A collection of the best keto Christmas cookies for gifting and celebrating! Want to get a jump on your low carb holiday baking? I’ve got 20 wonderful make-ahead, freezable cookie recipes that won’t blow your healthy diet.
How much of a planner are you when it comes to holiday baking? Are you a pre-Thanksgiving, get all your ducks in a row early kind of baker? Or are you a mid-December, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants cookie maker?
Do you rifle through your low carb recipe collections, seeking out the contenders and giving them a test drive well in advance? Or do you bake as you go, when you just happen upon a recipe that appeals to you?
If you’re like me, you’ve already been hunting up and dreaming up low carb cookie recipes for weeks. Possibly even months!
It’s funny, because in much of my life, I am not really the planner type. But when it comes to keto Christmas cookies, I start the process very early. Very early indeed! I am an Early November, maybe even Late October holiday baker. I just love holiday treats, I love baking them, love sharing them, love everything about them. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.
Making cookies in advance
Let’s face it, if you start baking too early, you’re going to run into some issues. Like stale and moldy cookies, which aren’t going to help you spread the holiday cheer. But on the other hand, if you start baking too late, you might run into a time crunch trying to get it all done. What to do, what to do?
Part of the planning process is deciding what Keto Christmas Cookie recipes can be made in advance and frozen. Not all recipes fit this bill, as some change too much upon freezing and thawing. But others have just the right consistency to be frozen without incident.
A few things to keep in mind when planning your keto holiday cookies:
- Most basic almond flour or coconut flour cookies freeze just as well as conventional cookies and don’t change consistency upon thawing. By “basic”, I mean ones that don’t have gooey fillings or tons of frosting.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing in a container or plastic bag. This allows the cookies to firm up properly before storing. Warm cookies will also give off condensation in the freezer which could ruin them.
- Flash freezing the cookies works well. Place them individually on a cookie sheet, not touching, and place the cookie sheet in the freezer. Then remove and place them in your container of choice. This helps them not stick together during the freezing process.
- Raw cookie dough freezes well. Some cookies are actually best frozen in their raw form. Consider doing this for drop cookies like chocolate chips and peanut butter. And my famous Chewy Ginger Cookies! The easiest way to do this is to roll them into balls and flash freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zippered freezer bag once they are solid. Let them thaw before baking.
- Slice and bake cookies like pinwheels are actually designed to be frozen before baking, as it allows you to slice them more thinly.
Freezable Cookie Recipes
I’ve gathered together 20 of the BEST Keto Christmas Cookies, all of which will be good for about a month when wrapped up air-tight. So you can get ahead now and have time in December to relax and enjoy the festivities.
1. Keto Sugar Cookies
This cut out sugar cookie recipe produces sturdy but tender cookies that freeze well both frosted and unfrosted.
2. Chewy Keto Ginger Cookies
The best way to make these ahead is to roll the dough into balls and freeze on a cookie sheet. Then store in a plastic bag in the freezer. Simply let thaw on the cookie sheet when you are ready to bake.
3. Chocolate Peppermint Stars
Store these easy egg-free chocolate cookies with or without the chocolate coating. Layer them between sheets of waxed paper to prevent damage.
4. Keto Italian Ricotta Cookies
The baked cookies freeze well and can be stored for several months. I recommend glazing them after thawing so it’s fresh and bright.
5. Keto Danish Butter Cookies
Make these tender butter cookies ahead and freeze in an airtight container. Dip in chocolate while still frozen so that the chocolate sets faster.
6. Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Cookies
Cream cheese makes these classic keto peanut butter cookies extra tender! You can freeze the raw dough or the baked cookies.
7. Keto White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
You can freeze this classic cookie as raw dough. Roll into balls and freeze on a cookie sheet, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw completely before baking.
8. Keto Gingerbread Men
Kids love decorating these sweet Keto Gingerbread Cookies! I recommend freezing the plain cookies, so that any decorations don’t get damaged or fall off during the freezing process.
9. Keto Snowballs
To keep them looking their best, freeze before you roll them in powdered sweetener.
10. Keto Peanut Butter Blossoms
You can freeze the completed cookies, or wait to add the chocolate filling until after they thaw.
11. Cranberry Pecan Biscotti
These crisp keto biscotti make a wonderful gift for friends and family. I recommend freezing before you dip or drizzle the chocolate, to keep them looking their best.
12. Keto Macadamia Nut Shortbread
The holidays aren’t complete without some buttery keto shortbread on hand. Freeze these cookies unadorned, then add the chocolate before serving or gifting.
13. Keto Gingerbread Spritz Cookies
These easy cookies can be frozen after baking. Sprinkle with powdered sweetener before serving.
14. Keto Butter Pecan Cookies
These just might be my most popular keto cookies ever! The baked cookies freeze perfectly, but you can also turn them into slice-and-bake cookies. Roll the dough into two logs and wrap tightly in waxed paper. Then slice and bake as many as you need.
15. Keto Pecan Crescents
My dad’s favorite Christmas cookie! We made these every Christmas when I was growing up and my father thought that my keto version was just as good. You can freeze these before or after decorating.
16. Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
Readers adore these thick and chewy cookies. You can bake them before freezing, or roll the raw dough into balls and freeze.
17. Speculoos (Dutch Spice Cookies)
Store these thin, crispy cookies in an airtight container in the freezer. If they are a little soft after thawing, simply place in a warm oven for 5 to 10 minutes. They will re-crisp as they cool.
