Indulge in the holiday spirit with this guilt-free Sugar Free Christmas Cookie Recipe.
Made with almond flour, cocoa powder and coated in a dusting of Swerve powdered sugar, they're perfect for sharing with loved ones who are following a low sugar diet.
These snowball cookies are just one of the many delicious treats in my full collection of Christmas cookies, designed to help you celebrate the holidays with joy and flavor!
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You asked for more diabetic-friendly Christmas cookies, and I listened!
Inspired by my childhood favorite, these sugar-free snowball cookies (similar to Mexican Wedding Cookies) are made with almond flour and coated in Swerve Confectioner Sugar for a festive treat everyone can enjoy.
Looking for more sugar-free treats? Try my Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies or my collection of Diabetic Holiday Cookie Recipes.
Table of Contents
- Sugar Substitute for Baking
- Sweeteners Often Used in Diabetic-Friendly Desserts
- Almond Flour Christmas Cookies
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Baking Tips:
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- How to Freeze Cookie Dough Balls
- Storage and Thawing Tips
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Sugar Substitute for Baking
Looking for sugar substitutes this holiday season? Here's a list of options to help you bake delicious treats while managing your sugar intake. Remember to check your recipe for the best substitute!
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Monk Fruit Extract
- Agave
- Stevia
- Sucralose
- Saccharin
Sweeteners Often Used in Diabetic-Friendly Desserts
If you'd like to learn more about stevia and how it works as a sugar substitute, this helpful article from WebMD explains the basics and how it’s used in place of sugar
Truvia Sweet Complete Zero-Calorie Granulated All-Purpose Stevia Leaf Sweetener, 32 oz Bag
NOW Foods, Erythritol, Great-Tasting Sugar Replacement, Zero Calories, Low Glycemic Impact, Kosher, 2.5-Pound (Packaging May Vary)SPLENDA Stevia Zero Calorie Sweetener, Plant Based Sugar Substitute Granulated Powder, Single Serve Packets, 80 Count
Almond Flour Christmas Cookies
Almond flour is a fantastic choice for baking cookies, especially when you're looking for a gluten-free or lower-carb option. It lends a naturally sweet, nutty flavor and creates a wonderfully soft and tender texture.
Cookies made with almond flour tend to be a bit more delicate, so handle them with care. Keep in mind that almond flour absorbs moisture differently than wheat flour, so you may need to adjust the amount of wet ingredients in your recipe.
But the result? Delicious, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a touch of nutty goodness!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Chopped Nuts - add ½ cup of either chopped pecans or chopped walnuts to the batter before baking.
- Red or Green Sugar - you can sprinkle red or green sugar on top of the cookies as soon as they have been rolled in the powdered sugar. Please note that this will add a little bit of sugar to the recipe. Only do this if you can have the additional real sugar.
- Extract Flavorings: Feel free to swap out the mint extract for your favorite flavor, like almond, vanilla, or even a citrus zest!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Then add the Swerve Confectioner Sugar.
Step 2: Add the egg and mint extract. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is mixed evenly before beating for another minute or two.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, salt, and cocoa powder. Gradually add this dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 4: Continue to beat until the dough comes together. You may need to add a few tablespoons of water for the dough to come completely together. When I made this recipe I added 4 tablespoons of water.
Baking Tips:
- Because this recipe uses almond flour, the dough might be dry and not come together like a regular cookie dough. Add a tablespoon of water at a time until it forms a dough you can work with like the photo above.
- Make sure you roll the cookies in the Swerve Powdered Sugar while they are still warm.
- That way the powdered sugar will adhere to the cookies.
Step 5: Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Aim for around 30 cookies, keeping in mind that they'll spread slightly while baking.
Baking Instructions
Step 6: Bake the cookies in a preheated 325°F oven for about 12 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Let them cool slightly on a wire rack before tossing with powdered sugar while still warm (but not hot!).
Step 7: Once the cookies have cooled slightly, gently toss them a few at a time in the Swerve Powdered Sugar. Return them to the baking sheet to finish cooling.
Step 9: After the cookies have cooled for a few minutes, you may need or want to add more powdered sugar. Use a sifter to gently sprinkle the sugar on top for a fresh look.
Before You Begin!
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How to Freeze Cookie Dough Balls
This Sugar Free Christmas Cookie Recipe can easily be prepared ahead of time by freezing the unbaked cookie dough balls:
- Place the cookie dough balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Then place the baking tray in the freezer to flash free the unbaked cookies for about 30 minutes.
- Once frozen, place the dough balls in a freezer-safe plastic bag. The cookies can stay frozen like this for up to 3 months.
- To bake the cookies, remove from the freezer and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let the cookies sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes and then proceed with baking per the instructions above.
Storage and Thawing Tips
Pantry: Store the baked and cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days on the countertop or in the pantry.
Refrigerator: You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freezer: For best results, freeze these cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before storing them in an airtight container. This prevents them from sticking together and helps them maintain their texture. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Thawing Tips: For the best flavor and texture, thaw the cookies in the refrigerator overnight. Just before serving, give them another sprinkle of powdered sugar substitute for that freshly-made look.
📖 Recipe Card
Sugar Free Christmas Cookie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ cup Swerve Confectioners Sugar
- 1 ¾ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure mint extract
- 1 egg
- 1 cup Extra Swerve Confectioners Sugar for coating cookies.
Method
- In the bowl of a KitchenAid Mixer, beat the softened butter for a few minutes. Then add the Swerve Confectioner's Sugar.
- Next, add the egg and the mint extract and continue to beat for another minute or two.
- Combine the almond flour, salt and cocoa powder together and slowly add it to the butter, sugar, egg mixture.
- Continue to beat until the dough comes together. If you notice the dough is not coming together, slowly start adding a tablespoon of water at a time until the dough is combined and looking like the photo.
- Roll the dough into 1 inch sized balls and set on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in a 325°F oven for 12 minutes or until the cookie balls are firm to the dough.
- Remove and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Place about ½ cup more of Swerve Confectioners Sugar in a shallow bowl and roll the cookies in the sweetener.
VA says
DO YOU THINK THESE COULD BE MADE INTO A BAR COOKIE?
Lois says
Thanks so much! This recipe works best as individual cookies. Because it’s sugar-free, the dough doesn’t bake evenly as a bar and may turn out dense. I recommend sticking with the cookie shape for best results.