Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Is there anything better than freshly baked chocolate chip cookies? Dumb question, of course there isn't. Chocolate chip cookies may be good for your soul, but they certainly don't benefit your body in most any other way.

I'm not about to reinvent chocolate chip cookies by any means, but a few ingredient substitutions here and there can certainly improve the nutritional profile!


The changes:

• Butter --> Earth Balance
• All-purpose flour --> White whole wheat flour
• Egg --> Flax meal
• Milk chocolate chips --> Dark chocolate chips/bar
• Add oatmeal & nuts

By making these small changes, we are buffing up the nutritional quality of cookies. Lower in saturated fat, higher in fiber, adding healthy fats and antioxidants. If you're going to treat yourself, treat yourself right!


Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes 18 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup + 2 tbsp white whole wheat flour (1 cup AP flour if you want them less dense)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup Earth Balance margarine
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 flax "egg" (1 tbsp flax meal + 3 tbsp water)
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (if desired)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Make your flax egg: Place flax meal in a small bowl, followed by the water.  Whisk together using a fork. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
3. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
4. Beat together butter, both sugars, and vanilla in a large bowl using a mixer. Add flax egg and beat to combine. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
5. Stir in dark chocolate, oats, and nuts (if using). Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
6. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until golden-brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Nutrition Information (per cookie, no nuts):
Calories: 215.5 kcal,   Total carbohydrates: 24.0 gm,   Fiber: 2.1 gm,   Total fat: 14.2 gm,   Protein: 1.4 gm