Peppermint Crunch Cookies

These Peppermint Crunch Cookies are simple to make, healthier than typical holiday treats and so delicious you will make them every year!

It's December and we LOVE peppermint here at the Kelly house, especially around the holidays!  Yes, these cookies have sugar in them.  

I lightened these peppermint crunch cookies up while still allowing them to taste delicious.

Don't go crazy if you can't find them,  there are only 3 candy canes in the whole recipe.  And it IS the holidays!

Or just grab whatever you can find. Everything in moderation, right people?

There's no one right way to survive the holidays. One thing I can recommend is that you don't go crazy and eat whatever you want for months.

Its an easy way to put on weight quickly.

If you'd like a treat, then go ahead and enjoy one. That's the most important part.

Portion control, my friends!

But when we are stressed with the social engagements, work, kids activities, shopping and maintaining your house, its easy NOT to meal prep and stay organized.

I know first hand.

I always have to make a conscious effort each year to carve out time for myself during the crazy holiday season. It really does help me decompress and keep me on track.

If you are looking for some more holiday cookie recipes, you will loves these Chewy Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies, Gingerbread Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Prosecco Buttercream Frosting, Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookies and these Keto Butter Cookies. These would all taste amazing with some Spiked Apple Cider too!

Or maybe you'd like my Chocolate Peppermint Muffins, Eggnog Muffins or Cranberry Biscotti!

Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!

Why You Should Make These Peppermint Crunch Cookies

These peppermint crunch cookies are not only lightened up, but are also so simple to make. The ingredients are easy to find in most grocery stores.

I love baking a ton of different types of cookies and treats for the holidays.  These are simple enough to make and they freeze really well too!

You can freeze them before you add the melted white chocolate chips and crushed candy cane topping, or after. I've done it both ways and they both still taste delicious.

I also like freezing cookies so my family (and me) doesn't eat them all in one day! To help with portion control, I put three cookies in a resealable plastic bag and freeze them (one of reach of my kids) and take it out and defrost them while I cook dinner.  

Easy peasy.  And no one is overindulging.

But let's keep it real here, it's really hard not to overindulge during the holiday season, right? There's definitely more stress, more social activities and not enough structure.

That sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me.

I love the texture of these peppermint crunch cookies. They have crispy edges and a light, soft, chewy center.

I think they are best of both worlds. Some people like they cookies, other link crispy cookies... why not have both?

What I love about these peppermint crunch cookies is that everyone loves them, but they are made with all wholesome ingredients. No processed ingredients, no refined sugar and no added unnecessary junk.

With all of the unhealthy goodies that surrounds us during the holidays, it's really nice to have a healthier option.

Who says healthy cookies have to taste like garbage? Not me.

Recipe Ingredients

• White whole wheat flour - This contains more fiber than whole wheat flour because it contains the wheat germ and the fiber-rich bran. It's a great, lighter alternative to all purpose flour.
• Coconut oil - I use refined coconut oil which has very little coconut taste (Yes, I know it's not a popular opinion but I don't like the taste of coconut!) The only issue is that refined coconut oil has less antioxidants and vitamins than the virgin coconut oil (as well as a higher smoke points which is good to remember for baked goods) so if you like the taste of coconut, then you can easily use virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil should be left at room temperature and softened.
• Vanilla Greek yogurt - I love baking with Greek yogurt for its added protein. It's also makes a really moist cookie too.
• Unrefined sugar - This can be whatever sugar you have in the house. I like to use unrefined sugar because it's minimally processed and contains some nutrients. You can use maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, or even try a sugar free alternative such as Monk fruit.
• Unrefined brown sugar - I used this one that is a brown sugar substitute (if you are looking to cut back in sugar) or this one is an unrefined brown sugar. Both work great in these butter pecan cookies.
• Egg - I like to use cage free, organic eggs for extra nutrients.
• Vanilla extract - I use pure vanilla extract which doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or additives, it’s just pure vanilla made from alcohol. I use this one.
• White chocolate - I used these sugar free white chocolate chips because I already had them in the house but you can also use these white chocolate chips made with unrefined sugar as well.
• Candy canes - Use whatever candy canes you'd like!

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