Peppermint Crunch Cookies {Healthier, Low Fat}

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 them up while still allowing them to taste delicious.

I bought these candy canes at Whole Foods.  They are organic and healthier than typical ones.  

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, right?

I have been searching for sugar free candy canes forever. They used to have them at Whole Foods and I haven't seemed to find them except on Amazon.

I found these and they were delicious.

Do what works for you. If you are sugar free then splurge and buy these on amazon. If not, go for the healthier ones from Whole Foods.

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.

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!

I would just freeze them BEFORE you add the melted white chocolate chips and crushed candy cane topping.

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 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 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.

And doesn't everything taste better and more festive when candy canes are involved?

Yes, even the sugar free or healthier candy canes from Whole Foods are so fun and festive. Bottom line, they taste delicious.

Tell me, what are your favorite holiday cookies to make (and eat)? Mine are always sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies of course.

But since I make so many cookies (at least 12 or 13 dozen) I like to mix it up a bit.

These Peppermint Crunch Cookies are just the way to mix it up. It's a great way to take a break from chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies and add a holiday twist.  

And the crushed candy canes allow a fun crunchy texture too.

These are perfect to bring a cookie exchange too. Not many people bring cookies like this so these are a fun change.

Typically, these are the first to go though because they are so unique.

Who wants to be boring anyway?

Peppermint Crunch Cookies

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Servings: 4 dozen cookies

Author: Lauren Kelly

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 ⅔ cups whole wheat flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ ½ cup coconut oil room temperature, softened
• ▢ ⅓ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
• ▢ ½ cup unrefined sugar
• ▢ ½ cup unrefined brown sugar
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
• ▢ 2 candy canes crushed
• ▢ white chocolate chips for melting
• ▢ 1 candy cane crushed for topping

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Stir flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a small bowl.
• Beat coconut oil, yogurt, and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract and beat again. Mix in flour mixture until just incorporated.
• Add 2 of the crushed candy canes. Mix until combined. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake in preheated oven until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand on baking sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks. Allow to cool completely.
• Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over the cookies. Top with additional crushed candy cane.

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Here are some more healthier holiday cookies I thought you might enjoy:

Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sugar Free Paleo Pecan Snowball Cookies from Sugar Free Mom

Gluten Free Butter Pecan Cookies

Narwhal Gingerbread Cutout Cookies from A Couple Cooks

Chewy Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Gingerbread Snaps from Primal Palate

Gingerbread Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Paleo Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Cranberry Ganache from Nosh and Nourish

Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Prosecco Buttercream Frosting

Paleo Thin Mints from Lexi's Clean Kitchen

Pistachio Cookies

Healthy Chocolate Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies from Fit Foodie Finds

Lemony Cookie Bars

Please stop by and comment to let me know if you made my Peppermint Crunch Cookies or any of these yummy cookies above. I love to hear from you!

I hope you enjoy these! What is your favorite cookie during the holidays? I am always looking for new suggestions and recipes.

Thanks for stopping by!