Greek Yogurt Cookies

Greek Yogurt Cookies

This recipe has been sitting in my draft folder way too long.  I made them years ago for a fourth of July party and they disappeared so quickly I never got a great close up, and consequently never got around to sharing the recipe for the last two and a half years.  They are a very simple, moist, cake like cookie that I would compare closely to the Pumpkin Cookie recipe I shared in my very fist blog post. It's actually kind of funny that I also never got a photo of those cookies. It's usually a good thing when my treats disappear before they are documented. And it just means I should probably make them again!  I love the simple flavor that the fresh organic butter and whole wheat flour provide, but these would be fabulous with a little orange or lemon zest mixed in, or almond extract instead of vanilla. I've even added in chocolate chips in a similar cookie recipe using ricotta cheese instead of yogurt that I plan to post later this week. Think of it as a basic cake like sugar cookie recipe that can be adjusted in numerous ways, and decorated for any occasion. And if the three full cups of whole wheat flour is a bit hearty for your taste, you could definitely lighten it up with a little white flour, or even a cup of almond flour as a replacement. Now it's time to get baking!

Superfood Chocolate Cookies

Superfood Chocolate Cookies

Avocado Cookies? Yuck!  I know, I get it.  They don't sound good. Even to someone like me who loves avocado chocolate pudding, and makes cookies with pureed beans in them. But I promise, if I didn't tell you there was avocado in these you would never, ever guess.  You would just think they were super fudgy little bites of dark chocolate goodness. It's no secret that I love to sneak healthy ingredients into baked goods so that I can get my kids, especially my daughter to eat fruits and vegetables without having to actually take a bite of a fruit or vegetable, so although there is chocolate and honey in the ingredients, I still think they provide a good amount of nutritious fuel for my family's active lifestyle.  These are best made in a food processor so that the ingredients combine smoothly, and then stored in the freezer to maintain freshness.  I made them small so they could be bite sized, but I am sure you could make them a little bit bigger and even add mini chocolate chips to them as well.  The combination of avocado, almond butter, and eggs, along with the rich chocolate, cocoa and honey, make them the perfect sweet treat that is also full of vitamins, fiber and protein. And they are great served with a thin layer of peanut butter on top, or as a little cookie sandwich! 

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm back!  As you may notice by looking at the dates of my posts, it's been almost three months since my last entry.  In other words, I basically took the summer off to spend a lot of quality time with my kids, my husband, my extended family, and friends.  I still spent a lot of time in my kitchen baking, cooking, trying out new recipes and perfecting old ones, but I chose to go to the beach, or the pool, or a neighbor's house afterwards instead of sitting at my computer organizing recipes and photos.  But now that my kids are back in school (6th and 2nd grade!), I don't have any great excuses as to why I am not writing up new and exciting recipes for the world to enjoy.

This is a very basic chocolate chip cookie recipe, with the healthy twist of using mostly whole wheat flour.  It is basically the same recipe you will find on the back of most bags of chocolate chips, but I felt that a food blog is not complete without the most standard American cookie recipe, and my family's favorite.  And since it is back to school time, what better way to send your kids off with a little love than a homemade chocolate chip cookie as a snack. 

I hope everyone reading this has a great school year, and I promise to keep posting new and exciting recipes that will be perfect for quick weeknight dinners, fun weekend get togethers and of course, school lunches.

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Now that Spring is officially in the air, I thought I would share my flower shaped cinnamon sugar cookie recipe.  I made these a few months ago, in the middle of winter, on one of the only snow days we had.  The cookie cutters that I found in a small shop in Falmouth, MA made it extra fun, and my daughter enjoyed adding the sprinkles onto the flowers with me.  This is a basic sugar cookie recipe, with the addition of cinnamon, and the replacement of white flour with organic whole wheat, and switching out the eggs for soaked chia seeds.  I love the little chewiness of the chia seeds, but you could definitely just use eggs instead if you prefer. When my kids are helping me and getting their hands into everything, I like knowing there is no raw egg in the dough they are playing with, so the soaked chia seeds are a nice alternative.

Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies

Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies

Welcome Spring!  This recipe honestly tastes more like Summer, with the tropical lime and coconut flavors, but why not get a jump start on the warmer months of the year!  Granted this winter has not been so bad here in Pennsylvania, but the 60 degree days and the flowers beginning to bloom in my yard are always a welcome sign of the season to come. I made these sugar cookies for my softball team's end of season party last June and for some reason never got around to sharing them, or making them again for that matter, which I really need to do. Based on a very basic sugar cookie recipe*, this creation uses coconut oil, coconut nectar and shredded coconut, along with lime zest, to add an amazing pop of flavor to an all time favorite cookie.  Like most sugar cookies, these taste better after a couple of days, when the flavors really come together.  And with organic whole wheat flour and healthy coconut oil, they are a treat that is actually great for you and your family!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you've just read my recipe for Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies, and wanted something equally tasty, but with a wealth of nutrition, you've come to the right place.  These cookies are my absolute favorite.  I eat them for breakfast, as a snack, or a dessert, and they are always in my freezer. I had read about using dates as the main sweetener in baked goods, and had already created recipes using beans and oats instead of flour, so I decided to combine those two approaches, use a freshly ground walnut butter as my fat and protein source, add in the amazing twist of fresh mint leaves, and (as my daughter would say) "BOOM!" I had a winner. And my daughter is probably my biggest fan of these cookies, so long as I grind the walnuts up completely.  I give them to her at least a couple of times a week, because even though at the age of 7 she knows what goes into them, and that they are one of "mommy's healthy desserts", they still taste, and look like a cookie.  A cookie she can have as the main part of a meal, and I know she's eating something her body needs.  Sure it would be better if I could get her to eat a plate of beans and rice, or turkey and mashed potatoes, with some broccoli or sliced avocado on the side, but she isn't that type of kid.  She is a girl who likes to wear suits and bow ties, cut her hair short, talk and ask questions incessantly, about anything and everything, so who am I to make her "normal", and eat what "normal" kids do.  She doesn't even eat chicken fingers, or grilled cheese sandwiches, only "not grilled" ones which is why if I ever have time, I will start working with her on her very own website, www.grilledcheesenotgrilled.com. But I digress.  These cookies are a sweet treat, but they are packed full of vitamins and nutrients, so if you have a picky eater like me, or are a health nut like me, you need to make these a part of your baking routine.  You won't regret it!

Walnut Brownie Cookies

Walnut Brownie Cookies

I have definitely found my favorite dessert.  If you are like me and love dark chocolate, and like it to be extra dense, rich and fudgy, then these treats are for you.  And if you look at the ingredient list, you can easily see another reason why they are my favorite: they are a big bite of health disguised as a cookie.  The main ingredient is raw walnuts, sweetened with raw honey, coconut oil and cocoa powder.  Walnuts are honestly one of the healthiest foods on the planet and an everyday staple in my kitchen.  They are full of "rare and powerful antioxidants" and are proven to promote heart health and reduce cancer risk.* You do need a food processor to make these from scratch, but I am sure you could use a store bought walnut butter if you had to. I promise that if you try these cookies just once, you will be hooked and want to share the recipe with everyone you meet.

* http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/05/19/7-walnuts-benefits.aspx

Peppermint Sugar Cookie Pinwheels

Peppermint Sugar Cookie Pinwheels

I seriously thought I would have posted a basic sugar cookie recipe already, but I guess I overlooked that last year when posting all my different versions of the original: (Vegan Coconut sugar Cookies and Vegan Chocolate Sugar Cookies). So here is the most basic sugar cookie recipe that I like to use, of course embellished for a Christmas theme.  Obviously you can use all white flour if you want lighter colored and textured cookies, but I love the hearty flavor and nutritional benefits of whole wheat and love giving cookies as a gift that are slightly unexpected and show people that even delicious treats can be healthy as well.  Some would argue that a "healthy cookie" defeats the purpose of a treat, and while I totally understand that sentiment, sometimes it is nice to be able to indulge while knowing you aren't completely sabotaging yourself.  But I honestly dare you to try these without completely falling in love with them because they are ridiculously good, and like all sugar cookies, they taste even better a couple of days after baking.  So you can enjoy them throughout the entire holiday season.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Drops

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Drops

This is a variation on my original Chocolate Almond Fudge Drops, but using my favorite peanut butter instead.  My son's teacher requested a "healthy treat" for his class' Valentine's Day party and since I know there are no kids with peanut allergies in his class and that usually kids are more familiar with and willing to eat peanut versus almond butter, I thought I would give these cookies a try.  I do think the consistency of the all natural organic peanut butter make these a little less fudgy and a bit more grainy, but the flavor is perfect. You could easily experiment with the ratio of ingredients and increase the cocoa and sugar (like I did once with the almond variety) to intensify that aspect of the flavor.  The possibilities really are endless.  But one thing is for sure- they are quick, simple, and delicious.  Hopefully his classmates all agree!

