The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and, of course, delicious treats. If you're following a ketogenic diet, you might think you have to miss out on all the fun. But fear not. There are plenty of keto-friendly Christmas treats that will satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your diet. Baking keto Christmas cookies is one of the best things about December!
Why Keto Christmas Treats?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that forces the body to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. This can lead to weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and other health benefits. However, the restrictive nature of the keto diet can make it challenging to enjoy traditional holiday treats, which are often loaded with sugar and refined carbs.
Keto Christmas treats offer a solution by using low-carb flours, sugar substitutes, and healthy fats to create delicious and festive desserts that fit within the parameters of the keto diet. This means you can indulge in the holiday spirit without feeling guilty or sacrificing your health goals.
Key Ingredients for Keto Christmas Cookies
Keto Christmas cookies are made with low carb flour such as almond flour or coconut flour. Instead of sugar they contain a sugar substitute. Here are some of the key ingredients you'll need for baking keto Christmas cookies:
- Almond Flour: A low-carb, gluten-free flour made from ground almonds. It provides a slightly nutty flavor and a tender crumb to baked goods.
- Coconut Flour: Another low-carb, gluten-free flour made from dried coconut meat. It's highly absorbent, so you'll need less of it compared to almond flour.
- Sugar Substitutes: Erythritol, allulose, monk fruit sweetener, and stevia are popular keto-friendly sweeteners that provide sweetness without raising blood sugar levels. For crispy cookies, use erythritol-based sweeteners. For soft cookies I recommend allulose.
- Healthy Fats: Butter, coconut oil, and cream cheese add richness and moisture to keto cookies.
- Spices and Flavorings: Vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and other spices enhance the flavor of keto Christmas cookies and add a festive touch.
Essential Equipment
You'll need a mixing bowl, fork or electric mixer for blending, and a baking sheet just like for regular cookies. The most important thing you'll need is parchment paper. We use it to line the baking sheet and to cover the dough when rolling it out because it is stickier than regular dough.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Keto Christmas Cookie Recipes
Here are some popular and festive keto Christmas cookie recipes to try this holiday season:
Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
As cliché as it is to say it, after taking your first bite of one of these keto cookies, you'll be shocked that they are keto. These have just the right about of sweetness, without any weird aftertaste (which can be common with alternative sweeteners). These are crunchy cookies that are a hit with my family every time I make them. This recipe for keto chocolate chip cookies has the approval of my 3 resident cookie monsters! We think they are the perfect combination of soft chewiness with a crunchy edge and I get regular requests to make them.
Gluten-Free Almond Thumbprints
The buttery, gluten-free base to these versatile keto cookies pairs well with just about any filling. Pair them with raspberry, blackberry, strawberry-the world is your oyster when it comes to these adorable, bite-sized treats. Thumbprint cookies are a Christmas classic. These jam thumbprint cookies are very easy to bake, attractive, and tasty. They have been a holiday staple for many years. This recipe is rich in high-quality grass-fed butter and sugar-free sweeteners. And that raspberry jam? You won’t find any hidden carbs in there either.
Keto Gingerbread Cookies
Nothing says the holidays like some ginger snap cookies. Gingerbread men (and women) are arguably the most essential Christmas cookies to have in your holiday repertoire. This low-carb recipe uses ground ginger, (no artificial flavorings), and a symphony of other spices to provide a sweet and spicy treat for you and your family. Swerve sweetener makes an excellent icing option so you can decorate sugar-free to your heart’s content. Get into the holiday spirit with these cute sugar free gingerbread cookies! They have a gluten free hazelnut flour dough and are spiced with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
Cookie Dough Keto Fat Bombs
Fat bombs alone make us want to go try more keto treats, but we'll take any excuse to eat cookie dough. These are perfect to keep stored in the freezer for whenever the craving hits.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Keto Snickerdoodles
Since you're baking this batch into bars, over scooping out a couple dozen individual cookies, these snickerdoodles maintain just the right amount of chewiness. Blanketed with the sparkly cinnamon-sweetener mix, each square is every bit as beautiful as the original. Everyone loves snickerdoodles, but it’s hard to find low-carb varieties out there. These snickerdoodle cream cookies contain only one net carb per cookie, and are so rich and flavorful you won’t believe they’re sugar-free. These keto snickerdoodle cookies are such fun. They are made with a fathead dough and dusted with "cinnamon sugar", which is, of course, sugar free.
Magic Keto Cookies
These cookies are seriously magical. Super easy to make and without any flour, you can feel good about eating way more than just one. Make sure neither your coconut oil or butter is melted. You want them both at room temperature (but still solid) or the cookies will spread too much while baking.
Walnut Snowball Cookies
These snowball cookies are big on walnut flavor, just how we like them. A perfect recipe to make with kids, we’re adding this one to our permanent holiday rotation. Let it snow! These buttery cookies are a must-have in your Christmas cookie assortment. They’re rich in fat and flavor, and contain only one net carb per cookie.
