‘Tis the season to bake up some yummy diabetic Christmas cookie recipes for those holiday season parties and the guests you’ll soon be hosting. If you’re looking for healthy Christmas cookies you can enjoy without affecting blood sugar, then this collection of delicious cookies will not disappoint! There are holiday cookies here to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth!
About These Diabetic Christmas Cookie Recipes
You will see many of these delicious recipes use almond flour or coconut flour to avoid the carbohydrates in traditional all purpose flour or whole wheat flour.
Also, many of these are labeled as a sugar-free cookie recipe, and people with diabetes are used to seeing that. But you will also find in this list have originated as keto Christmas cookies.
While I don’t follow or suggest following a keto diet, keto cookie recipes (or other keto dessert recipes) can be helpful to those with diabetes. Here’s why. A traditional keto diet allows an extremely minimal amount of carbohydrates through the day, so their desserts typically have very few carbs. That can be helpful for you and me. It helps us to enjoy desserts that would typically result in a blood sugar spike, and then we can balance our carbs through the rest of our meals.
A NOTE ON SWEETENERS AND SUGAR ALCOHOLS In Diabetic Christmas Cookie Recipes
There are several ways to sweeten foods without using straight sugar. With diabetes, we want to limit added sugars. So we turn to a sugar substitute or other sweeteners (in moderation), like natural sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and artificial sweeteners for our sugar-free cookies recipe. Because cookies need a sweet taste, whether we use sugar or not. So here’s a quick run down if you’re not familiar.
- SUGAR ALCOHOLS like erythritol and xylitol don’t raise blood sugars because they aren’t absorbed during digestion. While I’m new to these sweeteners, I have heard xylitol is a 1:1 ratio to sugar, but may have a bit of trouble melting. And it’s said to be poisonous to pets. Also, some sugar alcohols may be linked to digestive and other health issues. So use moderation and your own judgement.
- NATURAL SWEETENERS like monkfruit and stevia come from plant sources and don’t raise blood sugar. There is very little research around these, but they are known not to affect blood sugar. Monkfruit for example is a 1:1 ratio to sugar, so you can simply use monkfruit for whatever amount of sugar is listed in the recipe. Isn’t that handy?
- ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose are low on the Glycemic Index, so they may or may not affect blood sugar levels. (Caution: Aspartame was labeled by the World Health Organization as potentially cancer-causing, but the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics disagrees — they say you can’t eat enough of it to cause cancer. Again, use your own discretion.)
The bottom line? Do your homework and talk with your doctor or dietician to find out what sugar alternatives are best for you. But the good news is that different sweeteners can be easily converted to a different type in these great recipes!
SWEETENER CONVERSION CHART For Diabetic Christmas Cookie Recipes
Many people who use sweeteners other than sugar have a preference on what they like to use in certain recipes. If you’d like to use a different kind of sweetener than the ones listed in these recipes, here’s a handy sweetener conversion chart by That’s Low Carb?!.
Now on to our collection of a dozen diabetic Christmas cookie recipes! Click on the links below the photos for step-by-step instructions for each great recipe.
1. Keto Shortbread Almond Flour Cookies
If you love a traditional shortbread cookie, then this low-sugar Christmas cookie version just might be your jam. Dipped in chocolate and nuts and left to dry on parchment paper or a wire rack, this buttery shortbread cookie recipe with just 4 ingredients has only 1.7g net carbs! They also have a 10 minute prep time and only use one large bowl to whip together. Winner!
2. Keto Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
You had me at salted caramel on this one. A rich caramel flavor, yummy dark chocolate, and a sprinkle of sea salt? Yes! Also, this recipe has 6g protein per cookie. So I’m in on this delicious treat for sure! Plus, a chocolate chip cookie is always a perfect choice.
3. Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
This particular recipe is not only made with no added sugar, but it’s grain free and only 165 calories per serving. Who doesn’t love classic chocolate chip cookies (but made in a diabetic-friendly way)?
4. Sugar-Free Oatmeal Cookies
I love a good oatmeal cookie every now and then. In fact, I have one of my favorites on the blog already — my Diabetic Friendly Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries and Chocolate Chips. But this recipe comes across like an oatmeal recipe but doesn’t actually contain actual oats, and it has not quite 3g carbs per cookie. So you’re gonna have to try this one, friend!
5. Sugar Free Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodle cookies are toward the top of my list of holiday treats. The fluffy bite and then the warm cinnamon taste just remind me of Christmas. And one of the reasons I enjoy this recipe is because it offers several baking options that include gluten free, low carb, and keto.
6. Keto Peppermint Dipped Chocolate Cookies
This one is for all you chocolate lovers — a delicious chocolate cookie recipe. Then add in peppermint pieces, and you’ve got a sweet treat perfect for the holidays. It only has 2g carbs per cookie, so enjoy your favorite desserts!
7. Vanilla Almond Shortbread
Most recipes will call for either vanilla extract or almond extract, but the idea of the two flavors together is super appealing! These low-carb cookies are only 5g carbs for 3 cookies too, so that’s a definite win!
8. Low Carb Gingerbread Cookies
What’s a low carb Christmas cookie recipe list without a gingerbread cookie? This is a solid recipe for people with diabetes because it makes low carb Christmas cookies, and they’re gluten free with no added sugar. So get the cookie cutters and piping bag ready. Then call the kids into the kitchen for some yummy Christmas fun!
9. Keto Sugar Cookies with Icing
Even a “sugar” cookie with icing can be diabetic friendly with all the ingredients and options we have in baking today. This healthy sugar cookies recipe makes a traditional cookie dough you roll out with a rolling pin and then cut into shapes with your favorite cookie cutter. Once you bake the cut-out cookies, the result is a soft and chewy center with a more crisp edge. So yes, they’re perfect with milk!
10. Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Pecan Cookies
Between all the cookies and all the pies around the holidays, this season is when pecans are at their peak in the kitchen. The warm cinnamon flavor and then the crunch of the pecans has me ready for one of these right now!
11. Keto Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies
A soft cookie with a citrus glaze? Absolutely! Although I typically think of lemon in the spring and summer, I could get behind a lemon-y Christmas for sure. I’m actually thinking of making some of these with orange in place of lemon for Christmas soon. (And I think the best way to enjoy these is with a cup of coffee!)
12. Keto Peanut Butter blossoms
Here’s a twist on classic peanut butter cookies. Rounding out our dozen diabetic Christmas cookie recipes is a cookie with one of my all-time favorite things: peanut butter. Also, any time it pairs with chocolate, I’m there for it. These traditional flourless peanut butter cookies use almond flour to cut carbs and still taste delicious. This recipe is a definite Christmas gift!
Your Favorite Christmas Cookies
I would love to know what type of cookie is your favorite recipe for the holidays. Leave me a comment below and let me know.
STORING FOR LATER
Many of these cookies can be stored at room temperature. For best results, place cookies in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
Integrating These Diabetic Christmas Cookie Recipes into Your Diet
Be sure to work this into your diet how you best manage your diabetes. And be sure to count the total carbs (or net carbs when dealing with fiber) in the specific products you use. Different brands vary in ingredients, so be doubly sure of the nutritional information in what you’re eating. Enjoy!
NOTE: I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician. Nothing here should be taken as professional medical advice. Any nutritional information provided should be used as a general guideline and estimate only. For the most accurate information, please calculate based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, as well as any changes you make to the recipe.
PIN Diabetic Christmas Cookie Recipes FOR LATER
MORE RECIPES TO ENJOY
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