Who doesn’t love the warm, cozy flavors of gingerbread during the holidays? These Keto Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies bring all the spicy, sweet, and festive vibes you crave, but without the sugar crash!
They’re soft, chewy, and filled with a rich, creamy filling that feels indulgent but fits right into your low-carb lifestyle.
They’re also easy to make, so you can whip up a batch with your kids or for a fun holiday baking day. Let’s dive in and make some magic in the kitchen!
What You’ll Need
For the Cookies:
- 1 ¾ cups almond flour
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅓ cup granulated erythritol (or your favorite keto sweetener)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup (optional for extra moisture)
For the Filling:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered erythritol
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional for extra flavor)
Pro Tips
- Chill the dough: Let the cookie dough chill in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before baking. It helps the cookies hold their shape when baking.
- Use your thumb gently: Press into the dough lightly to create the “thumbprint” – if it cracks, just pinch it back together.
- Don’t overbake: These cookies will firm up as they cool, so take them out when the edges just start to set.
- Room temp ingredients: Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to avoid lumps in your dough or filling.
- Get the kids involved: Kids love pressing the thumbprints into the cookies, and it’s a great way to get them excited about baking!
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small spoon or piping bag for the filling
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap almond flour with sunflower seed flour for a nut-free version.
- Don’t like cream cheese? Use sugar-free chocolate ganache or peanut butter as the filling.
- Add a pinch of orange zest to the dough for a citrusy holiday twist!
Make-Ahead Tips
- The dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Bake the cookies and store them (unfilled) in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Fill them fresh before serving for best texture.
Instructions
1. Mix the dry ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, erythritol, and salt.
2. Cream the wet ingredients
In another bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated erythritol until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond milk, and sugar-free maple syrup (if using) and mix until smooth.
3. Combine the wet and dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until a dough forms. Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes.
4. Shape the cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently press your thumb into each ball to create an indent.
5. Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are just starting to set. Cool the cookies completely on the baking sheet.
6. Make the filling
Beat the cream cheese, powdered erythritol, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
7. Fill the cookies
Spoon or pipe the filling into the indents of each cooled cookie.
8. Serve and enjoy!
Optional: Dust lightly with powdered erythritol for that snowy holiday look.
Leftovers and Storage
- Store the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze them (filled or unfilled) in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Wrap-Up
These Keto Gingerbread Thumbprints are the perfect guilt-free treat to share with family and friends this holiday season.
They’re packed with flavor, easy to make, and so festive! Give them a try, and let me know how they turned out for you in the comments below – I’d love to hear if your family loved them as much as mine! Happy baking! 🎄
