I don’t know about you but I love cookies. Scratch that, I love all sweets…like really love all sweets. So during the Christmas season you can find me in the kitchen (with all the deliciousness)  and ya know sometimes I have one too many cookies or I lick one too many frosting bowls. So…drumroll please…here is a recipe for natural, non-fat & no sugar added gingerbread cookies!!!! (Yes, I know that is a mouthful…get it…mouthful…lol).

INGREDENTS

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

• 3/8 cup honey or other natural sugar

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 6 tablespoons homemade or unsweetened applesauce

• 3/8 cup molasses

• 1 tablespoon milk

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium sized bowl, combine flour, spices, salt & baking soda 

2. Add applesauce and mix until there are no large clumps

3. Gradually add honey, molasses & milk until the dough forms a ball

4. Move dough into the freezer for approx. 15 min/ until firm. Take firm dough & divide into two parts. Working with the first portion, roll dough to 1/4-1/2 inch thick between two sheets of parchment paper. Move the dough sheet (still in the parchment paper) to the freezer & repeat with the second part of dough

5. Preheat over to 350 degrees & line cookie sheets with parchment paper

6. After approx. 30 minutes remove dough from freezer & discard parchment paper

7.  Cut dough into shapes using cookie cutters & refreeze any dough scraps

8. Bake for 5-6 minutes and let cookies set on the sheep for approx. 2 minutes after removed from the oven.

9. Move to cooling rack & decorate

Note: These cookies make awesome gifts…just tie them up with a little twine and add a sprig of evergreen!