Description

A Holiday Classic Reimagined This recipe adapts the traditional gingerbread man for a blood-sugar-friendly lifestyle without sacrificing that nostalgic snap. We’ve enhanced the flavor profile by introducing fresh orange zest and vanilla, which brighten the warm spices and mask the cooling effect sometimes found in sugar-free sweeteners. By adjusting the technique to roll the dough before chilling, we achieve perfectly shaped cookies with less frustration.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups Superfine Blanched Almond Flour (approx. 224g)
1/4 cup Coconut Flour (approx. 28g)
1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tbsp Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Xanthan Gum (essential for texture)
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
1/8 tsp Ground Nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

1 cup Granulated Monk Fruit Sweetener (or Golden Erythritol blend (approx. 200g))
3/4 cup Unsalted Butter (softened to room temperature (approx. 170g))
1/2 tbsp Blackstrap Molasses (for flavor and color only)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Fresh Orange Zest (finely grated)

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Instructions

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, and all spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg). Whisk thoroughly to ensure the xanthan gum is evenly distributed and there are no clumps.
Cream Butter and Sweetener: In a separate large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with the granulated sweetener on medium-high speed until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Incorporate Flavorings: Lower the mixer speed and mix in the molasses, vanilla extract, and orange zest until combined.
Form the Dough: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in two batches. Mix until a thick, cohesive dough forms. If the dough feels excessively crumbly, add water 1 teaspoon at a time, only if absolutely necessary to bring it together.
Roll Before Chilling: Divide the dough in half. Place one half between two large sheets of parchment paper. Roll out to a ¼-inch thickness. Repeat with the second half. Stack the two parchment-enclosed dough sheets on a baking sheet and freeze for 15–20 minutes (or refrigerate for 45 minutes). Note: Rolling before chilling makes handling stiff keto dough much easier.
Preheat and Cut: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Remove one sheet of dough from the freezer. Peel off the top parchment, then gently place it back on. Flip the dough over and peel off the back parchment (this loosens the dough for easy removal later). Use cookie cutters to cut shapes.
Bake: Transfer shapes to a parchment-lined baking sheet or silicone baking mats, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 10–13 minutes. The cookies are done when they are puffy and golden brown around the edges.
Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the hot baking sheet for at least 20 minutes. Do not touch them while hot; almond flour cookies are extremely fragile until fully cooled and set. Transfer to a wire rack only after they firm up.

Notes

Health Balance Note: This recipe is an excellent choice for blood sugar management, offering very low net carbs and minimal added sugar relative to its calorie count, plus a good dose of fiber. However, because it relies on butter for texture, a single cookie contains about 5g of saturated fat—roughly one-third of the daily recommended limit for those managing heart health. For this reason, we suggest enjoying just one cookie as a balanced, satisfying treat.
Texture Tip: Almond flour cookies do not harden exactly like wheat cookies. They will have a slight chew. For a crisper cookie, roll them slightly thinner (1/8 inch) and watch the oven closely to prevent burning.
Allergy Alert: Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds, Coconut) and Dairy (Butter).
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the butter with solid coconut oil or shelf-stable vegetable shortening (adjust salt if needed).
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

These are approximate estimates based on standard nutritional data. Values may vary based on brands, exact measurements, and specific ingredients. For precise calculations, use a nutrition tracking app like MyFitnessPal or consult a reliable database.

Nutrition

Calories: 132