Keto Oreos
Just because you're keto doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun. Keto desserts can be tricky, but luckily, these Oreos are super-simple! Top these on your next batch of keto ice cream. Satisfy your Oreo cravings with these keto Oreo cookies!
Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
No-bake cookies are one of our favorite ways to satisfy a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, some on the keto diet may think that they can't find a no-bake cookie recipe that is worth making. And those people will be proven very wrong after trying one of these chocolate covered cookies. These five-ingredient chocolate cookies are incredibly simple to make, but bursting with chocolatey flavor. To make them even more festive top them with powdered monk fruit sweetener or sugar-free candies. These classic combination of chocolate and nuts make a great alternative to keto fat bombs. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and no-bake - they couldn’t be easier!
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Keto Pecan Crescent Cookies
These pecan cookies are about to become your family’s favorite. It's easy to see why-crumbly pecan cookies meet a simple glaze, making them completely irresistible. These sweet Italian cookies with a hint of anise seem to show up everywhere around the holidays.
Chocolate Keto Cookies
These sweet little stars are not only delicious, but they add a beautiful Christmas charm to your dessert table.
Keto Snickerdoodle Shortbread Cookies
Who doesn't love a good snickerdoodle?! We took inspiration from one of our all-time favorite cookies for this keto shortbread, with the addition of shredded coconut and coconut flour for a hint of tropical flavor. We're hooked.
Keto Peanut Butter Sandies
These will be a clear winner among lovers of peanut butter and fans of sandies: The crumbly texture comes naturally from the almond flour and coconut flour adds another layer of nuttiness. With a sprinkle of salt and crushed, naturally sweet toasted pecans, these are undeniably the best keto cookies around. These everyone’s favorite girl scout cookie, and now you can enjoy them sugar-free and with only one net carb per cookie.
Keto Cookie Dough Bars
Chocolate pinwheel cookies are as fun as they are flavorful. And with only 2.5 carbs for two cookies, you can go to town on these little guys.
Keto Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
This creamy, chocolatey, brownie-packed treat is chock-full of rich chocolate ice cream, brownie bites, chocolatey chips, and a decadent fudge swirl.
Keto Almond Crescent Cookies
These are traditional German Christmas cookies, with my sugar free twist.
Keto Microwave Cookie
Sometimes you feel just like one single cookie, right? Well, that's exactly where this recipe comes in. Choose from 4 different flavors and make a single serve microwave cookie in minutes.
Chocolate Coconut Haystacks
Not all cookies require an oven! These coconut haystack cookies come together in minutes and cool in the fridge. Perfect for all fans of chocolate. Every year, I bring a bag to my mother-in-law as an edible gift.
Flourless Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
These flourless Keto peanut butter cookies are ready in no time at all!
Keto Lemon Cookies
Sometimes it is nice to take a break from all the festive spices. These lemon cookies are zesty and fragrant. Made with fresh lemon juice and cashew butter, these lemon cashew cookies are soft, chewy, and super satisfying. If you’re not a big cashew person, try making them with almond butter or macadamia butter. Ideal for folks who enjoy fruit-forward desserts! Keto Lemon Cookies come with an irresistible glaze and are so easy to make!
Coconut Flour Cookies
Any coconut fans out there? These coconut flour cookies are virtually carbohydrate-free. So many people these days prefer coconut flour cookies. This is the best coconut flour cookie recipe I have ever made. Coconut lovers will adore these deliciously chewy keto macaroons dipped in sugar free chocolate.
Keto Thumbprint Cookies
These are such fun to make. We fill them with a quick sugar free raspberry jam.
Keto No Bake Cookies
This is a fun cookie recipe that does not require baking.
Keto Oatmeal Cookies
Who else misses oatmeal cookies? These keto friendly oatmeal cookies do not contain actual oats. Instead, they use a clever substitute that is low carb and has the exact same texture! Oatmeal cookies are another classic. While you can certainly whip up a batch of oatmeal cookies any time of the year, if you want to hit all the must-haves in your Christmas cookie assortment, you can’t leave oatmeal cookies behind. You need 11 easy ingredients to whip up a batch of chewy oatmeal cookies.
Keto Banana Cookies
Here is a wonderful way to use up an over-ripe banana from your fruit bowl. These banana cookies are buttery and soft and taste a bit like bite-sized banana bread. Don't worry - the carb count per cookie is low and totally keto friendly!
Keto Pumpkin Cookies
For all fans of pumpkin. These cookies are super soft and moist.
Sugar Free Nutella Cookies
Perfect for anyone who is missing Nutella in their life! This recipe uses my cheat's version of Nutella. Hint - it is absolutely sugar free.
