Honestly some of the best low carb Christmas cookies I have ever made. A classic Italian recipe gets a healthy keto makeover!
It’s the holidays and I come bearing gifts! And pretty awesome gifts they are, if I do say so myself. The first are my new favourite Christmas cookies. Yes, yes, I say this about all my cookies because I fall fast and hard for whatever new creation I’ve just made. But really, these are startlingly good. They look relatively plain and not all that fancy. They don’t have lashings of frosting and there isn’t a speck of chocolate to be seen. Or peanut butter either, for that matter. But they are tender and soft, almost melt in your mouth, with a lovely hint of anise.
They are modelled after a classic Italian-style Christmas cookie. These would be the cookies I used to pass over on the holiday cookie plate in favour of the fancier, more gaudily festive ones. They simply looked too plain to me. But over the years, I’ve come to realize that there is so much to enjoy about the simpler things. This goes for life and for cookies. Simple, well-made cookies are such a pleasure. And let’s face it, the Italians do things right when it comes to the holidays.
I created this cookie recipe for my friends at Swerve Sweetener, so the actual recipe lives over there. But it’s worth the click-through, believe me. And I am making a double batch very soon to giveaway to family and friends.
Please see my Classic Italian Christmas Cookies on Swerve Sweetener
**Please note that there is something wrong with Swerve’s nutritional analysis that we are trying to sort out. My software gives this information: Food energy: 164kcal; Total fat: 14.62g; Carbohydrate: 4.50g; Total dietary fiber: 2.33g; Protein: 3.73g; Erythritol: 15g. NET carbs = 2.17g per serving. Serving size is TWO cookies.
Steph says
Hey Carolyn! I made these today, adding crushed walnuts and a pinch of cinnamon- amazing. But for some reason my glaze is extremely runny, I even used half a tablespoon less of half and half. Any suggestions aside from adding more serve? I can only handle so much erythitol, and with it already in the cookies I don’t want to push it 🙂 love to hear any ideas you might have, I’m newer to this community 🙂
Carolyn says
Try using full heavy cream. It will be a lot less runny.
Melissa says
Hey Carolyn… I know that you make festive colored confetti from coconut, but do you know of a source for sugar free or low carb “jimmies” or other sprinkles”?
Carolyn says
Sadly, no!
Jennifer Djambov says
I love all your recipes but this is one of the best, most versatile recipes. I make a big batch and divide the dough up. Roll one part in cinnamon and erythritol = snicker doodles. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips= chocolate chip cookies. Stir in orange flavoring and sugar free dried cranberries = best cookie ever. Mix in gingerbread spices = ginger snaps. They also make great thumbprints. These have to be our favorite cookies. Thank you so much.
Carolyn says
I LOVE this! 🙂
SD says
The cookies look lovely but where is the actual recipe? I can’t find any link for it. 🙂
Carolyn says
It’s there in the post, it says “please see my cookie recipe on Swerve Sweetner”
Jessica Gavin says
Looks delicious! I can go for a handful of some of these cookies right now 🙂
Heidi says
Question :
I made these last night and they had a wonderful crispy texture to the outside
I put the SLIGHTEST amount of jam on one and sandwiched two together ..then dipped the tip in chocolate and let them harden.
Put them in a tin. The next morning they were more like little cakes. No more cookie crispness.
How can that be fixed , so they stay more like cookies?
Thank you ❤️
P.S. I used real sugar but everything else is the same
Carolyn says
When you put the jam in, you added moisture. Unfortunately that’s what happens.
Sybille A. says
My favorite are gingerbread cookies dipped in dark chocolate.
Suzie says
Biscochitos. Being raised in NM I love these little anise cookies. I’m betting I will love your Italian cookies. I can’t wait to try them.
Jolene Jacobs says
My favorite Christmas cookie is a molasses cookie.
Diane Watson says
My favorite Christmas cookie are Butterballs!
Lyza B says
Snickerdoodle is one of my many favorites, and my dear daughter made me Low Carb ones for my B-day last week. <3
Sarah says
We make chocolate peppermint sandwiches every year for Christmas. My kids loooove them!
Lee says
I love sugar cookies!
Leslie Burchfield says
My favorite Christmas “memory” cookie is Russian tea cakes…can still remember making them along side my Mom when I was little. Now I am replacing sugar with other sweeteners, as I have had T1 Diabetes since I was 16 yo. I still love Holiday baking, and trying new recipes!
Lyn says
QUESTION: How do you best store your cookies? Refrigerator? Countertop in tupperware? Saran wrap? These are such wonderful recipes and I want them to taste like they do the first day for several days. Thanks!
Carolyn says
Countertop for several days, in the fridge after that.
Dave Anderson says
Russian Tea Cakes!
Rebekkah says
These cookies are incredible! I have made almond flour cookies every year for three or four years – these are hands-down THE BEST!! I made the exact recipe, then I was so pleased with the dough I made them with vanilla extract and made crescents with my own lakanto sprinkles – then almond extract and rolled some in sliced almonds too! Three cookies with one recipe – all delicious! Thank you thank you! 🙂
Therese says
Low-carb gingerbread cookies are my favorite at Christmas these days, but what I really miss are Ranger cookies! I have to stay keto to keep neuro issues in check, so oatmeal and crisped rice are out of the question. I guess I’ll just have to remember them fondly, LOL.
Kiah says
Gingerbread cookies are my favorite, but I love any type of cookie to be honest!
Carolyn says
No, these would not be good with coconut flour.
Kathy Perry says
Love gingerbread cookies