So…cookies, yes?
Complete with hunks of melty dark chocolate, soft and chewy centers, and sweet hints of banana, cinnamon, and vanilla. Oh, and did I mention they’re HEALTHY and LIGHT? No refined sugar, no butter, 100% whole grain, and just over 100 calories apiece!
On top of that, they’re super simple and quick: The dough is ready in one bowl with no need for fancy mixers (or the hassle of cleaning them), and in just a couple minutes your home will be filled with the warm, cozy, enchanting aroma of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Can you honestly think of a better smell?
Honestly, I debated whether to include “healthy” in the title of these cookies because of the stigma that surrounds healthy or lower-calorie baking: that it’s not as good as the “real thing.” I’ve heard many people say that if they’re going to indulge, they’re going all the way–just bring on the butter, sugar, and white flour. Granted, I have a freezer shelf full of attempted healthy and lighter versions of baked goods that didn’t quite turn out (saving them just in case I change my mind). But more times than you might think, the same types of treats that everyone loves can be made with balanced amounts of healthy ingredients and be DOWNRIGHT DELICIOUS. I also think it adds something to be able to feel good during and after your “indulgence.”
Take these cookies for example…
- 1/2 overripe medium banana
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 packets Stevia in the Raw*
- 50g white whole wheat flour
- 25g quick rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- pinch sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 40g dark chocolate, chopped**
- Preheat oven to 350º. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, mash banana very well with a fork, until no lumps remain.
- Add into the same bowl coconut oil (softened but not melted), maple syrup, vanilla, and sweetener; stir to incorporate.
- Add everything else except the chocolate, mashing/stirring thoroughly until evenly combined.
- Fold in chocolate.
- Spoon dough onto prepared baking sheet to form 8 cookies, pressing down slightly.
- Bake 7-9 minutes, or until desired doneness.
- Enjoy immediately, or freeze after cooling. (If frozen, thaw in microwave ~15 seconds.)
- *You can substitute 1/4 cup coconut sugar (or equivalent) if desired.
- **I like using 72% dark chocolate squares, but you can substitute any kind of chocolate.