Keto Almond Butter Cookies
You only need 3 ingredients for this recipe.
Keto Butter Spritz Cookies
My son's fave. They look pretty because we pipe them into little rosettes.
Keto Amaretti Cookies
You won't believe how feathery-light these cookies are. They taste just like the original Italian amaretti cookies.
Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
My whole family loves peanut butter, so these cookies always go down well.
Chocolate Avocado Cookies
Avocado is the secret in these extra creamy chocolate cookies.
Keto Brownie Cookies
A truly decadent cookie recipe that tastes just like miniature brownies.
Keto Brownie Cookies
A truly decadent cookie recipe that tastes just like miniature brownies.
Keto Snickerdoodle cookies
These keto snickerdoodle cookies are such fun. They are made with a fathead dough and dusted with "cinnamon sugar", which is, of course, sugar free. These are crunchy cookies that are a hit with my family every time I make them.
Other Keto Christmas Dessert Ideas
While cookies are a holiday staple, there are many other keto Christmas desserts to enjoy. Here are a few ideas:
- Keto Cheesecakes: Rich and creamy cheesecakes can be made keto-friendly by using almond flour or coconut flour for the crust and sugar substitutes for sweetness.
- Keto Brownies: Fudgy brownies can be adapted to the keto diet by using almond flour or coconut flour and sugar substitutes.
- Keto Fudge: This melt-in-your-mouth fudge is so much better than anything you’ll buy at the store. If you’re a fan of peanut butter, get ready to love this recipe. Easy Low-Carb Chocolate Fudge - 5-Ingredient Low-Carb Chocolate Fudge Recipe made dairy-free and sugar-free with cleaner ingredients.
- Keto Bark: This simple sugar free treat has a sweet flavor with a tiny bit of crunch. Use those pecans and add a little protein and healthy fats to your holiday diet. If you’re a fan of sweet and salty, this bark recipe is for you. Check out the simple steps - and then enjoy every bite.
- Keto Mousse: These sugar free mousse Christmas trees are the epitome of easy and you can make this dessert in minutes. Both my son and my father in law who is diabetic loved them. These keto sweet treats look great and would be the perfect dessert for a Christmas party or get together.
- Keto Cranberry Orange Bread: Keto Cranberry Orange Bread made with coconut flour and sweetened with sugar-free sweetener for a zesty cranberry-studded low-carb breakfast, snack or dessert! This easy sweet quick bread recipe is moist, fluffy, and you’d never know it is grain-free and sugar-free!
- Keto Pots de Crème: 3-ingredient dairy-free Keto Pots de Crème are a rich, creamy chocolate dessert that is low-carb and super easy to make!
- Keto Peanut Butter Buckeyes: Peanut butter and chocolate come together in one peanut butter ball of heaven for a tempting sweet treat.
- Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake: A true delight during the holiday season, this Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake is made dairy-free, requires no baking, and is spiced to perfection!
- Keto No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars: This amazing treat tastes just like a peanut butter cup!
- Keto Carrot Cake Bread: If you’re like me, carrot cake is appropriate for any and all occasions! This Low-Carb Carrot Cake Bread is grain-free, dairy-free and sugar-free!
- Death by Chocolate Keto Brownies: Seriously the fudgiest, most decadent and rich brownies you’ll ever encounter! These low-carb brownies are well worth the effort to fully achieve chocolate satisfaction.
- Dairy-Free Low-Carb Cheesecake: This easy no-bake keto cheesecake recipe requires only 7 ingredients!
- Keto Cinnamon Swirl Bread: Keto Cinnamon Swirl Bread is rich, light and fluffy and reminiscent of cinnamon rolls.
- Keto Pumpkin Pie Bars: These easy bars taste just like regular pumpkin pie, but are sugar-free, dairy-free, grain-free and so fun and easy to make!
- Low-Carb Peanut Butter Pie: Dairy-Free Low-Carb Peanut Butter Pie is a smooth, creamy, silky pie with a delicious chocolate crust and chocolate ganache.
- Keto Blueberry Coffee Cake: Lush, moist and fluffy Keto Blueberry Coffee Cake with an amazing cinnamon swirl, studded with berries is a lovely breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
- Keto Cowboy Cookies: An all-the-textures, all but the kitchen sink sort of cookie, loaded with goodies to make you swoon! Think of them as amazing chocolate chip cookies with shredded coconut, pecans, and a secret ingredient.
Tips for Baking Keto Christmas Cookies
- Use a kitchen scale: Measuring ingredients by weight is more accurate than measuring by volume, especially when using low-carb flours.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can develop the gluten in almond flour, resulting in tough cookies.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Use parchment paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Monitor baking time: Keto cookies can burn easily, so keep a close eye on them and adjust the baking time as needed.
Storing Keto Christmas Cookies
Yes. Most keto holiday cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container.