Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Lately, I have been trying to look at food a little differently. Trying to see past just the fat and calorie content by also taking a look at the ingredient list; looking for more whole grains and less of those pesky words that I can't pronounce. 

Whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables have started showing up more often on our plates and replacing bleached all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour is just a start. But my little family loves desserts, and I love to bake. So with that, I've been trying to find slightly healthier alternatives that still taste great.

 Hence this chocolate chip cookie recipe. It's amazing!  Even if you aren't watching your food intake, I would recommend giving this a try. It's that good! :) Enjoy!

 

Healthy Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe made with Cream Cheese

These cookies puff up while baking so the instructions have you lightly flatten them with your finger part way through their baking time to deflate them.

• Canola oil (for greasing the cookie sheets)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup low-fat cream cheese
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 6 ounces

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet with canola oil. Alternatively, line your baking sheet with parchment paper and skip the oil.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until well blended.
3. Add egg yolks and vanilla and mix on low until just combined.
4. In a medium bowl, combine flours, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips.
5. Add the flour mixture to butter mixture and mix with a large spoon until combined.
6. Place heaping teaspoonfuls (or use a 3/4 ounce scoop) onto baking sheet spaced about 1 1/2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 7 minutes. Lightly flatten cookies with finger. Rotate baking sheet (front to back) and bake an additional 3 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.