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    Home Β» Recipes Β» Winter

    Healthier Almond Sugar Cookies

    Published: Dec 16, 2014 Β· Modified: Sep 8, 2018 by Alyssa Β· This post may contain affiliate links.

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    I bet I know what thoughts you've been having over the past few weeks. They have to do with the holidays, right? And more specifically - baked goods? You've been thinking that you haven't eaten a cookie in awhile. Knew it!

    Pffffffft.

    JK.

    Thin person-shaped sugar cookies on a placemat dusted with powdered sugar.

    It's cookie overload eeeeverywhere! 'Tis the season to loosen your belt a notch and triple your cookie consumption without judgment. I'm certainly right there with you and enjoying every second of over-indulgence. But sometimes (juuust sometimes) my sweet tooth is ready to tap out and savor a lightened up dessert. You know, save that rich and fudgy peppermint mocha cookie cake for someone else.

    Someone else as in me. Tomorrow.

    Person-shaped sugar cookies on a placemat before (left) and after (right) being dusted with powdered sugar.

    These sugar cookies are loaded up with almond flavor and are seriously lightened up! By my rough calculations each cookie is approximately 80 calories. That officially makes multiple trips past the dessert table bearable. I know butter is in hot demand this time of year, but you'll have no need to worry about careful butter budgeting with these babies. The whole batch uses just three tablespoons! Less butter + full taste = happy skinny jeans. Woooohoo!

    A sugar cookie with a leg removed on a placemat.

    Usually I'm all about thick and chewy cookies but these almond sugar cookies combine the best of both worlds. Right as they've cooled these cookies are slightly crisp, but become chewy and soft after a day or so. In either state they're brimming with crunchy chopped almond slivers, which is a total win in my mind.

    Side note: does anyone else randomly walk past the pantry and give the almond extract a big whiff?

    A close-up of confectioners\' sugar-dusted cookies.

    In the interest of keeping things lighter, I decorated these cookies simply by dusting some confectioners' sugar over top. In the interest of recipe development (and full disclosure) I also used these cookies as a vehicle for transporting a fab dessert dip into my mouth that you'll see on the blog in the next few days. Y-U-M. If you're looking to do a little festive decorating, these cookies would be the perfect candidates. They're smooth and are sturdy enough to be handled without making crumbs - essential, right? Whichever route you go, these cookies are sure to please!

    A close-up of confectioners' sugar-dusted cookies.

    Healthier Almond Sugar Cookies

    These healthier almond sugar cookies are light and super satisfying, making them a better-for-you holiday dessert tray options.  
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Cookies
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
    Servings: 24 cookies
    Calories: 76kcal
    Author: Alyssa

    Ingredients

    • 1 Β½ cup all-purpose flour
    • ΒΎ teaspoon cornstarch
    • ΒΌ teaspoon baking powder
    • β…› teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
    • 1 egg, at room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ΒΎ teaspoon almond extract
    • 2 tablespoon honey
    • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
    • Β½ cup granulated sugar
    • Β½ cup sliced almonds, chopped
    • Confectioners' sugar for dusting
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter, egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, honey, and lemon juice. Add sugar to bowl with butter mixture and mix until well-combined.
    • Pour wet ingredients into bowl with the flour mixture and stir until everything is just combined. Stir in chopped almonds until a cohesive dough has formed and all ingredients are mixed. If the dough is still exceedingly sticky, add additional flour a teaspoon or two at a time and mix in. Press dough into a rectangular shape approximately 1" thick and wrap snugly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
    • Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a nicely floured surface (and with a rolling pin coated in flour), roll out chilled dough to an approximately β…›" thickness. Cut out cookie shapes and place cookies on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush off any additional flour from cookies before baking.
    • Bake cookies for 8-11 minutes, or until edges have slightly browned. Let cookies cool on pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for cookies to cool completely. Once cookies have fully cooled, dust with confectioners' sugar for serving, or decorate with icing.

