Spice Up Your Holidays: Guilt-Free Gingerbread Cookies (Raw Vegan, Keto, and Low Glycemic)

When the air turns crisp and the scent of cinnamon and clove wafts through the house, you know it’s officially gingerbread season. But what if you could indulge in these classic holiday flavors without the sugar crash?

This wonderful recipe for raw, grain-free, vegan, keto gingerbread cookies brings the nostalgia of the holidays to your home while keeping your hormones and blood sugar happy. Whether you’re baking keto Christmas cookies or creating treats for whatever holiday you may be celebrating this season, these low carb, gluten-free holiday cookies are perfect for anyone wanting to enjoy making, sharing, and eating gingerbread cookies with friends and family over the holidays.

What Are Raw Vegan Gingerbread Cookies Made Of?  

This low carb, gluten free recipe puts a healthful twist on traditional gingerbread cookies by swapping out refined sugars and flours for nutrient-dense, whole food ingredients. Walnuts and pecans form the base of this low carb dough with their rich, buttery flavor and loads of healthy fats.

The spiced sweetness comes from a blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, clove, and a touch of stevia for a low-glycemic treat that satisfies your sweet tooth. Chia gel binds everything together while shredded coconut adds texture.  Just mix it all and form it into your desired shapes.

How Do You Make Gingerbread Cookies?  

Who doesn't love to play with their food? Making these low carb healthy gingerbread cookies is like a hands-on holiday craft session in the kitchen. You’ll start by blending the nuts, chia gel, coconut, and spices in a food processor until everything forms a sticky cookie dough.

The real fun begins when you roll out the dough onto some parchment paper (slightly damp hands and rolling pin are your secret weapons!) and start cutting gingerbread men and women and other festive shapes with your favorite cookie cutters.

Not into fancy shapes? Roll the dough into bite-sized balls instead. Roll the remaining dough on your covered baking sheet, and cutout or form some more. Pop them into the freezer for a quick set, and voilà—holiday magic in every bite!  

How Do You Customize This Recipe?  

Customizing this Christmas cookies recipe is part of the fun, especially when making these chewy, sugar-free gingerbread cookies that smell amazing and can be cut into fun shapes!

Want a bit more zing? Add more ginger and clove.

Don't have chia seeds? Use a flax egg instead (1 tablespoon ground flax mixed with 2 1/2 tablespoons water).

Craving more sweet flavor for these sugar free cookies? Add a few more drops of stevia or a sprinkle of monk fruit, even a little more cinnamon can make it feel a but sweeter.

Want a brown sugar flavor? A touch of mineral-rich blackstrap molasses may do the trick. You could also mix in some almond butter or sunflower seed butter to make chewy cookies.

In a hurry? Use a mix of almond flour and coconut flour in place of the nuts to save time.

You can even decorate your cookies with goji berries, raisins, a dollop of coconut cream, your favorite nut butter, or a sprinkle of sugar free dark chocolate chips for a festive flair.

The possibilities are endless, making these sugar free cookies as versatile and delightful as your imagination!

You could make this dough ahead of time, cover tightly in plastic wrap or a freezer bag, and make these with family and friends later. You will need to remove the chilled cookie dough from the fridge and let it warm back up to room temperature before trying to roll out or mold into shapes to keep it from crumbling.

Enjoy these keto gingerbread cookies with Eggnog or a festive Hawthorn Berries Holiday Harmony Tea.  

How Do These Ingredients Help with Blood Sugar Balancing, Heart Health, and Hormones?  

This egg free, keto Christmas cookies recipe is a celebration of nutrient-rich ingredients that support your overall health including your metabolic health by keeping blood sugar stable.

Pecans and Walnuts

Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and antioxidants, pecans and walnuts support heart and brain function. Their fiber helps stabilize blood sugar, while their healthy fats promote hormone production and balance.  

Pecans are a functional food rich in polyunsaturated fats, dietary fiber, and polyphenols like proanthocyanidins and flavonoids which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.   

Walnuts, higher in plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation by lowering inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-?. They are also full of potent antioxidants, including ellagic acid and vitamin E which support cardiovascular and cellular health.  

Chia Gel  

Made from chia seeds and water (1:3), this gel is full of healthful nutrients. It's soluble fiber improves digestion and blood sugar regulation while omega-3 fatty acids support hormonal health and reduce inflammation.  

Chia seeds are rich in ?-linolenic acid like the walnuts above. They are also anti-inflammatory and contain antioxidants like chlorogenic acid and quercetin which have cardioprotective, anti-aging, and anticancer effects.  

Cinnamon

Cinnamon enhances insulin sensitivity which helps regulate blood sugar. It is also antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.

Cinnamon contains cinnamic acid and polyphenols which inhibit inflammation by reducing NF-?B activity. Its antioxidant compounds include proanthocyanidins which combat oxidative stress and support metabolic health.  

Ginger 

Ginger is known for aiding digestion, and it also reduces inflammation and supports gut health. It can also help regulate blood sugar and balance hormones.  

The phenolic compounds in ginger include gingerols and shogaols which provide a range of benefits. They are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer. Ginger also protects against neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.  

Clove

Clove is high in eugenol, an antioxidant and antimicrobial compound that promotes liver detoxification and healthy digestion. Both are necessary for maintaining hormonal balance.  Cloves are rich in vitamins and minerals like manganese, magnesium, and potassium which aid antioxidant enzyme activity and support cardiovascular health. Their antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties also enhance immune and digestive health.  

Shredded Coconut

Coconut contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which provide a quick source of energy and supports brain function by being readily converted into ketones. It also demonstrates antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory effects. The fats in coconut are efficiently absorbed and may contribute to improved lipid profiles by increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. Coconut is also contains phenols and antioxidants which enhance its anti-inflammatory benefits.

Stevia  

This herb is a natural, zero-glycemic sweetener offers sweetness without spiking blood sugar, making it ideal for blood sugar management.  Compounds in stevia have been shown to provide anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits, supporting overall metabolic and cellular health.  

This keto cookie recipe transforms indulgent holiday flavors into a nutrient-packed treat that nourishes your body while satisfying your sweet tooth. Together, these ingredients work in harmony to support your endocrine system, nourish your microbiome, and promote stable energy levels throughout the season.  

Where Can You Find More Nutritious and Delicious Recipes?  

If you’re looking for more vegan keto holiday recipes that remind you of traditional recipes but deliver both incredible flavor and powerful health benefits, explore Dr. Ritamarie's Holiday Favorites: How to Keep Your Energy High and Your Weight Stable Throughout the Holidays  from the Healing Kitchen Show found in the Body Freedom Nutrition Lab.

The Body Freedom Nutrition Lab is filled with festive, nutrient-packed recipes that are grain free, dairy free, low carb, and designed to nourish your body while keep your energy steady and blood sugar stable. Whether you're managing blood sugar, supporting heart health, or simply embracing a healthier holiday, there’s something here for everyone. Let the Healing Kitchen and Body Freedom Nutrition Lab guide you to a season of vibrant health and delicious celebration!