The holiday season is often filled with sweet temptations—from rich cookies and pies to decadent cakes and pastries. While it’s perfectly okay to enjoy your favorite holiday delights, sometimes it’s nice to have a few lower-sugar options that you can indulge in without going overboard. Below, you'll find tips for making better choices and a simple recipe for low-sugar holiday cookies that taste great while keeping your sugar intake in check.
Tips for Healthier Holiday Indulgences
Practice Portion Control If there’s a truly irresistible treat—like Grandma’s famous fudge or a slice of pecan pie—go ahead and enjoy it but opt for half a cookie or half a slice of cake instead of the full portion. That way, you get to savor the flavor without derailing your healthier eating goals.
Balance with Nutrient-Dense Foods When you know you’ll be indulging later, make sure the rest of your day’s meals include plenty of lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains. This balance helps keep your energy levels stable and reduces the likelihood of overindulging.
Choose Natural Sweeteners If you’re baking at home, consider cutting down on granulated sugar by using alternatives like stevia, monk fruit, or even unsweetened applesauce in some recipes. These can help reduce your sugar intake while keeping treats tasty.
Stay Hydrated Drinking water throughout the day helps curb cravings and keeps you feeling fuller. It can also mitigate the urge for a second or third helping of sweets.
Low-Sugar Holiday Spice Cookies
Ingredients
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour (or a 50/50 mix of whole wheat and all-purpose)
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger (add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves if you like extra spice!)
¼ cup melted coconut oil (or unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly)
¼ cup granulated sweetener of choice
For lower sugar, consider using a sugar alternative such as monk fruit or a baking blend of stevia and sugar.
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons molasses (you can reduce to 1 tablespoon if you prefer even less sugar)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Mix dry ingredients:In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger.
Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil (or butter) and sweetener. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses until well combined.
Combine wet and dry: Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until you have a cohesive dough. If the dough is too sticky, pop it into the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to firm up.
Roll and bake: Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, form balls of dough. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Lightly press down on each cookie with your palm or the back of a fork.
Bake:Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set. The cookies will be slightly soft in the center and will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Cool and enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Closing Thoughts
The holiday season should be about enjoyment and celebration, not deprivation. By choosing low-sugar alternatives when possible and practicing mindful portion control, you can have the best of both worlds—indulging in holiday treats while staying on track with your wellness goals. Whether you’re baking healthier goodies at home or opting for half a slice of that decadent cake at a party, small changes can make a big difference over the festive season.
Happy Holidays and Happy Baking!