Holiday Ginger Cookies with AIP Vanilla Frosting: A Family Tradition
As the holiday season draws near, there's something magical about gathering with family, baking, and filling the house with the scent of delicious treats. This year, we decided to embrace a new twist on an old classic with a batch of Soft and Chewy Healthy Ginger Cookies topped with AIP Vanilla Frosting. The combination of warm spices and creamy frosting brings a festive cheer to our kitchen, and these treats are perfect for everyone—even those following specialized diets like Paleo or AIP.
The Tradition of Cookie Making
Growing up, our family always looked forward to baking together. Whether it was classic sugar cookies or gingerbread men, the kitchen became a cozy haven where we could bond, laugh, and share stories. I remember how my grandmother would always say, “The best part of the holidays is the time spent with loved ones, and a little sweetness never hurts either.”
As our own family grows and our kids begin to embrace their own traditions, we’ve made it a point to keep the spirit of family baking alive—while making sure the recipes work for all of us. Our youngest, who has special needs, often struggles with certain ingredients, so we’ve learned to adapt favorite recipes to fit dietary restrictions, all while keeping them just as delicious. These Soft and Chewy Healthy Ginger Cookies are one such example, and they’ve quickly become a family favorite.
The cookies themselves are soft, with the perfect balance of warm ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, while the AIP Vanilla Frosting gives them a smooth, creamy finish—without any dairy or refined sugars. It’s a delightful pairing that brings a little extra holiday cheer to each bite.
Recipe: Soft and Chewy Healthy Ginger Cookies
Ingredients:
2 ⅔ cups (286g) blanched almond flour
½ cup (68g) unrefined coconut sugar
2 teaspoons ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon fine Himalayan salt
6 tablespoons (80g) pastured butter, coconut butter, or coconut oil
3 tablespoons (57g) raw honey, or maple syrup
2 tablespoons (26g) water
1 egg, room temperature
Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, coconut sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, honey, and water. Then whisk in the egg until fully combined.
Gently mix the dry and wet ingredients together. Be careful not to overmix.
Cover the dough and freeze for 40 minutes to 1 hour, or until it’s easy to handle.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Roll the chilled dough into 1 ½-tablespoon balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each cookie slightly with the palm of your hand.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges and bottom start to turn golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack and set aside.
Recipe: AIP Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients:
1 cup Palm Oil Shortening
2 tablespoons Coconut Cream
¼ cup Arrowroot Flour (or tapioca flour)
¼ cup Honey (or Maple Syrup for Vegan)
½ teaspoon Vanilla Powder (or 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract for Paleo)
Pinch of Salt
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
Using a handheld mixer, beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
Store in the fridge if not using immediately. If it hardens, let it return to room temperature or soften it using the mixer.
Creating Lasting Memories
This recipe is more than just a treat—it’s a chance to create lasting memories with our loved ones. Every year, as we gather around the kitchen table, we pass down these little moments of joy. We’re not just baking cookies—we’re baking memories that will be cherished for years to come.
So, this holiday season, whether you’re continuing old family traditions or creating new ones, make these Soft and Chewy Healthy Ginger Cookies with AIP Vanilla Frosting a part of your celebrations. They’re sure to bring smiles to your loved ones’ faces and add a little extra sweetness to your holiday season.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season filled with love, laughter, and lots of cookies!
