Even when you have diabetes, you can enjoy Christmas cookies. It’s true! But the Challenge of Christmas Cookies is not eating too many.
You see, I’ve been making Christmas cookies ever since I was a young teen. In the early days my sister and I would make cutouts and decorate them with Mom’s help. Over the years we would add other types of cookies to the yearly tradition. We had an active family of 8 and it was impossible to eat too many cookies back then.
When I had my own daughter I was so excited to pass on the tradition of baking Christmas cookies. I had Norman Rockwell images in my head. Annie was 2 years old when we started and it was a disaster that first year. I was a new mother with no clue and she would just grab the dough to eat it. We’ve been baking cookies ever since and it is a joy and beautiful connection between us. We still make several kinds and have our favorites. Annie is just finishing her first semester away in college and we have a “bake date” this weekend. Can’t wait! But we do not have a family of 8 and I eat too many every year!
I am determined not to eat too many this year. Here’s my plan:
- I’m deciding how many to eat on “bake day”. For me it’ll be 2 per recipe.
- We’re packaging them up to give away as they cool.
- We’re giving most away.
- I will not keep them in big tins on the counter to eat as I walk by! I will put them out of sight.
- I will allow myself 2 a day this season, and savor every bite.
Here’s one of my favorite recipes that I’ve been making for many years. I love the texture! It was the first cookie recipe I had seen using liquid oil, which is healthier than butter. Even healthy fats are high in calories so I cut the amount of oil down from 1 1/2 cups in the original recipe to save 962 calories!
Ginger Balls
1 cup canola oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup dark molasses
4 cups flour
4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
2 rounded tsp ginger
Beat together oil, sugar, eggs and molasses in a large bowl. Sift together dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Gradually add dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients. Refrigerate dough until chilled. May be kept for several days. Roll into balls and dip into granulated sugar. Place on baking sheet and and bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
Enjoy the season and contact me if you need any help getting healthy in the new year. Contact me
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