Healthy Sugar Cookies
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
8 mins
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Chill Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 18 mins
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Servings
16
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Calories
145 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Healthy Sugar Cookies
Description
Healthy Sugar Cookies combine whole wheat pastry flour with baking powder and sea salt to create a light yet substantial base. The butter and maple syrup are creamed together before incorporating egg and vanilla extract to build a rich, moist dough. Chilling the dough for 1-2 hours or overnight helps manage the texture and makes rolling easier. Baking at 350ºF yields cookies with a delicate softness rather than crispness, allowing the whole wheat flavor to come through gently.
The icing, made from powdered sugar and almond milk plus a touch of vanilla or almond extract, is a versatile finishing touch. It enhances the cookies with mild sweetness and subtle flavor notes without overpowering them. The process focuses on realistic preparation steps, emphasizing dough manageability to maintain texture.
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container either frosted or unfrosted with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For long-term storage, freezing unfrosted cookies and adding icing after thawing is recommended. This recipe offers a reliable option for those wanting a classic cookie feel but with less refined ingredients and a straightforward approach.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups whole wheat pastry flour plus more for rolling
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt sea salt
- ½ cup butter softened to room temperature, unsalted
- ½ cup maple syrup at room temperature
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
- 2-3 teaspoons almond milk plus more to thin
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together butter and maple syrup on medium high speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing on medium speed until combined.
- Slowly add flour mixture to wet ingredients and mix on low speed, until just combined. Dough should be soft, but not sticky. Add a little more flour if it seems too sticky, 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap or place the entire bowl in the fridge and let dough chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours, or overnight.
- When dough is chilled and you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF, line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Remove dough from fridge and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. On a clean rolling surface (or a parchment lined surface) sprinkle 1-2 Tablespoons of flour on surface and rolling pin. Roll out dough, using a rolling pin, until it's about 1/4-1/3″ thick. The thicker your cookies are the softer they’ll be.
- Use your favorite cookie cutter shapes to cut out the dough and place them about 1 inch apart on your cookie sheet. Gather and re-roll the dough scraps as many times as needed until all the dough is used. Add additional flour to the surface and rolling pin as needed to prevent the dough from sticking.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges and bottoms are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cookies are cool you can frost and decorate them. To make homemade icing, combine powdered sugar, vanilla and almond milk in a small bowl. Whisk until all lumps of sugar have dissolved and icing is the thickness you desire. You don't want it to be super thick, but also don't want it to be too runny where it melts off the cookies. Frost cookies with icing and add sprinkles right away, before the icing has a chance to set.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers if frosted to prevent sticking.
- For extended storage, freeze unfrosted cookies and apply icing after thawing before serving.
- Allow dough to chill well to make rolling easier and ensure proper texture in the baked cookies.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 145 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cookie | |
| Calories | 145kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 27mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 58mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 74mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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