Some of our best memories as kids were in the kitchen baking Christmas cookies with our mother. And now, with our own children, this is still one of our favorite things to do. The difference is that with the hectic holiday season, we no longer have to worry about finding a full day to bake as we’ve created some fun, delicious, and healthy Christmas cookies that don’t take an entire afternoon to make. We’re so excited that these cookies are easy to make for the kids, fun – and healthy too – but nobody needs to know! 😉
One of the best parts of these cookies is the holiday twist – the cranberries! These sweet treats are nutritional powerhouses, and their red sheen makes the cookies so festive. And as registered dietitians who love to pack nutrients into our children, we love that cranberries contain beneficial bioactive compounds known as PACs that help reduce the incidence of certain infections and help maintain a healthy urinary tract. Cranberries can help maintain cardiovascular health thanks to these bioactive compounds that improve blood cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and improve inflammation and oxidative stress (we’re never too young – and neither are our children – to care for our hearts to protect!).
With only 82 calories per delicious cookie, You’d never believe these sweet treats have the health benefits of cranberries, Plus, fiber and nutrients. And while some cranberry products, like dried cranberries and cranberry juice, contain some sugar for palatability, the dietary guidelines for Americans state that healthy eating habits allow for nutrient-dense foods with added sugar as long as the calories from added sugar are lower than 10% per day – and we certainly think cranberries, a festive and delicious superfruit, are a great choice, especially when paired with the other great ingredients in these biscuits!
One of the things we love about these cookies is how easy they are to make and how kids of all ages can help!
Healthy cranberry holiday cookies
Served: 12 biscuits
Ingredients:
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
½ cup of oatmeal
3 TBSP. almond butter
½ tsp almond extract, optional (use the higher amount if you like it with a more almond flavor)
3 tbsp almond flakes
1/3 heaped cup of dried cranberries
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 ° F.
- In a medium bowl, crush the banana. Add almond butter, almond extract, and oats and stir until well mixed. Stir in the cranberries and almonds.
- Place 2-1 / 2 tablespoons of the mixture on a greased baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven when fully cooked.
Nutritional information per serving (1 biscuit): 82 calories, 12 g carbohydrates, 3 g fat, 2 g protein, 25 mg sodium, 2 g fiber
The Nutrition Twins are creating recipes using cranberries this Christmas season to enjoy their flavor and health benefits.