You don’t have to throw in the towel when it comes to health during the Holiday season. These paleo orange cranberry cookies just might become a favorite; I know they have in my house. With a few ingredients and a couple of steps, you can have some delicious healthy Christmas cookies.
It has become our family tradition to eat cranberry cookies and drink hot chocolate whenever we are putting the Christmas tree up, and my kids talk about it all year long.
We eat mainly paleo over here, so I like to come up with special treats that are still healthy and go along with our normal eating habits. Sometimes they end up being more delicious than the “normal” recipe.
These paleo orange cranberry cookies are delicious and make a wonderful holiday treat.
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1/4 cup dried cranberries (look for ones that don’t have added sugar, like these), or you can use fresh chopped in half
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt almond butter over medium heat and add to a mixing bowl.
Mix together the almond butter and coconut sugar. Add the egg, vanilla, and wild orange essential oil. Continue mixing until well combined.
Add in almond flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
Stir in the dried cranberries.
Roll a tablespoon of dough into a ball and place on a prepared baking sheet. Press the dough down slightly.
Bake for 13-15 minutes or until cookies are golden brown.
Allow cookies to cool before removing from the pan.
COOKING WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are very concentrated and always remember that a little goes a long way. One drop of peppermint essential oil is equal to 28 cups of peppermint tea, just to put this into perspective for you.
If a recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of basil, that doesn’t mean that you need 2 tablespoons of basil essential oil. In fact, you can substitute 1 drop of essential oil for 1 tablespoon of the dried spice in a recipe.
Typically, 1-3 drops of a citrus oil can substitute for 1 tsp of citrus zest. If the recipe calls for the zest from 1 citrus fruit, you can use 8–14 drops of the citrus essential oil instead.
A LITTLE ON THE INGREDIENTS: PALEO CRANBERRY COOKIES
ALMOND BUTTER
Almond butter adds a delicious flavor to these cookies, as well as added nutrition. You can use peanut butter instead. However, I like the flavor of the almond butter better.
Almonds are a good source of antioxidants and vitamin E. They have shown to help lower cholesterol levels. A serving of almond butter contains a significant amount of magnesium, which can support a healthy heart and regulate blood pressure.
COCONUT SUGAR
Coconut sugar is a palm sugar produced from the sap of the coconut palm’s flower bud stem. It has a lower glycemic index than regular table sugar, making it a healthier option.
Coconut sugar contains vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, such as iron and zinc. It also contains inulin, which has the ability to stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the intestines. This can help boost the immune system.
Although coconut sugar has a lot of benefits for the body, it is still sugar. Sugars should be limited because too much of any type of sugar can affect weight gain, inflammation in the body, yeast overgrowth, and cravings.
WILD ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL
The hint of orange really adds a burst of flavor to these cookies and pairs well with the cranberries. Wild orange can boost the immune system, gently detox the body, and help with energy levels. It can be taken daily to cleanse the body and promote healthy liver and kidney function.
ALMOND FLOUR
Almonds that are ground to a fine flour consistency are ideal for gluten-free baking and packed full of nutrition. This high-protein flour has very similar benefits as almond butter.
I use coconut flour most often when baking paleo style, but I actually prefer almond flour for cakes and cookies. It makes a much fluffier baked good than coconut flour.
DRIED CRANBERRIES
I am cranberry obsessed and love anything and everything cranberry. Because of the sour taste, it is hard to find dried cranberries that aren’t sweetened. I use this brand of unsweetened cranberries. If you want a sweeter version without sugar, try these apple juice-infused dried cranberries.
I have made these cookies with fresh cranberries, and though they are tasty, they don’t hold together as well.
I hope you enjoy making these paleo orange cranberry cookies this holiday season! What family traditions do you have?
Jessica Thibault says
Hi Laura,
just watched your christmas clip (Dec 22 2021) and you said using orange juice (!?!)
Laura says
You can use the juice from an orange or a drop of wild orange essential oil. Both work great!
Lindsay Cotter says
These will be a delicious addition to the holiday cookie platter!!
Laura says
Thank you! Enjoy!
wilhelmina says
These cookies are absolutely delicious! A great recipe to add to my recipe box!