Indulge Your Sweet Tooth with These Delicious Sugar Free Cookie Recipes
Cookies are a classic treat that can be hard to resist, especially around the holidays. However, those managing diabetes or limiting sugar often have to avoid conventional cookie recipes. Fortunately, you can still enjoy delicious cookies by substituting smart sugar-free ingredients.
These creative sugar free cookie recipes allow you to indulge your sweet tooth without derailing your health goals. Whip up a batch to share for occasions or as a wholesome snack.
Choosing the Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking Cookies
The key to crafting tasty sugar free cookies is to choose the right low carb sweeteners. Here are some of the most popular sugar substitutes for baking:
- Stevia - Extracted from the stevia plant, it contains no calories or carbohydrates.
- Erythritol - Provides 70% of sugar's sweetness with minimal side effects.
- Xylitol - A sugar alcohol derived from birch trees and other plants.
- Monk fruit - This non-glycemic sweetener is extracted from monk fruit.
- Yacon syrup - Made from the yacon root, it is low glycemic and high in prebiotics.
- Allulose - A low-calorie sugar with the taste and texture of sucrose.
Experiment to see which sweetener you prefer. Many recipes combine a few different sugar substitutes to optimize both taste and nutrition.
Tips for Getting the Best Results from Sugar Free Cookie Recipes
Making sugar free cookies does require some adjustments to your usual baking methods. Here are tips for cookie success:
- Use banana, pumpkin, apple sauce, or Greek yogurt to add moisture lost from removing sugar.
- Allow thicker batters to rest so the sugar substitute can fully dissolve.
- Skip creaming butter and sugar, just beat briefly to combine.
- Fold in chocolate chips gently to keep gluten formation minimal.
- Chill dough thoroughly before baking, at least 2 hours.
- Bake at a slightly lower temperature and watch closely to avoid burning.
- Look for golden edges, set centers when testing doneness.
It may take some trial and error to adapt cookie recipes, but the results are worth it. Refer to recipe notes for best practices with each creation.
Delectable Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
You won't believe these chewy chocolate chip cookies are both diabetic-friendly and low in sugar. Hints of cinnamon and vanilla ensure plenty of flavor in every bite. Make this classic treat for your next cookie swap.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups almond flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup sugar-free maple syrup
- 1/4 cup erythritol
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup Lily's or other sugar free chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325F and line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a bowl, mix together the almond flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, whisk together the vanilla, applesauce, maple syrup, erythritol, and egg.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir to fully combine. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Scoop balls of dough onto the baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until set. Allow to cool on pan 5 minutes before removing to wire rack.
Wholesome Sugar Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Bursting with oats, raisins, and warm spices, these cookies will become your new favorite treat. They're secretly packed with nutrition thanks to the hidden zucchini and carrots.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded zucchini
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tbsp erythritol
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a mesh strainer, squeeze liquid from zucchini and carrots. Discard liquid.
- In a bowl, mix the oats, raisins, pecans, baking powder, and spices.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the zucchini, carrots, applesauce, erythritol, egg, and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and mix thoroughly.
- Scoop batter onto baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake 14-16 minutes until lightly browned around the edges.
Delectable Double Chocolate Cookies
For serious chocolate lovers, these fudgy double chocolate cookies will cure any craving. Spoil yourself or share this decadent sugar free treat with friends.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups almond flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup erythritol
- 3 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup Lily's sugar free chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the erythritol, avocado oil, almond milk, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix thoroughly. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Roll dough into balls and arrange on baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until set. Allow to cool completely on wire rack.
Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies
Spicy, fragrant pumpkin and cinnamon take these snickerdoodles up a notch. Enjoy this seasonal cookie as a tasty treat for fall holidays and gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 cup erythritol
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For coating:
- 1 tbsp erythritol
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, mix together the almond flour, coconut flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the erythritol, egg, pumpkin, and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and stir to fully combine.
- In shallow bowl, mix together 1 tbsp erythritol and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Roll dough into balls, then in cinnamon-erythritol mixture to coat.
- Arrange dough balls on baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes until lightly browned on bottom. Allow to cool on pan before removing.
Wholesome Apple Crumble Cookies
Bursting with juicy apple flavor and a crispy oat streusel topping, these cookies are a new twist on classic apple pie. Perfect for autumn!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 apple, peeled and shredded
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup erythritol
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- For streusel topping:
- 1/4 cup oats
- 2 tbsp chopped pecans
- 1 tbsp erythritol
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, mix together almond flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, mix shredded apple with lemon juice. Then add applesauce, erythritol, egg, and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and stir to fully incorporate.
- In a small bowl combine oats, pecans, 1 tbsp erythritol, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle streusel topping over each.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool before removing from pan.
Chewy Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies
These satisfying peanut butter cookies get their sweetness from bananas and cinnamon. Top with extra peanuts for a salty-sweet crunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups natural peanut butter
- 1 large banana, mashed
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2-3 tbsp chopped peanuts (for topping)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, mix together the peanut butter, banana, egg, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Use a fork to gently press balls into a cookie shape. Top with extra chopped peanuts.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool on pan before removing cookies.
Crispy Sugar Free Gingerbread Cookies
Bursting with nostalgic gingerbread flavor, these crunchy cookies are fun to decorate for the holidays. Make a batch to display or give as edible gifts.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tbsp molasses
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325F and line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and spices.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the applesauce, molasses, and egg.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll dough into balls and place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly into disks.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool completely before removing from pan.
- Decorate with royal icing and sprinkles if desired.
Key Takeaways
You don't have to forgo baked goods just because you're limiting sugar or managing diabetes. With smart substitutions, you can whip up crave-worthy yet wholesome sugar free cookie recipes. Savor these delightful low carb treats guilt-free. Just be sure to store them out of sight to avoid overindulging!
FAQs
Are sugar free cookies healthier?
Sugar free cookies made with smart substitutions can be a healthier option for those limiting sugar or carbs. Focus on recipes with fiber-rich whole foods over heavily processed sugar substitutes.
What is the best sugar substitute for baking cookies?
Erythritol, xylitol, and stevia are good sugar substitutes for baking that provide sweetness while keeping carb and calorie counts low. Combining a few different substitutes can optimize taste and nutrition.
Why are my sugar free cookies so flat?
Sugar free cookie dough may spread more during baking. Chilling dough thoroughly before baking helps cookies retain their shape better. Bake at slightly lower temperatures as well.
Can I use regular recipes and just swap the sugar?
You’ll get the best results using recipes formulated for sugar free baking. Adjustments like added moisture and reduced leavening help cookies turn out tasty with sugar substitutes.
How long do sugar free cookies stay fresh?
Properly stored in an airtight container at room temperature, sugar free cookies stay fresh for 5-7 days. Cookies made with alternative sweeteners tend to dry out faster than conventional recipes.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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