18. Keto Snickerdoodles
I recommend freezing them between layers of waxed paper in a covered container. Let come to room temperature before serving.
19. Keto Brownie Brittle
Somewhere between a cookie and a brownie lies this delicious Keto Brownie Bark. They freeze like a dream, too!
20. Peppermint Bark Cookies
Chocolate keto thumbprints with a center of peppermint white chocolate! Let them set completely before freezing so that the white chocolate and sprinkles don’t get smooshed.
Sandy B says
Great post! I plan on making several of these!
Vicki K says
What a great post! I understand what you mean about baking ahead but I love freezable cookies anytime of the year. Great for unexpected guests or unexpected cookie cravings. I am looking forward to lots of holiday baking experimentation this year. Keep the great recipes coming!
Esther R. says
I Love your caramel sauce recipe. I’ve already frozen a few batches. Your recipes are amazing and I just saw a picture of you in long hair. Wow great picture.
Elaina says
I can’t wait to try some of these> Love Lily’s!
Lisa Thomas says
I’ve never frozen cookie dough (it never lasts that long)! I’d love to try chocolate chip dough, that’s everyone’s favorite.
Melania says
I LOVE those chocolate pinwheel cookies! They’re so cuuuuuute 🙂
marion summers says
Cranberry Walnut Chocolate chip is my favorite, especially on a Holiday tray.
Pamela says
I’m planning to get an early start on Christmas baking this year. Your recipes came at just the right time and I’m anxious to try several of them! Never get tired of a good chocolate chip cookie and I love the idea of freezing the dough balls and making them fresh, as needed!
Carolyn says
I’ve done that with this recipe and it works really well https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2014/10/low-carb-sunbutter-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
Julie says
I adore your magic cookie bars and the caramel sauce element is amazing! I make a full recipe of the cookie bars, slice into individual squares for portion control and keep them in the freezer.
Louanne says
I love Lily’s chocolate! Plan on making your peanut butter blossoms and snowball cookies this weekend.
Kristen says
I’ve never frozen cookies before but I need to make a ton of cookies for the holidays this year so this will be my first time trying it. I’m hoping to make some chocolate chip cookies, shortbread cookies, ginger cookies, and at least one other type of cookie. I’m still undecided on that last one. The chocolate hazelnut sandwich cookies and cranberry walnut cookies mentioned in this post both sound like delicious options!
Susan Broughton says
I really don’t freeze cookies much anymore but when I did it was the plain Chocolate Chip Cookie
Brenda Penton says
Shortbread cookies are my favourite freezable cookies
Kathy Willwerth says
I have never frozen cookies but with all these recipes, I may have to this year!
Gail B says
Snickerdoodles!
DelicateFlowah says
My favorite cookies to freeze were a choc chip. I’d freeze the dough balls and bake a a few when we needed fresh, warm cookies. Haven’t done that at all since last year. Stupid diabetes.
Carolyn says
I’ve done that exact thing with this recipe. It works really well!
Carolyn says
Sorry, I meant to link to the recipe… https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2014/10/low-carb-sunbutter-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
Rachel says
I never do freezable cookie recipes anymore. Looking forward to trying these!
Judy Morin says
Used to make thousands and freeze the baked cookies. Now I have the chance to do so again. Thanks so much for the variety of recipes.
Maryann says
I love lily’s products. Your coconut chocolate chip cookies are my favorite!
Thanks for all of your great recipes.
Julie says
I can’t begin to tell you how much I look forward to your recipes in my email. I was a serious baker 20 years ago before realizing I needed to lower my carbs and minimize grains. Being able to add baked goods back into my life has really enriched not only my diet, but my ability to treat the diabetics in our family and make us all feel less deprived. Baking has always been a creative experience for me and I appreciate being able to express that side of my personality. Can’t wait to try some of these recipes.
Carolyn says
Thanks, Julie. I feel much the same way, which is why I do what I do!
Elliott says
I love your recipes and always look forward to trying them out. I was wondering if there is a difference between peanut flour and peanut powder. I think Honeyville sells the powder. Can I use either one? It is easier to find the powder in stores.
Carolyn says
The powder is actually what you want. It’s partially defatted peanut flour.
Elliott says
The Honeyville brand? I found Protein Plus on Amazon. Would that work instead?
Carolyn says
I use the Protein Plus…I’ve never tried the Honeyville.
Michele says
Hi Carolyn, Love your recipes. I can’t digest almond nor coconut flour. I use pork rinds for stuffing and crusts for cheesecakes. Can any of these use pork rinds as a substitute? Thanks for all you do for all of us.
Carolyn says
I haven’t tested any of these recipes with pork rinds but I am highly doubtful.
Deborah says
I love anything chocolate & peanut butter! Keep em coming.
This is my favorite blog on the planet….and like others often the high point of my day. Its the first thing I look for when I power up the computer after work. The recipes are outstanding and the photos actually do them justice. You eat first with your eyes as they say.
Merry Christmas to us….thanks Carolyn.
Carolyn says
Thank you for your kind words, Deborah.
Tina Degenhardt says
Carolyn. Thanks again for another great collection of recipes. I recently purchased your Keto Cookbook. What a bargain. 300 pages of goodness with No Sugar. I can tell you this book is the best cookbook I have purchased. I know it will be well used. How can I purchase the cookie book without PayPal ?