Your new favourite cookie recipe! Slightly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and spiced just right – you won’t be able to tell that these are healthy ginger cookies!

Your new favourite cookie recipe! Slightly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and spiced just right - you won't be able to tell that these are healthy ginger cookies!

Healthy Ginger Cookies

When I asked my friends on Instagram what kind of content the wanted to see this holiday season, I got several requests for healthier Christmas cookies.

Now, let me start by saying it’s hard to make a cookie entirely “healthy”. Also, healthy is a term that really means something different to everyone. But I did do my best to create a healthier holiday cookie with nourishing ingredients as requested.

This recipe is based off of my mom’s recipe for ginger molasses cookies. Fun fact: she actually calls them ‘Spice Crinkles’.

So in order to make the recipe somewhat “healthier”, I subbed the all-purpose flour for whole grain spelt flour and reduced the sugar content a little bit. I promise you, you won’t even be able to tell!

Your new favourite cookie recipe! Slightly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and spiced just right - you won't be able to tell that these are healthy ginger cookies!

How to Make Healthy Ginger Cookies

For this recipe, it’s easiest to use a stand mixer or hand mixer. You can also use a good old wooden spoon to mix the ingredients, this will just require further effort.

Step 1: Cream butter and sugar. Then add the egg and molasses.

Start by creaming the butter and brown sugar together, then beat in your egg and molasses, one ingredient at a time.

Step 2: Add remaining ingredients.

Add spelt flour, baking soda, salt, ground cloves, cinnamon and ginger. Mix to combine and cookie dough forms.

Step 3: Shape into balls and roll in sugar.

With clean hands, shape the dough into balls and then roll in a small dish of sugar until lightly coated. Place on a greased cookie sheet and lightly press each cookie with the back of a fork.

Step 4: Bake

Bake the cookies at 350F for 10 minutes. The cookies should be golden brown and will flatten slightly but this is expected. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack until completely cooled.

Your new favourite cookie recipe! Slightly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and spiced just right - you won't be able to tell that these are healthy ginger cookies!

Tips for Making the Best Ginger Molasses Cookies

Just a few tips I have to ensure you get the best results with this recipe:

  • Don’t skip rolling the dough balls in sugar. I know it adds a little extra sugar, but this helps the outside crisp a little, and it makes the cookies look nice and festive.
  • When you press the cookies with a fork, just do it lightly and beware not to flatten them out too much. They will flatten a little in the oven, but we still want to maintain some airy, fluffy texture as well.

Substitution Suggestions:

I have also tested this recipe with whole wheat flour and they turned out great. If you prefer to use all-purpose flour, this will work too, just add another 1/4 cup.

I have not tried this recipe with plant-based alternatives to butter or eggs, but if you do, please let me know how they turn out!

Slightly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and spiced just right - you won't be able to tell that these are healthy ginger cookies!

More Healthier Holiday Treats to Make:

Healthy Chocolate Peppermint Freezer Fudge

Healthy Pistachio Chocolate Cookies

No-Bake Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Healthy Gingerbread Pancakes

Vegan ‘Eggnog’ Chia Pudding

Healthy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Slightly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and spiced just right – you won't be able to tell that these are healthy ginger cookies!
5 from 7 ratings
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Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup fancy molasses
  • 2 cups whole grain spelt flour, can sub. whole wheat flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350F and grease 1-2 cookie sheets. Cream the butter and brown sugar together, then beat in the egg and molasses, one at a time.
  • Add spelt flour, baking soda, salt, ground cloves, cinnamon and ginger. Mix to combine and cookie dough forms.
  • With clean hands, shape the dough into balls and roll in a small dish of sugar until lightly coated. Place on greased cookie sheet(s) and lightly press each cookie with the back of a fork.
  • Bake for 10 minutes. Cookies should be golden brown and will flatten slightly but this is expected. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire cooling rack until completely cooled.
Course: Baked Goods, Dessert
Author: Hannah Magee, RD
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