Cookies are delicious any time of the day but no one believes there could be healthy cookie recipes, many people think they are unhealthy and should be banished from a healthy diet. Fortunately for everyone with a sweet tooth, there are healthy cookie recipes that you can eat without feeling guilty. These healthy cookie recipes have less fat, less sugar, and include healthy ingredients such as whole grain flour, oatmeal, applesauce, raisins, and nuts.
Store-bought cookies are often loaded with sugar and saturated fats, but healthy cookie recipes made from scratch will satisfy your sweet tooth without adding inches to your waistline. If you make your own cookies using healthy ingredients you can enjoy them on a regular basis.
Healthy Cookie Recipes Ingredients
By adding the right ingredients to your healthy cookie recipes, they can help provide essential nutrients to your diet. Whole-grain flour, wheat germ, rolled oats, nuts and dried fruits are just a few of the healthy ingredients that you can add to your cookie recipes. If you have a favorite cookie recipe, you can also make some healthy substitutions.
Oil and Shortening Substitutes
Oil and shortening make your baked goods soft and chewy. While not all fats are bad, some are healthier than others. Canola, sunflower, and grapeseed oils are healthy options that you can try. Applesauce is also a good substitute for oil, and can really cut down on fats and calories.
Sugar Substitutes
To make your cookie recipes healthier you can start by reducing the amount of sugar called for in the recipe. Eliminate one-fourth of the sugar and give your recipe a taste test. You may be able to eliminate one-third of the sugar and still have a tasty cookie.
You can also substitute another sweetener for the sugar. Use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar, but add only half the amount. If the recipe calls for 1 cup sugar, use 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup instead.
Healthy Carrot Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
The following cookie recipe is found at 101 Cookbooks and contains healthy oatmeal, carrots and nuts.
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unrefined (fragrant) coconut oil, warmed until just melted
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and oats. Add the carrots and nuts. In another bowl, combine the maple syrup, coconut oil and ginger. Add the liquid ingredients to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
Drop by level spoonfuls on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake in pre-heated oven at 375 F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Healthy Cookie Recipes tips are easy to do and a great indulgence that will keep you slim.