Healthy Gingerbread Cookies (Vegan and Paleo)

Gingerbread cookies are synonymous with Christmas and the best way to indulge is with healthy, tasty ingredients.  This easy recipe can be made with little helpers so the whole family can get involved in the Christmas spirit!

Healthy Gingerbread Cookies | Simply Fresh Dinners

Is baking cookies an annual tradition at your house?  I know with life being so busy that it’s hard to squeeze the time in but even one day with a couple of recipes can create some wonderfully warm Christmas cookies for little ones.  I still remember spending time at my grandmother’s house at Christmas and helping her make all kinds of fudges and her famous nanaimo bars.

Healthy Gingerbread Cookies | Simply Fresh Dinners

These tasty gingerbread cookies were made by Ayano and she topped them with aquafaba.  This is the latest vegan idea for icing and it’s brilliant!  Use the liquid from a can of chickpeas and whip it until foamy; add some powdered sugar and a little vanilla extract and voila – icing!

Healthy Gingerbread Cookies | Simply Fresh Dinners

If you’re looking to ‘health-ify’ your Christmas baking, this is the recipe to start with.  Ayano’s three year old loved these and I have to agree, they were delicious.  I’m really happy to find a delicious alternative for a traditional favourite.  This recipe came from the talented Megan at Dextoninista and you’ll find many more inspiring dishes on her site.

I’d love it if you shared your Christmas baking with me.  You know the drill – #simplyfreshdinners on Instagram and let’s show the world what you’re doing.   Cheers!

Healthy Gingerbread Cookies (Vegan and Paleo)

Print Recipe
Serves: 15-20 small cookies Cooking Time: Prep Time: 45 mins. Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups almond meal
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot or tapioca starch
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl combined the almond meal, starch, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda and stir to combine. Add in the coconut oil, maple syrup and molasses and stir again until a sticky dough is formed.

2

To make cut-out cookies, place the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes to help it firm up. (Or you could place it in the fridge overnight, if you want to make this a day in advance.) Place the dough in the center of a large piece of parchment paper and sprinkle it with a bit of arrowroot or tapioca starch to help prevent sticking. Using a rolling pin to roll the dough into a flat sheet, about ¼-inch thick. Dip your cookie cutters into a bit of the starch, then press them into the dough to create each cookie. Pull away the excess dough to reveal each shape, and re-roll the dough to create more shapes. (I ended up with about 15 cookies using cookie cutters about the size of the palm of my hand.)

3

Alternatively, you can skip the cut-out cookies and just roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, roll them in a bit of coconut sugar, and flatten them on the baking sheet with your hand. They are amazing this way, too!

4

Bake the cookies at 350F for about 10 minutes for cookies with a soft center, or 14 to 15 minutes for a more crisp cookie. (The edges should brown for a crispier cookie.) Allow them to cool completely on the pan before icing.

Notes

ICING: 3 ounces of aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) 4 cups of paleo powdered sugar. Make your own, 1 cup coconut palm sugar, 1 tablespoon arrowroot or tapioca starch) 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract Directions: Whip aquafaba until foamy, add icing sugar and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.

screenshot-2016-11-25-15-44-49

 

Gingerbread cookies are synonymous with Christmas and the best way to indulge is with healthy, tasty ingredients. From Simply Fresh Dinners!

11 Comments

  • Reply
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
    November 25, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    O yes! Gingerbread men are my favorite holiday cookies <3 Must be MAN shaped too 😉
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 11/25/16My Profile

  • Reply
    Blair @ The Seasoned Mom
    November 25, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    Oh, wow! These are gorgeous!! The photos are pretty, the icing is pretty, it’s all perfect. Well done, ladies!

    And happy holidays! 🙂
    Blair @ The Seasoned Mom recently posted…Wild Rice and Leftover Turkey SoupMy Profile

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    November 26, 2016 at 7:09 am

    GOOD MORNING,Robyn! First of all, I love the burlap and plaid touches to this photo! Such a perfect selection to highlight the texture of the cookies. This is truly a healthy pick with the almond meal and I’m sure would give the cookies a delicious crunch! I will always equate gingerbread with my Aunt Camille who was the star baker in our family. I hope you are enjoying the days leading up the Christmas? WE ARE! It’s been fabulous just having Wed., Thurs., Friday off and now two days for the weekend. The weather has been fabulous with just a touch of snow, now melted. But fun, baking, eating and relaxing (with some fun gifts too) are what I’m looking forward to.

    Big hugs and thanks for your creative and DELISH recipes my friend!

  • Reply
    Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
    November 26, 2016 at 7:32 am

    These are so festive – they look wonderful! Even the big kids would love this one. Have a great weekend!
    Tricia @ Saving room for dessert recently posted…Vanilla Pretzel CookiesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Chris Scheuer
    November 26, 2016 at 10:26 am

    These are ADORABLE! Who would have thought to make that icing? Brilliant!

  • Reply
    Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
    November 26, 2016 at 11:11 am

    Can’t wait for holiday baking. These are so cute!

  • Reply
    Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
    November 27, 2016 at 8:20 am

    So pretty! The holiday season needs to have pretty gingerbread cookies 🙂
    Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers recently posted…Spicy Chorizo and Shrimp with PolentaMy Profile

  • Reply
    Christine
    November 29, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    Those look wonderful. Pinning this because I have a family that….Ok It’s me. Me, me me. I love these!

  • Reply
    John/Kitchen Riffs
    November 30, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Love gingerbread cookies! And yours look terrific — such a nice decorating job. Recipe looks wonderful, too — and definitely healthy. Thanks!
    John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Italian Sesame CookiesMy Profile

  • Reply
    cheri
    November 30, 2016 at 3:11 pm

    Oh Robyn, these cookies are adorable. Gingerbread is one of my favorite Christmas cookies. Great presentation;)
    cheri recently posted…Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash, The Holidays Are Here!My Profile

  • Reply
    GiGi
    December 14, 2016 at 12:50 am

    I’ve never ever ever made Gingerbread anything but hot damn do I loveeeee Gingerbread flavors!! So um, yeah… You’ve inspired me and made me drool. As per usual.
    GiGi recently posted…YOU TOTALLY WANT THIS STUFF… Don’t Lie! A Bizarrely Awesome Gift Guide!My Profile

  • Leave a Reply

    CommentLuv badge