Sugar-Free Christmas Cookies (Low Carb, Gluten Free)

These sugar-free Christmas cookies have the chewy texture and delicious taste of traditional sugar cookies, but without all the added sugar. Unless you baked them yourself, you'd never even guess they were healthy! Spread some creamy keto buttercream on these little beauties or pipe on fun holiday designs, and you've got the perfect cut-out cookies for the holiday season.

delicious keto sugar cookies

I never really crave a good sugar cookie until the holidays roll around.

It's sort of an obligatory cookie to bake at Christmas time, right? Especially when you have littles who like to "help" in the kitchen, like mine insist on doing.

These delicious almond flour sugar cookies (minus the sugar, of course) make this time of year even sweeter.

They're a healthier spin on the classic holiday cookie, using keto-friendly and low-glycemic ingredients to create a treat that won't spike your blood sugar levels but will still satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Do what we did and crank up some Christmas classics while baking these healthy "sugar" cookies. It'll begin to feel a lot like Christmas because cookies (and a little bit of Mariah) always do the trick!

why this recipe works

The key to getting the perfect sugar cookie texture for these Christmas cookies lies in the combination of low-carb flours like almond flour and coconut flour. Together, they make a great substitute for all-purpose flour.

Add the rest of your ingredients and you'll get cookies with a soft and chewy texture. 

I make these sugar-free cookies using monkfruit sweetener with allulose, my go-to for any low carb cookie! It's the perfect sugar substitute, and you can't taste the difference.

Cream cheese is also added to the dough to create an even thicker and richer texture. It helps make the cookie dough a little more pliable, which is great for cookie cutters. 

While these healthy Christmas cookies are delicious served plain, the holidays aren't quite the same without a frosted sugar cookie.

My keto-friendly buttercream frosting calls for powdered monkfruit sweetener instead of sugar (make sure to use the powdered blend as the granular kind will be gritty).

Whip until fluffy, add vanilla or almond extract (BOTH, definitely), and some all-natural food coloring if you're feeling fun.

My sugar-free Christmas cookies are:

• A delicious sweet treat for those on a keto diet or watching their sugar intake;
• Made with wholesome ingredients such as almond flour, coconut flour, and a monk fruit/allulose blend;
• Perfect for holiday gatherings or as gifts for loved ones;
• Easy to make and can be customized with different flavors and frosting options.

featured ingredients

• Butter. I often use grass-fed butter for its higher nutrient content, but any butter will do. See the recipe notes for a dairy-free alternative.
• Monk fruit sweetener. One of my favorite alternative sweeteners. I use both granulated and powdered monk fruit for this recipe.
• Egg. Adds structure and moisture, and acts as a binder which is even more crucial in low-carb and gluten-free baking. 
• Vanilla extract and almond extract. These extracts add a lovely depth of flavor to the cookies and frosting.
• Cream cheese. Use room-temperature cream cheese for the frosting to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
• Almond flour. A low-carb, gluten-free flour alternative made from ground almonds. It adds a nutty flavor and rich texture to these cookies.
• Coconut flour. Another gluten-free, low-carb flour option that works well in combination with almond flour. 
• Xanthan gum. A great gluten substitute, this ingredient helps give the cookies structure and the dough more pliability.

the recipe

With these step-by-step instructions, you'll have delicious sugar-free Christmas cookies in no time!

Make them with the kids for a fun holiday activity, or bring them to your next festive gathering.

Here's a look at the process but make sure to view the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all of the details.

1. First, use an electric mixer to combine the butter and granulated sweetener. Add the remaining wet ingredients. Mix until it's well combined.
2. Next, add the dry ingredients. Mix on low/medium speed until the dough is formed.
3. Work the cookie dough into a ball and form a disc shape. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
4. Roll out the chilled dough with a rolling pin until it's about ¼-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are slightly golden and crisp around the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely.
6. Make the buttercream by combining the frosting ingredients and beating with an electric mixer.
7. Frost the cooled cookies, serve, and enjoy!

how to decorate

There are so many sugar-free options, and here are a few of my favorites:

• Sprinkle shredded, unsweetened coconut on top of the frosted cookies
• Top with a sprinkle of chopped, keto-friendly chocolate chips
• Melt sugar-free chocolate and dip the cookies or use a spoon to drizzle it on unfrosted keto sugar cookies
• Chop nuts (like pistachios!) really fine and sprinkle them on a frosted cookie

tips for best results

• I like to roll out the dough between two pieces of parchment paper.
• The yield will vary depending on the shape/size of the cookie cutter you use.
• For a dairy-free version: To make these keto cookies dairy-free, swap the butter with ¼ cup ghee and ¼ cup coconut oil and the dairy cream cheese with vegan cream cheese.

storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

you might also love

• This keto pecan pie is a low-carb spin on the classic holiday dessert. The perfect amount of sweet!
• These little keto pumpkin cheesecake bites are filled with pumpkin and spices and topped with homemade whipped cream (all sugar-free!). It's like having bite-sized pieces of autumn in every bite! 
• This keto hot chocolate recipe is so creamy and chocolatey you can't even tell it's sugar-free! It's a must-have in our house on chilly days and during the holiday season.