15 Lightened-Up Cookie Recipes That Are Perfect For the Holidays

If you aren't into gluten-free flours, you'll want to make this recipe for almond and coconut macaroons. A little sugar, shredded coconut, and crushed almonds are all you need to enjoy this recipe!

If a slight adjustment can make a cookie a bit healthier while also still tasting delicious, we're all for it — like this recipe for lighter sugar cookies. Even though there's still fat and sugar in them, it's a heck of a lot less than what the original recipe calls for. For friends who don't eat dairy, try our recipe for vegan cut-out sugar cookies.

Satisfy cravings for Thin Mints with this vegan and gluten-free recipe from NYC hot spot Babycakes. Finally, a cookie that both gluten-free and vegan friends can enjoy!

What better thing to go with a warm cup of cocoa, light eggnog, or mulled wine than whole-wheat biscotti? Filled with good-for-you almonds and fruit, each biscotti is under 60 calories.

To make this healthy treat, you don't even have to turn on the oven. Made from only five ingredients, these gluten-free, vegan cookies contain quinoa, making them a protein powerhouse — and the sprinkle of coconut gives it the feel of a Winter wonderland!

These oatmeal cookies are like your beloved ones, but with a kick. Cranberries and pecans make the treats superhealthy, while the taste itself is still finger-licking good.

It wouldn't be the holidays without a little gingerbread! Our recipe for ginger molasses cookies uses less butter, eggs, and sugar than traditional recipes, and since it's packed with so much spicy flavor, one cookie easily satisfies your sweet craving. If you prefer a chewier cookie, try these dairy-free ginger cookies instead, which are made with good-for-you quinoa flour.

Get sweet and savory with this recipe for the classic Indonesian cookie semprit sagu keju (cheese spritz cookies). A little cheesy, sweet goodness never hurt anyone, and the traditional star shape makes the cookie a seasonal favorite.

At fewer than five calories each, chai-spiced meringues are the perfect sweet treat for friends who are watching their weight.

Here's a Paleo chocolate chip cookie that still tastes decadent. Instead of butter, the recipe calls for beneficial coconut oil and cuts back on the all-purpose flour by using almond flour.

If you've sworn off butter, sugar, or flour, you can still have the best cookies of your life. Case in point, these cranberry chocolate chia cookies.

The chewy peanut butter cookie coupled with chocolate makes a perfect flavor combination in these vegan peanut butter kisses. The only downside is you may find it impossible to hold back from eating the entire batch before filling up your holiday cookie plates.

Fans of pumpkin pie, this pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe is right up your alley. It's soft, chewy, and only 86 calories. Plus, the recipe contains no eggs or grains.

Even non-gluten-free-lovers will enjoy this chocolate chip cookie. They're chewy and tasty, and as an added bonus, you don't have to chill the dough.

Thumbprint cookies are one of those classic cookies that everyone is sure to love. This recipe for vegan thumbprint cookies gets its crunchy texture from the pecans, while the raspberry jam provides the right amount of sweetness.