Don't let the word "healthy" scare you away. These are some of the most delicious chocolate chip cookies I've every eaten. However, please note that this is one of those recipes where the butter has to be taken out of the fridge and left to sit at room temperature for several hours, to soften up before using. Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:
| ½ cup (or 1 stick) | butter | 120 grams (or 120 ml)
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| ¾ cup | dark brown sugar | 180 grams (or 180 ml)
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| 2 | (large) eggs |
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| ½ teaspoon | vanilla | 2 ml
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| 1 cup | (all purpose) flour | 120 grams (or 250 ml)
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| ½ teaspoon | baking soda | 2 ml
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| ½ teaspoon | salt | 2 ml
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| 1 cup | rolled oats | 90 grams (or 250 ml)
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| ½ cup | wheat germ | 45 grams (120 ml)
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| 1 cup | (semi-sweet) chocolate chips | 75 grams (or 120 ml)
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| ½ cup | chopped nuts | 75 grams (or 120 ml)
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Notes, substitutions, and equipment:
- Butter: should be soft enough that you can "mush" it easily. Don't try to soften it by microwaving it: the microwaves start to cook the milk solids, so that they separate out from the butter fat. This gives you the wrong kind of consistency.
You can use margarine instead of butter, but you CANNOT use light margarine: light margarine has too much water in it.
- Dark brown sugar: in order to measure it correctly, pack it firmly into the measuring cup. You can also use Demerara sugar; however, white sugar or light brown sugar don't provide enough taste.
- Rolled oats: you can also use other kinds of cereals, as long as they aren't too sweet, for example: granola or Grape Nuts.
- Wheat germ: if you don't have wheat germ, you can substitute oat bran or more rolled oats.
- Nuts: this tastes best with almonds, pecans, or walnuts, but you can substitute just about any kind of nut.
- Cookie sheets: use ungreased cookie sheets; you will need at least two.
Directions:
- About 3 - 4 hours before beginning to bake, measure out butter and let it sit, so that it comes to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl cream the butter, then add the sugar & blend well.
- To this add eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
- Into a medium bowl sift the flour along with the baking soda and salt.
- Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix well, until smooth (use an electric hand mixer, if you desire).
- Add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, rolled oats, and wheat germ and mix well with wooden spoon.
- Using two regular teaspoons (not measuring spoons), drop cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches (5 cm) apart.
- Bake 11 - 12 minutes, or until golden with firm edges.
- Remove cookie sheets from oven and place on wire racks to cool.
This recipe makes about 4 dozen cookies, and they are delicious!
Disclaimer: while these recipes are the result of years of experience and/or lots of research, in the end they are just my personal preference. If you try something I suggest and it doesn't work for you, please don't sue me — I guarantee nothing. Best of luck!
Page created and maintained by A. Steinbergs
Last modified: January 11, 2012