Description
These Healthy Sugar Cookies are a delicious and nutritious twist on traditional sugar cookies, made with whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners like coconut sugar and unsweetened apple sauce. Perfect for a guilt-free treat, they have a tender texture and subtle sweetness, ideal for decorating or enjoying plain.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar or cane sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut sugar and unsweetened apple sauce. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well blended and uniform in texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Crack the egg into the bowl along with the vanilla extract. Stir the mixture until everything is fully incorporated and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking powder, and kosher salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients bowl. Stir well until the dough comes together and no streaks of flour remain.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and place it in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up, which will make rolling and cutting easier.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for baking when your cookies are shaped.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface. Roll out the chilled dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into your desired shapes.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the cut-out cookies on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing them to allow slight spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep an eye to avoid overbaking.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate (Optional): Once cooled, decorate the cookies with icing or sprinkles as desired to add a festive or personal touch.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and to prevent spreading during baking.
- Whole wheat flour provides added fiber and nutrients, making these cookies healthier than traditional sugar cookies.
- Use coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index sweetener option compared to cane sugar.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax or chia egg, and ensure your sugar choice is vegan-friendly.
