It would be a rather large understatement to say I wasn’t hugely excited about going home for Christmas! I might be swapping weather perfection for layers of jumpers, hats and scarves but there’s something I simply love about being wrapped up all toasty inside when it’s chilly outside; not to mention a visit to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, mulled wine, mince pies and some good quality family time. I make no promises that my Christmas will be a treat-free zone (if you’ve been following my blog for a while you’ll know that I truly believe being healthy isn’t about complete restriction), but there are certain things you can do to balance out the choc-filled advent calendars and unusual amounts of chocolate and wine! Exercise is number one but making some delicious guilt-free Christmas treats is number two!

To celebrate national cookie day (yes it actually exists!) and my Christmas food excitement, I’ve baked the most delicious healthy Christmas cookies. Filled with raisins, pecans, cinnamon and nutmeg, they are everything you would want for a festive movie day under the blankets. These healthy Christmas cookies have a wonderful crunch on the outside and are too-good-to-be-true chewy on the inside. A glass of organic milk is the perfect pair for any Christmassy treat for me, so do it Oreo style and get dunking!

I hope you enjoy them and even though there’ll be plenty more of these to come”¦Merry Christmas!! If you have any healthy Christmas treats you’ve been dreaming about let me know as I’ll be baking crazy over the next few weeks and very happy to give your own festive treat dreams a go! Make sure to tag me in your cookie creations @LeanLivingGirl x

5.0 from 1 reviews

Christmas Cookies

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

25 mins

 

Healthy Christmas Cookies!

Author: Lean Living Girl

Recipe type: Cookies

Serves: 14 Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies

• 2 Cups Almond Flour
• 1 cup raisons
• 4 medjool dates
• ¼ cup whole pecans
• ⅛ cup pumpkin seeds
• ⅛ cup Chia seeds
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp grated nutmeg
• ½ tsp ginger powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 3 level tbs apple sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tbs coconut oil

To Dip

• 50g 85% dark chocolate
• Unsweetened desiccated coconut to sprinkle

Instructions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 210℃
2. Place the pecans into a blender and pulse into small pieces. Remove and repeat with the dates until completely chopped up.
3. Place all the ingredients into a mixing bowl except the honey, apple sauce and coconut oil.
4. Mix on a low speed until everything is combined.
5. Then add the apple sauce and honey and continue to mix until the liquids are absorbed. Add the coconut oil bit by bit until a sticky dough forms. (You may not need all 3 tbs).
6. Roll the dough into small balls and flatten out slightly with your hands.
7. Press down on the dough with the star cutter (aiming for 1cm thickness) and leave on a lined baking tray.
8. *Tip!* If you place the cutter in a bowl of very cold water before you shape the dough each time, it helps to make the stars neat and avoid the dough sticking to the cutter.
9. Bake the cookies in the pre-heated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Leave to cool for 15 minutes on a cooling rack. This is important otherwise the outside won't be crunchy.
11. Whilst the cookies are cooling, melt the dark chocolate over a bowl of boiling water and then dip the stars into the chocolate up to half way.
12. Sprinkle over the coconut and place in the fridge for 30 minutes for the chocolate to harden.
13. Enjoy!

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