Complete Chocolate-Chip Cookies
I LOVE these cookies! They definitely taste healthy, but that does NOT mean they taste bad. They're the perfect little sweat treat. Jam-packed with fiber and protein with the added joy and bonus of chocolate, these cookies are great as a snack or even as a quick breakfast! Give them a try; I bet you'd be surprised ;)
Ingredients:
- 1/3 c. unbleached white flour
- 1/3 c. wheat flour
- 1/3 c. wheat germ
- ½ t. baking soda
- scant ½ t. salt
- ¼ c. rolled oats
- 2 T. almonds
- 1/2 c. butter (1 stick), softened
- ½ c. brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 t. vanilla
- ¼ c. white bean puree*
- 1 handful chocolate chips
- 1 handful chopped walnuts (opt.)
1. Combine flours with wheat germ, baking soda, and salt. Process oats and almonds in a food processor until fine; add to flour mixture. Add chocolate chips and nuts and toss. Set aside.
2. Beat butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and white bean puree until creamy. Fold in dry ingredients. Drop cookie dough (about 1-2 T.), spaced 2-inches apart, onto nonstick or parchment lined baking sheets. Gently press cookie dough so it's a little on the flat side, not rounded.
3. Bake at 350 for 6 minutes, rotate sheet and cook another 6 minutes (or until golden brown). Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for two minutes. Remove cookies and allow to cool on a metal rack.
I will say (out of experience), that the butter is necessary. But considering all the protein and fiber, I'm willing to overlook the "offending" ingredient ;) Really, these little cookies are full of so much goodness! They're my kind of treat. *B
10 comments:
Made these last night and they were a big hit! Thanks!
I just have a small question, how can cookies that contain white flour, processed sugar, chocolate chips and regular salt be considered healthy? Just because you've added beans? That's like the old belief that if you had a diet coke with your happy meal, you were making a better choice! I'm sorry but these should not be advertised as healthy! You're Harming people!
These are not really healthy cookies, maybe if you substituted the sugar for a more natural sweetener like maple syrup, honey or brown rice syrup they could be considered a little healthier.
Dearest Anon(s),
I personally would love cookies made with whole wheat and unprocessed sugar! Unfortunately, the majority of cookie connoisseurs out there do not. I'm a firm believer in that good food should taste good, too. Otherwise, picky eaters won't touch it! A little goes a long way... By adding/substituting even a few good ingredients for bad ones does make them healthier.
Comparing these cookies to a Happy Meal is unfair. I never claimed these cookies were 100% healthy, but that they tasted healthy (especially when compared to your normal chocolate chip cookie). And they are healthier than your normal cookie. It has half the sugar than most cookies do. And yes, it does contain beans; and wheat flour, and wheat germ, and oats. Oh, and I always use sea salt :)
I would love to hear any modifications you've made (or another recipe to try)! The fun thing about recipes is that you can change them up and make them your own. I actually made these just the other day, except I used sorghum and oat flour, and ground flax-seeds. So please, try or play with the recipe first before blasting it. And negativity isn't healthy either ;)
Take care, and thanks for stopping by! *B
These are a lot healthier than the cookies I normally make! I like the idea of making small changes... baby steps towards a better lifestyle. I don't even know what "brown rice syrup" IS, so I'm glad you've given me a recipe that isn't too scary :)
There have always got to be some haters out there. "You're harming people" hahahaha give me a break!
In my book these are a whole lot healthier than the ones I make.
So yes, I call these HEALTHY!!!
Keep it up Beth!!!
Please don't be offended but the research is out and desserts made with something other than a neurotoxin isn't a baby step, it's necessary if you're going to call something 'healthy'. It's not physically difficult to just buy something else and use it instead, but the reasons have to be known. If you're using an ingredient that is highly addictive, immuno suppressing and makes children and adults alike depressed and cranky, go ahead and enjoy, just please don't title it as healthy. I think that 'most of those who do not' enjoy a cookie made with the assortment of healthy sweeteners available have probably not even tried them because they do taste amazing. I do apologize for comparing it to a happy meal. lol That was unfair and I should have been more constructive as opposed to emotional. I am just very passionate as I know what that terrible ingredient can do to the body. If that info was more readily available (which of course being so addictive and cheap we probably won't see that happen anytime soon) most people, especially parents would be quite mortified.
Thanks for the feedback as well!
ps, just using a little bit will not make a difference as the addictive quality will make you want more, just like any other drug.
Thanks again. :)
"Anonymous" needs to lighten up. It's a COOKIE.
Dear Anon,
I agree with you, and I am not necessarily advocating or promoting processed foods. However, this is not a whole-foods blog. It's just a "how to make small improvements" blog :) Again, each recipe should be totally customizable to you and your family's needs. I've baked with brown rice syrup, and I like it. But most people don't... The plus side is that taste buds are absolutely trainable! If someone is addicted to highly processed foods, I find it best to gently train them and lead them to better choices. My children love green drinks, and "healthy" cookies, because they've been raised on the stuff. Unfortunately, the majority of society has been raised on Happy Meals, and Diet Coke ;)
Again, I do not claim these specific cookies to be healthy. But, you have to admit that they are healthier. This recipe is a starting point, for those who can't switch cold turkey. The idea, and the ideal, is to eventually move toward a more holistic and whole-foods approach. Withdrawals are bound to happen, and I like to think that taking a baby-step approach toward health actually helps (rather than harms) a struggling addict.
It's obvious that health is important to both of us. We might have different opinions or view points of how to reach optimum health, but for now can we at least agree to disagree? This conversation is better done in person anyway... Thanks for adding to the discussion and I wish you and yours the happiest and healthiest of holidays! *B
I'm sticking with the dehydration theory. Oy. ;) Lots of love to you.
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