Ways to Make Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies

!±8± Ways to Make Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies

Is it possible to occasionally indulge in healthy chocolate chip cookies that taste good? Yes, and I have gathered a dozen recipes for healthier chocolate chip cookies to prove it.

Many "healthy cookies" don't taste very good and, in my opinion, are not worth the calories.

After a lifetime of weight struggles, I have learned that I would rather have a small tasty cookie every now and again than a bunch of tasteless substitutes, even if they are purported to be healthy. I am a survivor of the "Snackwells" era, where I somehow was convinced I could eat boxes of these tasteless wonders without guilt. I only managed to gain weight while getting zero satisfaction!

Now, I am older and a bit wiser. I know what works for me - real food in healthy balance. And when it comes to indulgences, I am on the lookout for treats that can satisfy my taste buds and my desire for wholesome goodness.

It is important to remember that a chocolate chip cookie is an indulgence to be enjoyed sparingly. It will never be a truly healthy food, and can only be made so healthful, before it begins to lose its lusciousness.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies Healthier?

There are lots of things you can do to lighten cookies and boost their nutrition. Here are a few of my favorites:

Use less fat or a healthier fat Substitute part of the fat with applesauce or yogurt Replace all or some of the flour with whole wheat or another whole grain flour Add some oats, nuts, seeds, and/or dried fruit Add some ground flaxseed Use dark chocolate chips Replace all or part of the sugar with a natural sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or sucanat (dehydrated cane juice). Add a healthy fruit or vegetable such as shredded zucchini, mashed bananas, or pumpkin puree.

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Makes about 24 cookies

These cookies have a lot going for them - they are low in sugar, dairy free, gluten free, easy and delicious. With just 6 ingredients they stir together quickly so you can be enjoying luscious, warm from the oven healthier chocolate chip cookies in 30 minutes or less. They call for Sucanat - dehydrated cane juice - but you can use plain brown sugar instead.

1 cup almond butter
3/4 cup Sucanat
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 ounces dark chocolate (at least 70%), broken into small pieces

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone liners.

In a medium bowl stir together the almond butter, Sucanat, egg, baking soda and salt until blended. Stir in the chocolate pieces until incorporated throughout the mixture.

Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto lined cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes then transfer cookies to wire racks to cool for 15 more minutes.