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.
Shannon says
Love this! Thank you for sharing these yummy GF recipes!!
Elana says
Shannon, you’re very welcome!
Cecelia says
Thank you!
Cassandra Sharron says
I Thank you for the good good good food! I am so happy your site is here, but I don’t need the recipes emailed to me, just NOT yet??? Thanks Though?
Angela says
Thank you so much for allowing me and my daughter to have our special time in the kitchen making cookies for the holidays. I appreciate your time and patience in creating delicious treats for all of us who crave that yummy something sweet. My Favorite cookies….. The Black and white cookies!!!
Happy Holidays!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
You are so sweet to give me a shout-out! I can’t wait to try a few of these w/ my Mom this next week! XO
mpv61 says
I have the same plates and my youngest son has the same pajamas as pictured in the gingerbread men picture!
These recipes look great; thank you.
claudia says
For Christmas I like the butter cookies, lemon poppyseed bunny cookies, star cookies, and valentines cookies–all cut in Christmas shapes, hamantaschen, biscotti, coconut macaroons (bottoms dipped in dark chocolate), Black & White cookies, and of course gingerbread people. I LOVE your ginger cookies (I add minced candied ginger) and even give them as gifts, but in my family they aren’t ‘fancy’ enough to qualify as ‘Christmas cookies.’
Elana Daley says
So excited about new cookie recipes among the old faithfuls. I too am Jewish and have found out that so many of my friends locally are too! Making cookies is a holiday affair and not limited by the spiritual choices but rather grown by them. Thanks so much for a bigger variety! Will be attending a cookie exchange at a local winery this weekend so I’ll be experimenting with new recipes, sharing, and enjoying those made by others. Yeah!
Chi-Chi says
Thanks so much for this!