    Notes

    Prep time includes approximately 2 hours for chilling.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 12.1g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 2.6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 5.7g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this Recipe?Tag @mysequinedlife - I love to see what you're making!

    Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.

    Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer

    Adapted from Skinny Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies by Amy's Healthy Baking.

     

    « Whole Wheat Gingerbread Waffles
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chris @ Shared Appetite says

      December 23, 2014 at 9:10 am

      These cookies sound amazing! And since they are on the healthy side, that means I can eat double of them, right? That's how my mind works!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 23, 2014 at 9:39 pm

        Yes absolutely! That's how my mind works, too! haha

        Reply
    2. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says

      December 18, 2014 at 7:24 pm

      Great looking cookies! I LOL'd to see the cookie with the missing leg! That's where I would've started too. The problem is, I wouldn't have stopped there! Hahaha!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 19, 2014 at 8:06 am

        Haha! I have some outtakes with more than just a missing leg. πŸ™‚ Might have taken a little snack break mid-picture taking!

        Reply
    3. Renee@Two in the Kitchen says

      December 18, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      These little guys are super cute!! But not cute enough to not devour them!! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 19, 2014 at 8:06 am

        Haha agreed, Renee! πŸ™‚ Thanks!

        Reply
    4. Alessandra // the foodie teen says

      December 18, 2014 at 9:27 am

      Looks absolutely mouthwatering! You always have such amazing ideas, and I love that first photo!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 19, 2014 at 7:58 am

        Thank you Alessandra! I appreciate your sweet words. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    5. Nora @ Savory Nothings says

      December 17, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      LOVE this lightened up recipe for delicious cookies Alyssa! And how adorable do they look πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 17, 2014 at 9:33 pm

        Thanks Nora! There are too many delish goodies this time of year...a little lightened up corner of the dessert table is the least I could do!

        Reply
    6. Nostramomous says

      December 17, 2014 at 12:01 pm

      Perfect little cookies for an afternoon coffee or tea break. Great photos Alyssa!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 17, 2014 at 9:30 pm

        Thanks! They'd be great with coffee or tea for sure. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    7. marcie says

      December 17, 2014 at 10:47 am

      I could use these lightened up cookies right about now -- I've been eating way too many and need to start eating healthier! Good thing the holidays are only once a year! These cookies look so tasty, and I love the sound of the almond extract!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 17, 2014 at 9:26 pm

        Thanks Marcie! And I agree - between parties, work break room goodies, and the holidays themselves, December is just packed with sweets!

        Reply
    8. Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says

      December 17, 2014 at 7:37 am

      I love baking healthier treats, and these almond sugar cookies look fantastic! Whenever my kids and I bake, we always have to each take a good whiff of the vanilla and almond extracts. Glad we're not alone! πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 17, 2014 at 9:15 pm

        Thanks Kristine! Love those extracts haha!

        Reply
    9. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says

      December 16, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      I started eating really clean a few days ago trying to tone up for the cruise we are taking in March. I don't know what I was thinking starting right before Christmas and in the middle of the baking season. But since these are healthier, they fit into my diet πŸ˜‰ Love these

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 16, 2014 at 11:30 pm

        Oh that is tough timing, Kathy! A cruise in March sounds glorious though. After all the months of winter! Thanks!

        Reply
    10. Helen @ Scrummy Lane says

      December 16, 2014 at 3:34 pm

      ooh, dessert dip ... can't wait!
      Meanwhile, love the idea of multiple guilt-less trips to the dessert table. They're so pretty, as well!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 16, 2014 at 11:28 pm

        It's a good one, Helen. πŸ™‚ And thank you!

        Reply
    11. Annie @Maebells says

      December 16, 2014 at 12:19 pm

      These are darling!! I haven't done much holiday baking this year! I know that is terrible! I need to get on it!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        December 16, 2014 at 11:23 pm

        Thanks Annie! And I'm a little behind, too. How does life get SO busy??

        Reply

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