Healthier Choco Chip Cookies
Have you ever been stuck out at sea, afraid and alone? Okay, so I may be enhancing my story a bit. Technically, I wasn’t alone and we weren’t stuck out at sea, but we were stuck, and I was starting to freak out… On the inside, of course. I had to stay brave for Squirrel.
Squirrel and I decided to go out for a nice, relaxing ride on the open waters the other day. Our nice little ride turned into a nightmare. Yup, we were cruising. Life was good.
Click. Stop!
Me: Um, what just happened? Whatever it was, it doesn’t sound good.
Squirrel: It’s not. The motor seized.
Me: You got to be kidding me. I thought you fixed whatever it was that needed fixing.
Squirrel: Well…
Me: You mean you brought me out here knowing that we might break down?
Squirrel: I thought it was fixed. Don’t worry, we’ll use the trolling motor to get back.
**Boat doesn’t budge.
Man, it’s hot. The sun is beating down. I’m an open target and burning by the second. There’s a bee hovering around the boat. I’m afraid of bees. There’s no dang way to get away from the bee! Maybe I’ll jump in and swim to shore; every man for himself! I know I saw a life preserver around here somewhere. That would be rude, Jennie. You can’t leave your husband in the boat all by his lonesome. Plus, what would he think of you if you did that.
My thoughts tend to trail when I’m nervous. We were stuck in open water… Stuck! Other boaters were passing us without even offering to lend a helping hand. That’s messed up! And here I thought boat people were nice, helpful people. Boy, was I wrong. No help.
Me: Where’s the oar? Give me the oar. I’m saving us. I’m getting us the heck off of this water.
*Vigorously row, row, rows the boat all the way home.
I’m not kidding, you guys. I rowed that boat home. Little old me. Desperation kicked in and my adrenaline went into overdrive. So, while Squirrel tried to get the useless trolling motor to work, I rowed the boat to shore.
Hero? I like to think so.
What does every hero deserve after rowing a boat to safety? A cookie. A hero deserves endless amounts of cookies. And, since this hero is watching her waistline, she made and ate endless amounts of these healthier choco chip cookies.
Yup, you heard that right. I just used the words healthy and cookie in the same sentence. Never thought you’d hear that combo before, did ya?
Feast your eyes…
These are my new favorite cookie. They’re healthy, but they taste exactly like the original. I swear!
Don’t believe me? Just ask my panel of taste testers. None of them could tell the difference.
Me: How do you like the cookie?
Tester: *Crunch, crunch, chomp.
Me: So?
Tester: Mmm, it’s so good.
Me: It’s a skinny cookie. Half the fat and calories skinny.
Tester: Puh-lease. You’re kidding, right? You gotta be kidding! There’s no way… But it’s so good.
Me: I aim to please.
Belief is in the bite.
The trick to making healthier cookies is adding a combination of white whole wheat flour and almond flour. You can purchase almond flour at your local grocery, or you can make your own. I prefer to make my own since it’s much cheaper.
Almond flour: Place raw almonds in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until a fine crumb. Refer to the picture above for perfect almond flour consistency. Easy as pie!
Cookies require butter to for taste, texture, and structure, and I did use butter, I reduced the amount significantly. I added a combination of butter and coconut oil. The result is a tender, buttery cookie without all of the added fat and calories.
If you haven’t tried coconut oil, I highly recommend it. It does amazing things for baked goods.
Now I can eat a cookie, or cookies, and not feel a smidge bad about it. My healthier choco chip cookies=126 calories per cookie. The original chocolate chip cookie=553 calories per cookie. Whoa!
Move over original, there’s a new cookie in town.
See that gooey cookie oozing with dark chocolate? It’s skinny, and it’s calling your name.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room-temperature
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (do not melt)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- In the bowl of a stand mixer attached with the paddle attachment, cream butter, coconut oil, and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together white whole wheat flour, almond flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and kosher salt.
- Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until fully incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours before baking (do not skip this step).
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
- Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop 10 balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Pinch the sides of the dough gently to create a taller dough ball (this will ensure that the cookies bake up thick and soft). Place one cookie sheet in the refrigerator while the first batch bakes (we’ll only be baking one sheet of cookies at a time to ensure even baking). Place the cookies in the oven. Bake for 11-12 minutes (no longer than 13 minutes). The cookies will look under baked but will continue to bake on the sheets once they’re removed from the oven.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for 1 week.
45 Comments on “Healthier Choco Chip Cookies”
Oh maaaaaan, I’m glad you guys are okay! The man and I have been stranded before (on snowmobiles) so I know how frustrating and freaky it can be to have to get yourself home. Thank heavens for delicious (and healthier!) cookies to comfort your belly and soul when you get home! These cookies look incredible, my dear!
Being stranded is no joke. I didn’t like it one bit. I couldn’t agree more about the cookies. They make everything better.
Gosh, you’re saving lives with healthy eating AND boating survival skills. What’s next Wonder Woman? Peace in the Middle East?
