Cookies Cookies Cookies!

favorite, festive cookie recipes

One of the best things about the holiday season is COOKIES! Baking them and gifting them is truly an act of love. Here are a few of my favorite cookie recipes that each are on the better-for-you side, made with healthy fats and less sugar, but definitely with all of the love and deliciousness.

Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season. Enjoy!

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Gingerbread Chocolate Chunk Biscotti

Photo by Goran Kosanovic for The Washington Post

These biscotti have all the appeal of the traditional twice-baked treat: a satisfying crunch that holds up to an enthusiastic dip into cappuccino (or whatever your brew is) and just the right level of sweetness. Subtly seasoned with the warm, fragrant spices of gingerbread and loaded with chunks of dark chocolate, they’re ideal for the holidays. It’s also nice to know they are a more healthful choice, made with olive oil, whole-grain flour and less sugar than most cookies.

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Greek-Style Olive Oil Sesame Cookies

Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg for The Washington Post

These scrumptious cookies — a take on the Greek cookie, Kolourakia Lathiou — are made with olive oil instead of butter, which not only makes them better for you, but it also gives them a delightfully crunchy, crumbly texture and subtle savoriness. Seasoned with orange essence, cinnamon, cloves and a shot of brandy, their flavor is warm and fragrant. A coating of nutty sesame seeds delivers extra substance as well as a festive flair.

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Peanut Butter Cookies

Photo by Quentin Bacon

My husband loves peanut butter so I make these for him whenever I can. It’s like magic the way a few simple ingredients can turn a basic pantry staple- creamy peanut butter- into this fabulous, melt-in-your-mouth, sweet-salty cookie. They can be dipped in melted chocolate too, to make them extra-special.

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