After I saw Recipe Girl’s beautiful post, “25 Favorite Christmas Recipes,” I knew I’d have to do a similar gluten free post. You see, like everybody else, I’ve been slightly obsessed with Christmas desserts this month.
However, unlike many people, I’m Jewish, so I have a certain lack of confidence when it comes to identifying recipes that are Christmas friendly. Now, thanks to everyone who responded to my self-conscious twitter queries regarding Christmas-worthy cookie recipes I just might be in the know!
Here are my 10 favorite gluten free, grain free, higher protein, lower carb Christmas cookies. I hope you all enjoy them as much as we do!
Click on the image or recipe title to view the full recipe.
These crowd pleasing, whimsical Black and White Cookies are actually a New York deli classic. See, you can take the Jew out of New York, but you can’t take New York out of the Jew. Still, they’re a lovely riff on an “ultra-orthodox” treat that works at Christmas for Jews and Christians alike. Maybe Buddhists and Muslims as well, who knows?
Classic yet festive, Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies made with high protein almond flour are perfect for the Kris Kringle in all of us.
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Elegant Cranberry Chocolate Biscotti add European chic to your holiday table.
Can you say “adult friendly?” Deep dark chocolate and a hint of organic coffee merge to create Double Chocolate Mocha Cookies for the sophisticated Santa in you.
Adorable Gingerbread Men are the perfect decorating project for your children and a spicy palate pleaser for adults.
Vegans have feelings too –make these Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies for your plant eating friends.
According to Andrew Broznya (husband of Kelly at Spunky Coconut) his neighbors used to bring over a plate of Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies every year during the holiday season. These are made with heart healthy almond flour and low glycemic coconut sugar.
Last year one of my neighbors brought a version of my Pecan Shortbread Cookies to our Christmas time cookie exchange. She let me know that she had altered my recipe by forming the dough into balls and after taking them out of the oven dipping them in powdered sugar –the result? Gluten free nut ball cookies.
Simple Sesame Cookies contain both superfood almond flour as well as high protein, calcium rich tahini.
Celebratory Star Cookies rock your holiday universe, and are great fun for kids with cookie cutters.
For substitution questions about these cookies, be sure to take a look at the Can I Substitute? post I wrote yesterday.
Didn’t find the cookie recipe you were looking for? Well, check out all of my gluten free cookie recipes. And while we’re at it, let us know what desserts will you be trying this holiday season.
Stacy says
You need not be self conscious, we’ve tried at least half of those cookies and they are perfect for any holiday – Christmas included! Your biscotti are my personal Christmas favorites, I love to eat it on the sofa, dipping in my coffee, watching the kids play with all their new toys :)
Alisa says
You are too cute lady! I think ALL cookies are fair game for Christmas. I thought Christmas actually meant ‘time for cookies.’ :)
Linda Pecone says
Thank you Elana. I love the peanut butter cookies. I have been have such a great time following your recipes.
Gretchen @gfedge says
Great selection! I thought I was through baking for a few days but with these for inspiration, on second thought, I need more cookies :-)
Candy Kroeger says
I’ve tried making the star cookies a couple of times, but the dough is so wet that the shapes don’t easily release from the cookie cutter…any suggestions? Thanks!
AnnMarie Deis says
I find that depending on the brand of almond flour that you use, you might need to decrease the oil a bit (1 tablespoon or so). I hope it helps!
angela says
*LOVE these recipe ideas. Thanks so much for the inspiration. I am also having a Gluten free, healthy Christmas cookie recipe swap at http://WWW.homecookedhealthy.com so come share your recipes and get some tasty cookies for the holiday season.
Melissa C. says
Thanks for putting this together and linking to all of you other cookie recipes. They all look delicious, now to figure out which ones I will make first!
rachel says
your recipes are always helpful and insprirational to me. my family has many, and assorted, allergies including gluten. the vegan recipes today are especially helpful as i am vegan and my grandson is allergic to dairy. and although we do not celebrate christmas, i will use these recipes for the holiday baking i do for my very religiously and spiritually diverse friends and family. hope that’s ok.
Kathleen says
Thank you so much! These will be fun to experiment with year round.
Sandrine says
Thank you!