softened coconut oil and sugar with an electric mixer for few minutes. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and honey. Beat until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet and beat until combined.
- Put the plastic wrap over the bowl. Refrigerate dough for 30-60 minutes, until it is completely chilled.*
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line several baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into small balls (about the size of a walnut), using a scoop or tablespoon. Place the balls on prepared baking sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the oven and let cool for a minute or two. Then transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
These are my picks for this recipe:
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Xoxo, Natalie
I used brown sugar instead of coconut sugar, but other than that followed the recipe. Chilled the dough for over an hour. The cookies spread out so much they covered the sheet pan. That wasn't so bad, the worst thing was that they taste only like nutmeg. I used Ceylon cinnamon which has a more delicate flavor. I wish I would have remembered that. If I were ever to make these again, I would definitely use less nutmeg to cinnamon.
Thank you for your feedback, Paula. I really appreciate it.
I never comment on these things but I just had to tell anyone who’s thinking of making them to do it!!! Best healthy cookies I’ve made in a while. I substituted applesauce for the oil and it worked amazing. Thanks so much for this recipe :)
Woohoo I'm so glad you like them. :))))) Thanks Zoe for lovely comment and subs info. Much appreciated. Cheers!
That looks so amazing! I will have to try this with my family. I can’t wait to try it! I bet it’s going to be delicious.
These look wonderful and would be a great cookie exchange party cookie!
I need a healthier Christmas cookie because I am going through 4-5 cookies a night! THanks for the delicious sounding recipe.
I love baking with whole wheat flour and spelt flour, so these are my kind of cookies! While I bake some decadent treats for the holidays, I like to have an equal amount of wholesome desserts too. I'll have to add these cookies to the list!
yes please. i want some right now! saving this for later. looks amazing
i usually don't like cinnamon but it sounds like its better with honey in the cookies. i'll try this!
My guys love Snickerdoodles, and I bet these would be similar. We might have to give these a try.
This flavor combination sounds so delicious. I would love to make these for my family!
I love anything with cinnamon so I am sure I like these cookies. I will make them this weekend.
This recipe is going to be perfect for me to bake and give to my neighbours for Christmas, thank you for the idea
These look so soft and delicious. I love the combination of honey and cinnamon. Perfect with a cup of tea this season!
I have a cookie exchange to go to on Thursday. I am going to have to take these!
These sound so amazing! I love using coconut oil in recipes. I can't wait to try these!!!
These sound like amazing Christmas cookies and we love the combination of Honey and Cinnamon. Perfect with some mulled wine x
There are so many cookies that you can make for holidays but there is only one type that you NEED to make - honey cinnamon cookies - they are delicious!
These look so perfect! My biscuits have a habit of looking far some round like this! Happy Christmas!
These cookies look so delicious. I need to make them for my family, they all love cookies for dessert
Those look absolutely fantastic! I want to frost them up with a nice layer of cream cheese frosting. I know they're cookies, but whatever.
Those sure would make great holiday gifts! I am in full baking mode over here today
These look amazing!!! The texture described is exactly how I like my cookies as well! I also can't believe that some people wait until Christmas Eve to put up their tree! AGH! lol
These look delish! I can almost smell them....
These look delicious! I add cinnamon to a lot of my baked goods because I find the flavor really amps up the taste.
I'm not crazy about cinnamon, but I'm sure this mixture with honey could make me appreciate it.
These sound great! I love a cookie that’s crunchy on the outside and soft inside!
Hi Natalie I can't find cocunt sugar anywhere here what cab I substitute with? Keep in mind I'm making them for someone who's diabetic
Tbanx
Hi Hana. I would substitute coconut sugar with muscovado sugar (that's really dark brown sugar) or plain brown sugar.
One of the best cookies I have EVER had. And I get so many compliments, people don’t even know they’re healthy! I leave out the nutmeg just because it’s not my favorite. I use sprouted whole grain Einkorn flour and coconut milk. I make a lot and freeze them wrapped in parchment paper in a ziplock bag. Leave them on the counter to defrost and if you leave it in the bag with the parchment paper, they stay soft FOREVER!
I'm so glad to hear that Tiffany. Thank you so SOOO much for this lovely comment and feedback. :)
I'm currently making this recipe, and after mixing all ingredients, but before chilling, the mixture has a "sand" consistency. Should I add more coconut oil or another egg?
Hmm... don't quite know what might be the problem here. Maybe sugar didn't dissolve completely during the mixing. I would try with adding one more egg white to add "moisture", or you can try leave the dough overnight, maybe sugar will dissolve in the meantime.
Untie those cookies and let me at them! They sound delicious.
Hehehe glad you like it Jeff. Hope you'll give it a go. Enjoy!
I so appreciate they you use a little alternative ingredients for this classic cookie: spelt flour, ceylon cinnamon, and nutmeg. It makes me look forward to the holidays!
It really does. :)
Can I use honey instead of the coconut sugar?
Unfortunately you can completely substitute coconut sugar with honey here. Recipe needs some sort of granulated sugar because its consistency.
Hello, tried these gorgeous cookies this afternoon and the bottoms came out burnt. The flavour overall is great but the burnt bottoms are unappealing and do change the taste. Any ideas what would cause this?
Hi Kathleen. Thank you for your feedback. Try putting baking pan in middle rack and decrease baking time - go with 8 minutes. Remove cookies from the oven, let them sit for minute on baking pan and then transfer them to cooling rack. If they stay on hot baking pan to long they are still baked from below. Let me know if this helps. :)
WOW I love these ingredients!! I'm always on the search for simple ingredient sweets and these sound perfect! I need to make them for sure!!
I need these cookies in my life! My 3 year old loves to bake with me so I'm adding this to our list of Christmas cookies to test out this month :)
These look absolutely amazing! I can't wait to make them with the kids!!
These look like the perfect holiday cookie! I think I actually have all the ingredients to make em'! *-*
These sound so yummy!! Will try these with almond flour.
Cinnamon is my absolute fav!! Especially when it involves cookies. :) These look great!
Wow, these look great! I think it might be too easy to devour these :D
I can understand why these cookies would be devoured quickly! They look so delicious!
These seriously look like the most perfect cookies ever. I'm printing this recipe so I can try these for holiday cookies this year!
I love cinnamon cookies those look fantastic!
love these simple and lovely spiced cookies!!!
Mmm these cookies look fantastic!
I love the flavor combo of cinnamon and honey! These look really delicious!