Inside Out Peanut Butter Cups

Inside Out Peanut Butter Cups

My favorite candy, besides creamy extra dark chocolate, is definitely a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Although I do not often let myself indulge in the original version, the combination of chocolate and peanut butter will always be a go to dessert flavor of mine. I recently came across a super simplified peanut butter cookie recipe that called for one cup each of peanut butter and sugar, mixed with one egg... which became my inspiration for the Chocolate Almond Fudge Drops I recently posted. I wanted to try the original version as well, but I can never keep anything simple, so of course I put my own spin on them and turned them into these marvelous delights.  While a peanut butter cup is mostly chocolate and processed peanut butter, these treats are mostly all natural organic peanut butter (and of course sugar) with just a touch of dark chocolate inside.  So while still being a dessert, they have some healthy protein, some nutritious flax seed and therefore, in my opinion, make an excellent after dinner indulgence.

Vegan Coconut Sugar Cookies

Vegan Coconut Sugar Cookies

These delicious cookies are a simple twist on my vegan chocolate sugar cookie recipe.  I needed an easy, inexpensive party favor to give out for a baby "sprinkle" party I am throwing this weekend and I thought a healthy and simple sugar cookie with blue sprinkles (it's a boy!!) would be perfect.  The expectant mother is Brazilian so I figured the tropical coconut flavor would be a hit (she loves coconut), and who doesn't love cookies?  I filled cute little containers that I found on sale after Christmas with the small cookies and decorated them with ribbon and stickers, as well as an ingredient list. I hope the extra effort and healthful creativity that went into this party gift makes it even that more special for all of the guests.

Chocolate Almond Fudge Drops

Chocolate Almond Fudge Drops

This cookie is about as simple, and delicious, as you can get.  With only five, mostly healthy ingredients it is a no brainer to throw together and yet it tastes like something from a gourmet candy shop.  I got the inspiration from a recipe I found in Oprah magazine that listed just sugar, peanut butter and eggs as the ingredients and I plan to try a peanut butter version of this soon as well.  The cookies seem very gooey when they first come out of the oven, but they solidify nicely and can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for days if they last that long.

* I made a double batch of these for a party a few weeks after the original post, but I didn't have quite enough almond butter... only about 1 2/3 cups instead of the 2 cups I needed.  So in order to thicken up the dough I added an additional 1/4 cup dark cocoa and 1/2 cup organic sugar.  They tasted just as amazing.

Whole Wheat Gingerbread Cookies

Whole Wheat Gingerbread Cookies

This is a very basic gingerbread recipe passed down from my mom.  I did change a few things, choosing to use all organic whole wheat pastry flour and substituting the 1 egg with soaked chia seeds, but you could easily revert back to the basic original version.  This recipe makes a lot of cookies, so they are perfect for a holiday cookie swap, or for giving away as gifts.  The thing with gingerbread is that it honestly tastes better and better after each passing day, so if the cookies even last that long, they can be enjoyed for days and made ahead for convenience.  This recipe can also be used to make a gingerbread house so long as you have a template to cut the shapes.  A few years ago, my husband, son and I made a gingerbread Alamo using this recipe and if I can find the photos, I will be sure to post them.  This cookie does have a bit of sugar in it (and butter) but it also has a ton of antioxidant rich spices and molasses, a nutrient dense sweetener.  Plus they are just delicious and will make your house smell amazing for days.

Pumpkin Maple Sugar Cookies (Vegan)

Pumpkin Maple Sugar Cookies

I made these cookies over Thanksgiving vacation and although I was not sure how they would come out, seeing as I completely made the recipe up, I should never have had any doubts. They are honestly my new favorite "healthy cookie".  Completely vegan, full of whole grains and healthful pumpkin, these cookies are perfect with a cup of tea, as a snack, dessert or even breakfast.  I had a bag of them with me on the plane ride back from vacation, and they were exactly what I needed that morning.  So this holiday, instead of the usual sugar cookies filled with butter and plain white sugar, try these nutritious and satisfying delights!!

