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Healthy Holiday Cookies

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These wholesome holiday cookies are a soft, cakey and lightly sweet treat made with better-for-you ingredients like whole wheat flour, coconut sugar and a touch of butter. Topped with a creamy Greek yogurt and cream cheese frosting sweetened naturally with maple syrup and vanilla, they’re a nourishing way to celebrate the season. Festive enough for a cookie platter, yet wholesome enough for everyday!
Course Dessert
Keyword holiday, cream cheese, cookies, holiday dessert, healthy cookies, greek yogurt
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 16 cookies

Ingredients

For sugar cookies:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry flour)
  • ¾ tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • ½ cup butter (melted)
  • 3 Tbsp. milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla

For cream cheese icing:

  • 4 oz. full fat cream cheese (at room temperature)
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 Tbsp. maple syrup (or honey)
  • ¾ tsp. vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove cream cheese from fridge to bring to room temperature.
  • To a medium mixing bowl, add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and whisk to combine well.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk cooled melted butter and coconut sugar together briskly for 30-60 seconds, until the mixture is well combined. Whisk in milk and vanilla.
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  • Use a small ice cream scoop or spoon to portion the dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2” apart. The cookies will hold their rounded shape and bake up soft and cakey.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, until cookies are starting to set. They may look undercooked, but they will continue cooking as they cool.
  • While cookies are baking, make your icing! Add softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, maple syrup and vanilla to a bowl. It’s best to use a hand mixer on medium speed for five minutes, until smooth and fluffy. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides as needed. If you do not have a hand mixer, use a whisk and whisk vigorously until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
  • When cookies are done, remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Once completely cooled, ice your cookies with prepared icing. Option to add dye-free sprinkles and enjoy!

Notes

  • These cookies are best if eaten right away. Can be kept at room temperature for a few hours, then stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • Store any leftover icing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.