We all know that the holidays are all about the sweet stuff. I know that in my family, my mom and I get together once a year (close to Christmas) and spend a day baking up some of our most favorite holiday cookies.

The two of us each have several of our own favorites that we bring to the table; and tend to rotate between a few each year. These butterscotch cookies have been in my deck for a good long while now. I think the first time that I made them was many years back now when I was in search of a soft gingerbread that wouldn't be too spicy for my toddler at the time.

These definitely did the trick. They are perfectly spiced with just enough of that gingerbread flavor that we all know and love while being softened with the sweetness of the butterscotch morsels.

Of course, I'm all for making things better-for-you these days. So I was super excited to try out a 'Holiday SWEET SWAPS™, (swapping out the sugar in a favorite holiday recipe for SPLENDA®) with these cookies! As a brand dedicated to adding sweetness to life, SPLENDA® inspires consumers to make smarter, balanced decisions with SWEET SWAPS™. These choices can help you create a sweet life and ensure a sweet future down the road.

SPLENDA® Sweetener Products can be used almost anywhere sugar is used, including cooking and baking. The SPLENDA® brown sugar was a perfect SWEET SWAPS™ for this recipe. I lightened these cookies up in other ways too. I swapped out the butter for light butter and used some whole wheat white flour in there.

When I took these cookies up to my daughter's dance class for a sweet treat, no one guessed that they were lightened up and made with way less the sugar than the average cookie. Success! Sweet, sweet, success.

All in all, I ended up with an empty cookie bin and a bunch of really satisfied little dancers and dance parents. These Skinny Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies will be the perfect addition to any gift, dessert table, or cookie swap!

If you're wanting more inspiration for your holidays you can find recipes, tips, tricks and more at SweetSwaps.com.

Skinny Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies
TheSkinnyFork.com

The Skinny:
Servings: 40 • Size: 1 Cookie • Calories: 112.2 • Fat: 5 g • Carb: 17.1 g • Fiber: 1.1 g • Protein: 1.2 g • Sugar: 7.9 g • Sodium: 130.9 mg

Ingredients:
2 C. White Whole Wheat Flour
1 C. All-Purpose Flour
2 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1 1/2 Tsp. Ground Ginger
3/4 Tsp. Ground Cloves
1/2 Tsp. Salt
3/4 C. Splenda Brown Sugar, Packed
1 C. Light Butter
1/3 C. Molasses
1 Whole Large Egg
1 2/3 C. Butterscotch Morsels

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
 

Combine 2 C. white wheat flour, 1 C. flour, 2 Tsp. baking soda, 1 1/2 Tsp. cinnamon, 1 1/2 Tsp. ginger, 3/4 Tsp. cloves and 1/2 Tsp. salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat 1 1/2 C. Splenda brown sugar, 1 C. butter, 1/3 C. molasses and the egg in large mixer bowl until creamy.

Gradually beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well blended.

Stir in 1 2/3 C. butter scotch morsels.

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

Place in the oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned.

Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.