Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies

Friday night, My Husband had poker night so once my little men were in bed I decided I wanted to bake cookies. Since it was evening and the temperatures outside were going lower, I didn't feel like that was a completely bad idea. Now, if it had been a few hours earlier I think a smoothie would have been in order instead.

I have no idea where this cookbook came from, but on my bookshelf I found the Nestle Best Loved Cookies cookbook. As I paged through I saw quite a few possibilities but just couldn't settle on one that fit my mood. Once I got to the "lighter delights" chapter I knew I found the right place for me! Those of you who have been visiting regularly may have noticed a trend lately - I've been REALLY, REALLY, REALLY trying to make more healthy and low-calorie recipes. Of course, I can't do that all the time because I don't believe in deprivation - I love food way too much for that. But, when I found this cookie cookbook had a lighter version of several of the recipes I was definitely interested to see if they would satisfy my never ending sweet tooth.

I decided to make the Good-for-You-Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies. I don't know why, but I have been wanting to find a really yummy oatmeal based cookie. I could make the one on the container of oatmeal, which is good, but I didn't want raisins and finding something that is lower in calories means I might be able to indulge in 2 cookies instead of just one. I also left out the nuts in the recipe, which means the calories are even lower than stated in the recipe. Of course with only 120 calories and 5 grams of fat per cookie, you can indulge even if you do add the nuts.

This recipe also gave me the chance to use another Penzey's spice that I had purchased, Chinese Cassia Cinnamin. Just opening the jar puts this incredible sweet and pungent scent in the air. The cinnamin in the recipe is not the star, but I must tell you that if you have a really good cinnamin it is worth using in this recipe. The extra punch of flavor added to the cookie is key to the overall taste. These lightened cookies are so delicious! I baked them so that they would stay soft and chewy rather than crispy. The texture with the oatmeal and chocolate chips is just like a perfect oatmeal cookie.

Good-for-You-Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies
Source: Nestle Best Loved Cookies

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 egg whites
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions
Combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl. Beat together brown sugar, granulated sugar, margarine and applesauce in a large mixer bowl. Beat in egg whites and vanilla. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Stir in the oats, chocolate and nuts. Drop by tablespoonful onto greased baking sheets.

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees for 9-10 minutes if you want a chewy cookie - 12-13 minutes for crispy cookies. Let stand on the cookie sheet after baking for 2 minutes, then remove to wire racks to completely cool.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Here are some more healthy treats to try:
Low-Fat Mini Cheesecake Tarts @ Stephanie's Kitchen
Double Chocolate Cookies @ Enlightened Cooking
Smoothies and Popsicles @ Prudence Pennywise