Gathering with relatives and friends to swap favorite confections is a welcome break from the season’s rush. And let’s be honest: nothing says holiday cheer like a cookie jar so full the lid barely closes. I’m a registered dietitian nutritionist, but when it comes to holiday baking I lean more elf than Scrooge. Still, I love giving classic, butter-rich recipes a healthier twist. This year, consider starting a new cookie swap tradition that includes a few better-for-you treats. While these recipes aren’t calorie-, fat- or sugar-free, they incorporate ingredients that add nutrition to every delicious bite.
Ready to enjoy cookies with a little extra benefit? Below is a roundup of favorites from Liz’s Healthy Table and a selection of recipes from fellow food bloggers. You’ll notice many recipes use ingredients such as nuts and nut butters, whole wheat flour, whole grain oats, pumpkin, dried fruit, and warming spices—simple swaps that boost flavor and nutrition without sacrificing indulgence.
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Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies from Liz at Liz’s Healthy Table (photo above)
Flourless Nut Butter Cookies from Shannon A. Garcia, MDS, RD, LD at KISS in the Kitchen
Grandma’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Kelly at Eat Real Live Well
Cardamom Chickpea Cookies with Pistachios from Roxana at The Delicious Crescent
Healthy Homemade “Fig Newton” Cookies from Kelli at Hungry Hobby (photo above)
Pumpkin Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies from Lauren at Bite of Health Nutrition
Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Cookies from Judith Scharman Draughon, MS, RDN, LD, author of Lean Body, Smart Life
Rainy Day Chocolate Chip Cookies from Diana at The Baby Steps Dietitian
Oatmeal Flax Chocolate Chip Cookies from Elyssa at Food 4 Success
Lavender Almond Cookies from Sharon at The Plant-Powered Dietitian (photo above)
Spicy Ginger Cookies from Chelsey at C It Nutritionally
Pumpkin Nutella Breakfast Cookies from McKenzie at 20-Something Nutrition
Mama Sharon’s Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookies from Willow at C&J Nutrition
Peanut Butter Blueberry Cookies from Tawnie at Kroll’s Korner (photo above)
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cara at Street Smart Nutrition
Oatmeal Lace Cookies from Emsley at Emsley Willingham
5-Ingredient Microwave Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Elysse at The Nutrition Twins
Raspberry Almond Dark Chocolate Bark from Deborah at Dietitian Debbie (photo above)
Easy Chocolate Almond Truffles from Marisa at Marisa Moore Nutrition
Peanut Butter S’Mores Bars from Jenny at My Cape Cod Kitchen
Homemade Cereal Nut Bar from Lillian at CrumbInk
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cups from Julie at RDelicious Kitchen (photo above)
Tahini Crispy Brown Rice Treats with Dark Chocolate Ganache from Willow at C&J Nutrition
Almond Pistachio Cocoa Bites from Amy at Amy Gorin Nutrition
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Balls from Amanda at The Nutritionist Reviews
5-Ingredient Raw Brownie Bites from Chelsey at C It Nutritionally (photo above)
Cashew Delights Sandwich Cookies from Carolina at Once Again Nut Butter
Homemade Dark Chocolate Chunky Bar from Jenna at Make Healthy Easy
Chocolate Cherry Almond Biscotti from Judy at Live Best
Raw Vegan Gingerbread Truffles from Kara at The Foodie Dietitian (photo above)
Chocolate Maca Coconut Butter Cups from Willow at C&J Nutrition
Easy, Healthy Gingerbread Muffins from Sarah at Sarah Remmer
Date and Nut Power Bars from Jenny at My Cape Cod Kitchen
Which cookie would you bring to a swap? Share your favorite and inspire the next batch of better-for-you holiday goodies.