Holiday Cookies Recipes

These cut-out cookies are a stand-in for gingerbread. Their sweet cinnamon taste is a nice change from the strong spices often used in holiday cookies.

Cream cheese balls with confectioners sugar topping

Traditional cookies get a tasty twist!

These cookies get two thumbs up in terms of nutrition!

Thumbprint cookies are a tradition during the holidays, but this one offers extra nutrients, lower fat and great flavor.

This recipe uses some ingredients that might be new to you. Spelt flour is available in small bags in the baking aisle at large grocery stores, and agave nectar is found at health food stores or online. (Some larger supermarkets might also carry it.) Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that has a lower glycemic index than sugar, but you can sub honey.

You may substitute your favorite low-fat granola cereal for the Ezekiel 4:9, but be sure the granola does not contain any fruit, which will affect the texture of the cookie. I used a Superfruit Spread from Trader Joe's, but a fruit-juice sweetened preserve will work just as well. Because spelt takes some time to absorb liquid, it is best to refrigerate this dough overnight.

This recipe was created by Patricia Huller C.C.E., M.Ed., a culinary instructor and healthy baking expert from Cincinnati State's Midwest Culinary Institute, especially for SparkRecipes.

I adapted this recipe from the Pillsbury recipe "Peppermint Crunch Cookies". I made my own sugar cookies - Easy Fluffy Sugar Cookies (http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-det
ail.asp?recipe=840741) instead of using their pre-made dough to reduce the calorie count a little.

*These are not necessarily diet friendly. They are a great treat and perfect for holiday parties. This is a fun and easy recipe to make with your kids!*

The taste of these remind me of holiday nights at my parents farm; sitting by the fireplace listening to christmas music.

A sugar cookie with crushed candy canes and butter...eat in moderation

I adapted this recipe from the Pillsbury recipe "Peppermint Crunch Cookies". I made my own sugar cookies - Easy Fluffy Sugar Cookies (http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-det
ail.asp?recipe=840741) instead of using their pre-made dough to reduce the calorie count a little.

*These are not necessarily diet friendly. They are a great treat and perfect for holiday parties. This is a fun and easy recipe to make with your kids!*

I adapted this recipe from the Pillsbury recipe "Peppermint Crunch Cookies". I made my own sugar cookies - Easy Fluffy Sugar Cookies (http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-det
ail.asp?recipe=840741) instead of using their pre-made dough to reduce the calorie count a little.

*These are not necessarily diet friendly. They are a great treat and perfect for holiday parties. This is a fun and easy recipe to make with your kids!*

A fun, seasonal twist to a standard chocolate chip cookie

Sugar cookies with a nice royal icing.

These are oatmeal cookies with a difference!