Treats are a beloved part of many holiday traditions. It’s possible to enjoy them in moderation through making some healthier swaps. This recipe uses almond butter and applesauce to decrease the amount of saturated fat in each cookie. Using a sprinkle of coarse turbinado sugar versus decorating with a powdered sugar frosting helps keep the added sugar in check. Your kids will enjoy making this traditional cut-out cookie with you, and you can rest easy knowing this version is a bit better for them.
PREP TIME
30 Min + chilling
COOK TIME
8 Min
SERVINGS
25-35
DIFFICULTY
Easy
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup wheat flour
- Turbinado sugar for decorating garnish
Directions
- In a medium bowl, add egg, brown sugar, molasses, almond butter, and applesauce. Vigorously whisk to thoroughly combine.
- To the wet ingredients, stir in ginger, cinnamon, allspice, salt, baking soda, all-purpose flour, and wheat flour until well combined. Turn out onto plastic wrap and form into a rough ball. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Flour a flat surface and a rolling pin. Roll out the dough until approximately ¼-inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out gingerbread men, making about 25-35 total. Place gingerbread cookies on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Bake about 8 minutes, until puffed and slightly firmed. Let rest on the pan for 2-3 minutes, and then transfer to a cooling rack. Store covered at room temperature for several days or freeze for several months.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cookie | Calories: 70 | Total fat: 2g | Saturated fat: <1g |Total carbohydrate: 12g | Fiber: <1g | Protein: 2g
Recipe provided by Michelle Eaton, MS, RD, ThedaCare, courtesy of acouplecooks.com
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Tags: gingerbread cookies