How To Make A Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookie

By BenOni | February 20, 2023

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

-In a bowl, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Beat in baking powder, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Add egg and beat until combined. Gradually add flour, mixing until just incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.

-Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet. Bake until cookies are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes; transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making healthier chocolate chip cookies is easier than you might think! Just a few simple substitutions are all it takes to lighten up this classic treat.

Unsalted butter is the first step to a healthier cookie. Most recipes call for salted butter, but unsalted has less sodium and is a better choice for baking. You can find it in the dairy section of your grocery store.

Granulated sugar can be replaced with an equal amount of honey or agave nectar. These natural sweeteners are lower on the glycemic index than sugar, so they won’t cause your blood sugar to spike as much.

Light brown sugar is another ingredient that can be swapped out for a healthier alternative. Coconut sugar is less processed than brown sugar and has a lower glycemic index. It can be found in the baking aisle of most supermarkets.

All-purpose flour can be replaced with whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend. These substitutes will add more fiber and nutrients to your cookies.

Finally, chocolate chips can be swapped for a healthier version like dark chocolate or cacao nibs. Dark chocolate has antioxidant properties and is lower in sugar than milk chocolate. Cacao nibs are even healthier than dark chocolate since they’re made from pure cocoa beans and have no added sugar.

With these simple substitutions, you can enjoy a delicious and healthier chocolate chip cookie!