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.
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.
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!
Usually I’m all about thick and chewy cookies (see exhibit A, exhibit B, exhibit C), 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?
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!
These healthier almond sugar cookies are light and super satisfying, making them a better-for-you holiday dessert tray options.
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp almond extract
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, chopped
- Confectioners' sugar for dusting
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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.
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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.
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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 1/8" thickness. Cut out cookie shapes and place cookies on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush off any additional flour from cookies before baking.
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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.
Prep time includes approximately 2 hours for chilling.
Adapted from Skinny Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies by Amy's Healthy Baking.
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
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!
Alyssa says
Yes absolutely! That’s how my mind works, too! haha
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
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!
Alyssa says
Haha! I have some outtakes with more than just a missing leg. 🙂 Might have taken a little snack break mid-picture taking!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
These little guys are super cute!! But not cute enough to not devour them!! 😉
Alyssa says
Haha agreed, Renee! 🙂 Thanks!
Alessandra // the foodie teen says
Looks absolutely mouthwatering! You always have such amazing ideas, and I love that first photo!
Alyssa says
Thank you Alessandra! I appreciate your sweet words. 🙂
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
LOVE this lightened up recipe for delicious cookies Alyssa! And how adorable do they look 🙂
Alyssa says
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!
Nostramomous says
Perfect little cookies for an afternoon coffee or tea break. Great photos Alyssa!
Alyssa says
Thanks! They’d be great with coffee or tea for sure. 🙂
marcie says
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!
Alyssa says
Thanks Marcie! And I agree – between parties, work break room goodies, and the holidays themselves, December is just packed with sweets!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
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! 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Kristine! Love those extracts haha!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
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 😉 Love these
Alyssa says
Oh that is tough timing, Kathy! A cruise in March sounds glorious though. After all the months of winter! Thanks!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
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!
Alyssa says
It’s a good one, Helen. 🙂 And thank you!
Annie @Maebells says
These are darling!! I haven’t done much holiday baking this year! I know that is terrible! I need to get on it!
Alyssa says
Thanks Annie! And I’m a little behind, too. How does life get SO busy??