Every year as the holidays roll around we’re faced with not only the joy of the holidays but also the onslaught of sweets and treats that can threaten to de-rail our progress. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am 100% team ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS. But the problem often lies in the fact that “the holidays” tend to stretch far beyond just one or two days per year…

So if you’re looking to enjoy the season and all the yummy treats that accompany it without all the extra guilt, you could try a healthier swap for some of your favorites. Last week, we shared a healthy protein brownie recipe, and this week we’re keeping things traditional and sharing a healthy Christmas cookie recipe.

So whether you’re hoping to save Santa a few calories as he makes his rounds, you want to offer a healthier option at your cookie swap, or you simply want to enjoy the tastes of the season without the extra calories, these healthier M&M Christmas Cookies are a great way to do so.

3 Reasons Why This Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipe Will Be a Hit

When it comes to Christmas cookie baking, many recipes often feel intimidating. There are so many steps and so many ways to get things wrong (I’m looking at you, cutout sugar cookies). Thankfully, this mini M&M cookie recipe is almost impossible to mess up. Here are 3 reasons why you’ll love it:

1. All you need is one mixing bowl and 10 minutes in the oven and you’re done. So simple and pain-free.
2. Each cookie is just 40 calories. YES, you read that right, 40 Calories!
3. Everyone will love them! I mean, yes they are healthier, but they still have M&Ms in them and provide that classically yummy taste.

What Ingredients Do You Need?

These cookies are so simple! All you need is a handful of ingredients to getting up and running.

• Oat flour - you can opt to use regular flour, however, the oat flour gives the cookies an oatmeal flavor that’s super yummy.
• Sugar substitute - I used Swerve granulated sugar but you can use any kind you want.
• Brown sugar - I used Swerve.
• Baking Soda
• Vanilla extract
• Butter - I used I can’t Beleive It’s Not Butter Light, but you can use any option you’d like, even the real thing. Just make sure you account for the extra macros.
• Milk - your choice, I went with unsweetened almond milk.
• Salt

How to Make Healthy Christmas Cookies With M&Ms

Now for the easy part! All you need is one mixing bowl and a spoon.

• Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
• Add all of your dry dry ingredients to your bowl and stir together.
• Add in the butter (melted), milk, and vanilla.

• Stir the mixture until well combined.
• Fold in the M&Ms.
• Drop cookies onto your baking sheet using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop.
• Add a few mini M&Ms to the top of your cookies.
• Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are browned.
• Enjoy!

FAQs

Have a question about this recipe? Let’s see if I can help!

What makes this recipe healthy?

This M&M cookie recipe is healthier than a traditional cookie thanks to the fact that it uses oat and coconut flour instead of white flour and it utilizes sugar and butter alternatives saving a ton of calories. A traditional Christmas cookie has an average of 150 calories per cookie whereas this recipe has just 40 calories per serving.

What if I don’t have coconut flour on hand?

No worries! You can easily substitute the coconut flour for all-purpose flour or Gluten-free flour if need be, just keep in mind that the swap will change the nutrition per cookie a tad.

Can I use a different sweetener?

Of course! I realize that buying unique sweeteners like Swerve is much less budget-friendly than regular sugar, so feel free to use whatever you have on hand or what works for you.

Will Santa like these cookies?

I think these cookies will get a big HO HO HO from the big guy. I mean, we all crave a lightened-up version of our favorites every once in a while.

Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipe with M&Ms

Chewy, chocolaty, and only 40 calories?! Enjoy these healthier M&M cookies this holiday season.

Ingredients

• 1 cup oat flour
• 2 tbsp coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup granulated sweetener of choice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar of choice 
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1.5 Tbsp light butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup mini M&Ms

Baking Instructions

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
• Step 2: Add the dry ingredients to a bowl and stir until combined.
• Step 3: Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract and stir until well combined.
• Step 4: Mix in your M&Ms
• Step 5: Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, add dough to the baking sheet.
• Step 6: Place in the oven for 10 minutes or until the edges are browned.
• Step 7: Enjoy and share the holiday love with your friends, family, and neighbors.

Wrapping Up

If you’re looking for a tasty way to enjoy the holidays without the extra heaviness, these healthier M&M Christmas Cookies are just the ticket. I enjoyed how simple these were to bake and how they still maintained a rich taste despite containing much lighter ingredients.

If you try this recipe, be sure to let us know what you think! Join our community, Wellness for Womanhood where we’re always sharing a wealth of information regarding how you can live a fit, healthy life through all stages of womanhood.