I’m thinking about saving the polar bears next ;)
I can’t wait to try these! Love that you made them healthier with white whole wheat flour and almond flour!
Simply delicious!
Thank you so much!
You’re totally a hero. You like…deserve a medal. I probably would’ve just swam it…but my leg strength is much greater than my arm, and I don’t think I’m capable of rowing….
ummm yeah I need these cookies. Like…yesterday. PINNING.
A cookie medal? I was about to high tale it into the water and swim to shore, but Squirrel would have never let me live that down. I had to weigh my options. Thanks, Kayle!
Mmm, they look yummy! I love the coconut oil – I’ve been wanting to try that! Pinned!
Thanks, Lindsay!
Gee Jennie, you are making me feel real good about the cruise I’m taking next month. :-) Happy to know you have arms to steel to get you back to shore! Also happy to have these cookies in my life since I’m trying to get cruise ready!
Have fun on your cruise, Susan. Stick your toes in the sand for me.
You rowed the boat to shore? Nice. :) You totally ARE a hero.
And also because of these cookies. They’re pretty awesome. Love that you used whole wheat and almond meal! I’m going to share these suckers all over the place. They need to be seen by everyone. :D
Thanks, Erin!
Super Jennie to the rescue! I am so impressed that you rowed the boat to shore, but I don’t blame you for doing whatever it took! I’m not a fan of the water, as it scares me to get stuck out there, plus I can’t swim. And yay for healthy cookies!
Thanks, Laura! There was no way I was getting stuck out on the open sea for the bees to eat.
done. making these. say no more. because all this means is that i can eat twice as many, you little miracle worker. :) endless thanks.
Twice as many cookies is always a good thing.
Jennie, you are a winner! Not only for these fabulous cookies (I adore baking with butter, coconut oil and ghee as well as almond flour/meal…as with my paleo chocolate chip cookies), but for single-handedly saving you and your hubs. With that kind of adrenaline, you would win on Survivor hands down! I bet you were relieved to dock that boat once upon shore. Whew! What would we all do without our Messy Baker? Again, fabulous recipe. Cannot wait to try! xo
That dock couldn’t come any sooner. Thanks so much, Stacy!
Wowzaaa these look fantastic! I love coconut oil AND almonds AND chocolate and especially I love cookies… I have to try these! I’m also glad you made it to shore safely girl! :)
Cookies are the best sweet treat around. Thanks, Mallory!
Healthier cookies, um yes!! Then I can eat MORE!
That’s why I make healthy recipes. Two just isn’t enough; I need four!
Jennie, you are totally my favorite superhero. You saved Squirrel AND you made healthy chocolate chip cookies! You must have superpowers
Kim, you are too sweet. Thank you. All I need now is a cape.
For being healthier, these sure still do look sinfully good! Amazing recipe, Jennie!
Thanks, Georgia. They taste just like the real deal–I love it!
You know, rowing burns off millions of calories so you could totally have lots and lots of these cookies. :)
I rewarded myself with cookie after cookie straight to my cookie hole. It’s good being the hero ;)
I’m totally making these!!! I love that you used coconut oil in these beautiful little cookies.
You’re going to love them! Thank you.
Oh man…I don’t think I could row a boat, but I could totally smack down some of these cookies! Loving the three different flours!
These cookies are easy to take down. Thanks!
Ummmm…I read this the day you posted and why in the heck didn’t I comment?! I love love love this recipe. I need to pick up a tub of coconut oil so that I can make endless batches of these cookies and gorge on them guilt-free! Healthier means calorie-free right, Jen?
I’ve done that before, Nancy. No calories–that’s what I keep telling myself :)
I travel for work, and try to pack healthier lunches. I buy fig newtons for my quick sweet treat, and then no guilt involved for me YAY! BUT oh my word, your cookies would be freakin’ awesome, and seriously no guilt involved when I have my fun dessert! Yum-O! Hugs, Terra
You are my hero! These skinny chocolate chip cookies are in fact calling my name. Usually nothing healthy calls my name and therein lies the problem!
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Just baked them and they turn out very good….my kids love them. I make mini cookies and my kids ate it 4 each after they came out of the oven. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Lek! Thank you so much for visiting. I’m happy to hear that the cookies turned out nicely for you and your kiddos liked them. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers.
My 2 year old and I just made the dough and it’s in the fridge – can’t wait to bake them :) But I don’t know what “white whole wheat flour” is, nor could I find it….just used regular whole wheat flour, so I hope they turn out!!
Looks like a good recipe, but what heck were you putting in your regular choc chip cookies? 553 calories!? A Dunkin Donut only has 400…were you substituting donuts for flour and bacon fat for butter? Either that you’re making some HUGE choc chip cookies.
I just made these, and they turned out great! The waiting while the dough chilled felt like forever but it was sooo worth it! By the time they are cool enough to go in a container, there may not be many left!
My first recipe from your blog but it definitely won’t be my last!
Thanks!