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Celebrate the season with a batch of classic Christmas cookies. From Vanilla Candy Cane Peppermint Bars to Chocolate-Coconut Thumbprints, we’ve reduced the carbs, calories and sugar—but kept the flavor—in your favorite holiday cookie recipes. Bake these delicious diabetes-friendly cookies today!
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
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02of 13Cinnamon Icebox CookiesView RecipeSlice-and-bake icebox cookies are the ultimate make-ahead treat. You can make a batch and bake as many as you like, saving the rest of the dough in the freezer. These simple swirled cookies are rolled in finely chopped pecans. They’re mildly sweet—perfect for after dinner or paired with coffee.
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Cinnamon Icebox Cookies
Slice-and-bake icebox cookies are the ultimate make-ahead treat. You can make a batch and bake as many as you like, saving the rest of the dough in the freezer. These simple swirled cookies are rolled in finely chopped pecans. They’re mildly sweet—perfect for after dinner or paired with coffee.
03of 13Mbatata (Sweet Potato Cookies)Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoView RecipeMy first Kwanzaa celebration was on January 1, 2022, after we were married in 2021. I made our first batch of these Mbatata cookies, and they were a hit, so much so that they have become part of our yearly celebration menu. Mbatata cookies are made with sweet potatoes and originated in Mawali. They are heart-shaped to represent the location of Malawi within the African continent—in the center and the heart of the land.
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Mbatata (Sweet Potato Cookies)
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
My first Kwanzaa celebration was on January 1, 2022, after we were married in 2021. I made our first batch of these Mbatata cookies, and they were a hit, so much so that they have become part of our yearly celebration menu. Mbatata cookies are made with sweet potatoes and originated in Mawali. They are heart-shaped to represent the location of Malawi within the African continent—in the center and the heart of the land.
04of 13Cranberry-Coconut Oatmeal CookiesBrittany ConerlyView RecipeIn this installment ofDiaspora Dining, Jessica B. Harris' series on foods of the African diaspora, the author and historian rings in some changes to the Christmas traditions of her own childhood.
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Cranberry-Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
Brittany Conerly
In this installment ofDiaspora Dining, Jessica B. Harris' series on foods of the African diaspora, the author and historian rings in some changes to the Christmas traditions of her own childhood.
05of 13Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal CookiesView RecipeThis recipe takes oatmeal cookies up a notch with its cinnamony, buttery, delicious take on a much-loved classic dessert.
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Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
This recipe takes oatmeal cookies up a notch with its cinnamony, buttery, delicious take on a much-loved classic dessert.
06of 13Flourless Chocolate CookiesView RecipeThese flourless cookies get their volume from whipped egg whites (like a meringue) instead of grains, making them gluten-free and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A chocolate chip in each bite adds to the rich chocolate flavor.
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Flourless Chocolate Cookies
These flourless cookies get their volume from whipped egg whites (like a meringue) instead of grains, making them gluten-free and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A chocolate chip in each bite adds to the rich chocolate flavor.
07of 134 Ingredient Peanut Butter CookieView RecipeThis irresistible diabetic-friendly peanut butter cookie recipe contains no flour. For Christmas or special occasions, imprint them with cookie cutters to fit the season instead of the star-shaped cutter.
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4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie
This irresistible diabetic-friendly peanut butter cookie recipe contains no flour. For Christmas or special occasions, imprint them with cookie cutters to fit the season instead of the star-shaped cutter.
08of 13Espresso Walnut Marzipan CookiesWilliam DickeyView RecipeMarzipan is typically made with almonds, but here we use walnuts to make the marzipan for these nutty cookies. The espresso flavor is delicate, but adds a nice bitterness to the cookie. If you prefer, you can brew your own espresso and use that instead of instant espresso.
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Espresso Walnut Marzipan Cookies
William Dickey
Marzipan is typically made with almonds, but here we use walnuts to make the marzipan for these nutty cookies. The espresso flavor is delicate, but adds a nice bitterness to the cookie. If you prefer, you can brew your own espresso and use that instead of instant espresso.
09of 13Ginger & Spice CracklesView RecipeThese soft and moist cookies are spiked with ginger, cinnamon and a hint of clove and they crackle on top when they bake. Rolling them in powdered sugar gives them a lightly sweet coating on the outside that looks like a dusting of fresh fallen snow.
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Ginger & Spice Crackles
These soft and moist cookies are spiked with ginger, cinnamon and a hint of clove and they crackle on top when they bake. Rolling them in powdered sugar gives them a lightly sweet coating on the outside that looks like a dusting of fresh fallen snow.
10of 13Pfeffernüsse (German Spice Cookies)William DickeyView RecipePfeffernüsse are small spiced German cookies commonly seen during the holiday season. Translating to “pepper nut,” the aromatic cookie gets its name from the pinch of pepper added to the dough—here, we use white and black pepper for a punch of flavor. The sweet orange glaze helps balance the pepperiness of the cookie’s spices. Serve with a cup of warm mulled wine.
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Pfeffernüsse (German Spice Cookies)
Pfeffernüsse are small spiced German cookies commonly seen during the holiday season. Translating to “pepper nut,” the aromatic cookie gets its name from the pinch of pepper added to the dough—here, we use white and black pepper for a punch of flavor. The sweet orange glaze helps balance the pepperiness of the cookie’s spices. Serve with a cup of warm mulled wine.
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Bev’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
12of 13MeringuesView RecipePerfect meringues depend on totally yolk-free whites. The seemingly fussy step of separating each egg into a small bowl before combining them guarantees yolk-free whites for bakeshop-quality meringues every time. These crispy little morsels travel well and make great gifts too.
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Meringues
Perfect meringues depend on totally yolk-free whites. The seemingly fussy step of separating each egg into a small bowl before combining them guarantees yolk-free whites for bakeshop-quality meringues every time. These crispy little morsels travel well and make great gifts too.
13of 13No-Sugar-Added Vegan Oatmeal CookiesSoft, chewy and no added sugar! Sweeten these classic oatmeal cookies with ripe bananas and raisins or dates. Plus, a touch of nut butter adds lots of flavor and holds the cookies together while keeping them vegan and gluten-free.
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No-Sugar-Added Vegan Oatmeal Cookies
Soft, chewy and no added sugar! Sweeten these classic oatmeal cookies with ripe bananas and raisins or dates. Plus, a touch of nut butter adds lots of flavor and holds the cookies together while keeping them vegan and gluten-free.
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