5 healthy Christmas cookie recipes for kids

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Christmas is a time for great food and lavish feasting. But the most wonderful time of the year is not an excuse for you or your kids to get into unhealthy eating habits.

As these delicious recipes prove, the little ones can enjoy cookies and still be pack in the nutrients they need. All of these cookies make for great snacks any time of the day or gifts to friends, classmates, and teachers. They're so easy to prepare that your tiny elves will want to give you a hand in the kitchen. Enjoy baking and Happy Holidays!

Cranberry-Honey Spice Pinwheel Cookies

Why it's a healthy treat: The cranberries are rich in antioxidants and give these cookies a fruity tang, while the ginger give them a spicy zest. Make a large batch, pull them out of the freezer, and bake as much as you want for the kids and their friends.

Get the recipe here.

Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

Why it's a healthy treat:  Developed by Marcie Dixon of Arlington Heights, Illinois, these indulgent cookies can be made with bittersweet chocolate, which has less sugar and richer flavor. Store these in elegant tin cans or glass jars and send them out as gifts. It's a present everyone would love to receive.

Get the recipe here.

Gingerbread People

Why it's a healthy treat: These cookies are not overly sweet and are a hit among kids and even adults. Create a gingerbread "family" and arrange these cookies in a box or plate lined with colorful paper. Use different cookie cutters to create whimsical shapes in different sizes.

Here's the recipe.

Popcorn Brittle

Why it's a healthy treat:  They're not exactly cookies in the conventional sense of the word, but they're just as easy to prepare and eat. Replacing the nuts with popcorn reduces its fat content and creates a festive mix of caramel corn and brittle.  It's crunchy and sweet, with just the right amount of saltiness. 

Get the recipe here.

Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

Why it's a healthy treat:  These chewy cookies are a great source of fiber. The toffee bits give these classic cookies a crunch that's pleasantly surprising. Bake a batch of these goodies and enjoy them with a glass of milk while watching your favorite holiday movies.

Learn how to make them here.