The Cookie Monster

August 26, 2012

     I've been dabbling. I've been experimenting. I've been testing the waters in the world of healthy, vegan baking. And I think I'm finally on to something. Today, I made some seriously tasty, pretty healthy chocolate chip cookies. By swapping out some processed and refined ingredients for natural ones, I think I might have just made everyone's favorite cookie a little more wholesome.

Ingredients:
 1 1/2 + 1/8 (or 1 5/8) cup of whole grain flour (I used Arrowhead Mills brand.)
1 avocado, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13.5 tablespoons of stevia (I used Truvia in sugar crystal form. I don't know how using stevia powder or drops would work for consistency. If you want to use regular sugar, use 3/8 cup.)
1/2 cup light agave syrup (or 3/4 cup brown sugar)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips

Procedure: Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Combine avocado, vanilla extract, stevia, and agave syrup in a large bowl. Mix flour, salt, and baking soda in a smaller bowl. Pour flour mixture into sugar mixture a little bit at a time, mixing after each addition. I used an electric mixer, but a spoon should work just as well. Once the dough is well combined, add the chocolate chips. The dough will be a little bit wetter than traditional cookie dough so use a spoon to plop the dough onto greased cookie sheets. Flatten out with back of spoon if necessary. Bake for 8 minutes.


      For those curious about the nutritional content, these cookies come out to be about 100 calories each. This is roughly the same as a normal chocolate chip cookie. However, for me, the number of calories is not as important as the type of calories. Unlike traditional chocolate chip cookies, these ones are chock full of whole grains, healthy plant-based fats, and natural sugars. This is a far cry from the normal empty carbs, saturated animal fats, and processed sugars that we all love to inhale. And they are, in my opinion, just as good! Seriously, I ate four of them in like ten minutes-- all in the name of the scientific method. And it's not just for vegan health freaks like me! I set these out in my family's kitchen, not letting them know what was in the ingredients. They were devoured in two days.

     By the way, the avocado does tint the dough green a little bit, but after you bake them it's barely noticeable. If anyone asks, just reveal your secret ingredient, and the people will be worshipping at your feet. Remember, bitches love superfoods.



Oh shit, you guys probably wanted some pictures, right?

The finished product! 

That gooeyness looks pretty legit, if you ask me.

Think you have to prepare yourself for packing on the pounds this holiday season?
With these cookies, even Santa will be able to slim down!