Oatmeal Gingerbread Cookies

Oatmeal Gingerbread Cookies

It is another cold and snowy day here in the Poconos so why not spend the afternoon baking up some holiday cheer with your family?  This is another version of my simple to mix together oatmeal cookies, but with a gingerbread twist. The cookies are sweetened with healthy banana and the nutrient dense sweetness of molasses.  Full of antioxidant rich spices, protein packed almond butter and healthful organic oats, these cookies taste like more of a treat than they really are!  So whip up a batch and snack away!

Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Molasses Crinkle Cookies

This is a family recipe that I got from my mom that both of us have changed around from it's original version. We used whole wheat flour to add fiber and I also used almond butter in place of some regular butter to add in healthy fats and protein.  Of course like most cookies this has a decent amount of sugar, but it also has healthful spices and is far better for you than anything you could buy in a store.  Plus some of the sugar is molasses which is a nutrient rich sweetener that is high in manganese, copper, iron and calcium, just to name a few.

For more information about the health benefits of molasses, go to:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=118&tname=foodspice

Raspberry Fudge Cookies

Raspberry Fudge Cookies

Best Cookies Ever.  Just saying.  This recipe is adapted from one a friend of mine posted on Facebook awhile back called "Raspberry Cream Cookies." * Since my son is not as big a fan of dark chocolate as I am and that recipe called for white chocolate chips, I thought I would give it a try.  I changed it up with whole grain flour, of course, and they were delicious.  So good in fact that I made another batch to bring in for my son's 9th birthday party at school the following week. But even though I myself actually liked them, I knew that if I added dark chocolate chips instead or made them with cocoa powder baked in they would be even better.

It has been a couple of months since then and I have finally gotten around to trying out my dark chocolate version of the original recipe.  I had a feeling they would be good, but I had NO IDEA how good.  They are certainly not the most healthy dessert I have featured on here, but to their credit, they are made entirely out of whole wheat flour, have high fiber and antioxidant rich raspberries in them, and I replaced some of the butter with coconut oil. They also have dark cocoa and ground flax seed, so while not being a "health food", they are definitely a lot better for you than you would ever think after tasting them.  They are rich, fudgy, chewy, decadent and addictive (be careful!).  I will definitely be making these again soon!  Enjoy!!!

* http://www.anecdotesandapples.com/raspberry-cream-cookies-and-36-weeks

Maple Cornmeal Cookies

Maple Cornmeal Cookies

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!  I have been busy baking and cooking these last few days while on vacation in Canada and will certainly be posting Thanksgiving dinner recipes that I am working on in the days to follow, but here is an idea for a perfect Thanksgiving day breakfast.  A cross between a corn muffin and a cookie, this treat is hearty, chewy and not too sweet.  Pair it with some fresh fruit and a cup of coffee and get to work cooking up a turkey feast. Happy Hanukkah too!! 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

What is there not to love about a good old fashioned peanut butter cookie, except for the fact that it usually isn't very healthy?  This recipe changes all that without sacrificing any of the flavor, sweetness or peanut buttery goodness. By using all whole grains, chia seeds, coconut oil instead of butter, and pure maple syrup instead of sugar, this cookie is high in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, while also being vegan and insanely yummy.  For fun and because I still have a lot of Halloween candy left over, I topped a dozen of the cookies with small pieces of Snicker's candy bars: a sure way to make my kids think they are getting a special treat.  And although these cookies taste like dessert, they are more than healthy enough to serve for breakfast, as I did for my kids today.  If only they knew how lucky they are!

Halloween Bake Sale Treats

Halloween Bake Sale Treats

It is bake sale season again and this fall for my daughter's Harvest Festival at preschool I have decided to make a favorite from last Easter, decorated this time for Halloween.  These treats are super simple and easy to make and yet full of healthy ingredients.  And according to my super picky daughter, "the best things ever!"  Obviously using the dark chocolate would be the healthier choice, for unlike the white chocolate which is basically just sugar and milk fat, the dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and low in sugar.  But my son loves white chocolate and these treats are kind of pretty that way, so this time around I decided to make some of each (made a recipe and a half). They take about half an hour to assemble and then need to refrigerate for awhile to harden, but if kept refrigerated they will last for days, provided you don't gobble them up first.  I made 24 mini cookies for the bake sale and put the left overs in mini cake pans for us to eat and in less than 24 hours they are all gone. Delicious and fun!