Healthier Ways to Make Holiday Cookies
Are visions of sugar cookies dancing through your head this time of year? Having a treat every now and then is good for us. If we don’t allow some treats then we end up feeling as if we’re punishing ourselves and then overindulge out of spite. It’s best when we try to stay in moderation.
If you want to make some sugar cookies, but are looking for a way to make them a little healthier without compromising taste, check out these substitutions below for the recipe from Well Plated.
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature - buy organic
1 cup granulated sugar - buy organic, unrefined
1 large egg at room temperature - buy organic
2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese at room temperature (do not use fat free) - buy organic
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - buy organic
1/2 teaspoon almond extract - buy organic
1 teaspoon lemon zest - buy organic
3 cups all-purpose flour - buy organic or organic gluten free 1:1 flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt - use pink Himalayan salt instead
For the Frosting:
3 cups powdered sugar - buy organic
3-4 tablespoons milk - buy organic or organic unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons light corn syrup - avoid high fructose corn syrup
3/4 teaspoon almond extract - buy organic
For Decorating:
Food coloring - buy Watkins dye-free
Sprinkles - use Watkins dye-free food coloring mixed with sugar
Check out the full recipe and enjoy a healthier cookie!
Most of these organic ingredients can be found at Kroger as their Simple Truth brand or Meijer’s True Goodness brand. Organic foods are typically less processed than conventional foods and contain simple ingredients. It’s also beneficial to avoid food-dyes. There are studies linking food-dyes with hyperactive behavior (especially in children), irritability, aggressiveness, and even cancer. By substituting conventional food coloring with a dye-free food coloring (typically made from fruits and vegetables), you are helping your brain stay healthier.
Looking for more wellness and time saving tips? Check out my FREE PDF download of 10 Budget Friendly Tips for Eating Healthy in Less Time.