Cookie Monster loves healthier cookies too! I found a great recipe for Chocolate-Cherry-Oatmeal cookies. The recipe is great as is, or you can adapt it to your tastes using some of the tips I’ve listed below.

Recipe website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-cherry-heart-smart-cookies

Ingredients

  • 1.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/3 cup) **or all whole-wheat
  • 1.5 ounces whole-wheat flour (about 1/3 cup) **or all whole-wheat
  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (quick oats can also be used, but add last to reduce mushy texture)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (try applesauce in place of 1/2 the amount of butter)
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (or alternate sugar – Splenda, Stevia if you prefer the taste)
  • 1 cup dried cherries (use unsweetened if you can find them!) **If you want to add nuts, reduce amount of cherries. Or replace cherries for dried blueberries or raisins
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten (or equivalent amount of egg substitute)
  • 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (chunks work better as it does not melt as quickly as chips)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 3 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk.
Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; add brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Add sugar mixture to flour mixture; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add cherries, vanilla, and egg; beat until combined. Fold in chocolate. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Cool on pans 3 minutes or until almost firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks.
**Can also make into bar cookies!

Watch it! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-cherry-heart-smart-cookies

To your health, 

Starr

Starr Cortner, M.S, MCHES, ACE, AFAA is a wellness specialist with over 16 years of experience in cardiovascular health and emergency medicine.