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.
HA says
I am puzzled, i did not think Jews celebrated anything to do with
Jesus Christ. Biblically speaking, they never accepted this ‘gentile’
man as the expected son of God. So i humbly ask; why the christmas spirt? Does this not go againstall Jewish beliefs?
By the way, the cookie recipes are very nice.
Amy says
In response to “why the Christmas spirit”: Who said Christmas cookies had anything to do with Christ? They have as much to do with Christ as pine trees, Santa Claus and holiday shopping. Holidays are fun, and many of Elana’s readers celebrate Christmas, so why not?
Rachel says
Huh? What is your point? Are Jews not able to celebrate Christmas in a non-religious way? I can’t tell if there is a wave of the anti-Semitic in your comment.
Helen says
Hi HA,
Jesus Christ was born as a Jew, not a gentile.
Some Jews did accept him as the Son of God, and some still do today.
Christina says
Thank you for sharing.
Does anyone know why Elana does not use agave nectar that is in all the book recipes? Thanks!
Ali says
Yum! :)
Chris Harrysson says
I literally logged in to FB today thinking, “I winder if Elana has posted anything to satisfy my sweet tooth in a less unhealthy way…..”. Thanks for all you do!!
Pat says
My favorite Christmas cookie is a traditionally gluten free cookie from Switzerland called Zimtsterne, which means cinnamon stars. They are made with ground almonds and flavored with cinnamon and Kirsch (a non-sweetened cherry brandy). The recipe is posted on my site.
To make my healthy version I simply use coconut palm sugar rather than regular sugar. You can also change the flavorings.
Just for fun I also posted a list of gluten free Christmas cookies from an old cookbook of my grandmother’s. The recipes aren’t modern, but are already gluten free, and fun to read and to get ideas.
I hope you enjoy them!
Pat
Kelly says
Those sesame cookies look divine! Can’t wait to try them!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
Elana ~ these all look fantastic! Especially the black and white ones :)
Archena says
Thanks Elana! I have already bookmarked all the egg free recipes here, would love to try each one, just not now, it is the holidays – I am just too busy with work right now.
Amy says
Fantastic job, Elana!
In regards to the Black and Whites crossing religious boundaries,I’d say they could definitely work for Buddists. Just rename them “Yin and Yang Cookies.”
AnnMarie Deis says
Elana, you are the most gracious person! You don’t celebrate Christmas, yet you were generous enough to offer some suggestions in the way of Christmas cookies. You are simply awesome!!!!!
Thank you!
P.S. I’ve sent AT LEAST ten people your way in just the past three weeks alone. Do you think there is an awareness of gluten-related illnesses???