Holiday cut-out cookie recipes for the calorie conscience
Jodi Davis
| 2 min read
During the holiday season it’s inevitable that you will be tempted by a few delicious goodies. When the temptation occurs, I allow myself to indulge in a holiday treat or two; if I didn’t then I would feel deprived and I know what that can lead to. After twenty-five years of allowing the deprivation pattern to occur, I have learned that it’s better for me to enjoy a couple tasty morsels than to go completely without. That only seems to lead to enjoying too many morsels later … way too many.
Christmas cut-out cookies are at the top of my list when it comes to delectable treats. Even though I allow myself to enjoy these little December delights, I still prefer to keep the calorie content down as much as possible. Yet don’t let yourself think for a minute that I want to eat a cookie that tastes like cardboard; I enjoy a good-tasting cookie just as much as anyone else. I’d like to share two simple cut-out cookie recipes that are not only fun to make with family members, but will also allow you to take in the taste of the holiday season with a smile!
Low-fat sugar cookies
Ingredients:
5 tbsp butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Directions: Using a mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter and sugar until dough forms. Don’t worry if the dough seems a little crumbly at first; it will come together. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for two hours in the refrigerator.
5 tbsp butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Directions: Using a mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter and sugar until dough forms. Don’t worry if the dough seems a little crumbly at first; it will come together. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for two hours in the refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch thickness. Use holiday cookie cutters dipped in flour to make cutouts. Gather scraps and re-roll until all the dough is used.
Place cookies 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack after 1 minute to cool. . Top with sprinkles before baking or add a glaze afterwards using confectioner’s sugar, lemon juice and some food coloring
Nutritional Information (Makes about 36 cookies)
Per cookie: 136 calories; 3.2g total fat; 42.1mg cholesterol; 877mg sodium; 11.8g carbohydrates; 0.6g fiber; 13.7g protein
Per cookie: 136 calories; 3.2g total fat; 42.1mg cholesterol; 877mg sodium; 11.8g carbohydrates; 0.6g fiber; 13.7g protein
Do you have a favorite cut-out cookie recipe that you would like to share?
Photo credit: Aimeebakes
