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.
Marsha says
What a lovely roundup of cookies Carolyn. The ‘Oatmeal’ Chocolate Chip are my all-time fav. I mega batch bake and freeze everything, the majority of your recipes freeze extremely well.
Heather H says
I was really excited when I received your post about the recipes for Christmas Cookies because I was just thinking about finding some since my daughter and I have not had any since our diagnosis of food sensitivities so I am looking forward to trying these recipes. I also have a friend who was also looking for recipes and sent her the posting.
Robyn says
A big shoutout from the Ottawa Valley Canada and a humongous Thank You for all of your delicious recipes! As we enter the Christmas season, I will be baking up a low-carb storm and your recipes will be front and centre!
Wishing you a Joyous Holiday and continued success in 2019! Cheers!
Maria Dewaik says
These recipes look amazing. I want to try to make a few of the cookies for when my son comes home for Christmas. We are both diabetic and trying to follow low carb. How far in advance can I make them and how do I store them so they will taste fresh for the holiday?
Carolyn says
I’ve honestly kept many of these in my freezer for up to two months! Just be sure to read the little bit of instruction I gave. Some are best frozen unfrosted or unglazed, etc.
Karren Haller says
I am amazed at all these yummy desserts, I would love to have you share on my linkups!!
#omhgww or #omhgff
Pam says
Caroline: I am just finishing up my holiday cookie baking and I wanted to take a minute to say thank you for this wonderful set of recipes. Usually I love spending time in the kitchen, but during the holidays it can get hectic and stressful, especially since I have to make absolutely everything from scratch or there’s no holiday baking at all! Making a batch or two of cookies at a time has been so relaxing — plus since these kind tend to go stale quickly, it’s so nice to freeze them and pull out a small assortment as needed. Plus, your recipes are just beautiful — I’m not much of an artist when it comes to baking, but these look so elegant far beyond what I would normally create — thank you so much!
Carolyn says
Thank you, Pam, for your sweet note. So glad I could help!
aaron reck says
Anything to do with chocolate and peanut butter I love. I really like fresh fruit as well.
Amy says
Unfortunately, my favorite freezable cookies are chocolate rolo cookies.I’ve not found a way to make them grain and soy free yet, so I’ll just have to make copious amounts of cookies from your curated recipes instead.
Pam says
LC shortbread coolies freeze nicely, as do your cheesecake cookie bars! I also love your chocolate chip cookie dough balls!
Shanna says
Thanks times a million. First holiday low carb and these will make my family so happy.
Rachel says
The Chocolate Pecan cookies look amazing!
Cat Latuszek says
LOVE the pinwheel cookies. I also tweak the flavours so I can have lots of different cookie dough in the freezer.
Maggie Pogue says
What a great collection of recipes!!! Thank you!!!
Susan McIntyre says
I should say my all time favorite cookie of yours (which freezes wonderfully) is Magic Cookie Bars!
Susan McIntyre says
Love your recipes! I use at least one of them most every week. Thank you for all the experimenting that brings us these wonderful recipes.
Carolyn says
You’re welcome!
Antonia says
i love to freeze chocolate chip cookie dough for later!
Kate Desko says
Will be making some LC cookies so I have something when my DH make or brings home all those ones I should not have. No Whole Foods near me so I hope I win the goodies so I can try them.
della says
my favorite is choc. chip!! with Lilys chips!
cyndi br says
favorite freezable cookie is oatmeal raisin.
Laura Samuelson says
Thank YOU Carolyn for all that you do to make the low carb lifestyle delicious!
My diabetic hubby loves breads and baked goods and thanks to you he can still enjoy them!
Best wishes for a joyous holiday season to you and yours!