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Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies

May 6, 2013


Everyone has those foods that make them happy, right?  I’ve had kind of a crummy weekend.  I seem to be perpetually sick this year and as soon as the weather got warm, I started coming down with some sort of cold.  I fell asleep around 9 pm on Friday but tried to have a fun time on Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday I went to a Red Wings game and Sunday I got my garden started, but once Sunday night hit, I was feeling like I just should never have gotten out of bed.  After eating piles of green veggies and vitamin C, I just wanted something comforting.  Not necessarily good-for-me, but a food that would make me happy.

cookie-plate-vertical

I have a suspicion that almost everyone will agree with me when I say that chocolate chip cookies are comforting.  They’re usually full of butter, refined flours, and (if you buy them at the grocery store) full of who knows what kind of preservatives.  I wanted to make a cookie that would give me that childlike happiness without making me feel crummy afterward (please, laugh at my pun!  I’m sick :().  These cookies are everything I love: a little crunchy on the bottom and soft in the middle.

cookie-bite

I used Earth Balance Coconut Spread making these, but equal amounts of butter, margarine, or coconut butter/oil should all work fine.  Has anyone else tried this Coconut Spread?  I thought it sounded good so I grabbed it last time I was at the store, but then I immediately had no idea what to do with it.  It doesn’t have a strong coconut flavor, I actually think it tastes like very slightly coconut flavored butter.  Suggestions welcome!  I also used a mix of whole wheat pastry flour and oat flour because oat flour helps make a soft cookie and adds a nice texture and flavor. Feel free to use 100% of either kind of flour, the cookies should still turn out fine.

cookie-dunk

Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 18 Cookies
 

Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp coconut spread (butter, margarine, coconut butter or coconut oil are fine)
  • ¼ c sugar
  • ¼ c brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
  • ⅔ c whole wheat pastry flour
  • ½ c oat flour
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ⅓ c chocolate chips
  • ¼ c pecans or other nut (optional)

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375° and prepare a baking sheet with nonstick spray or parchment paper.
  2. Using a mixer, combine coconut spread with sugars, they may be a little crumby.
  3. Add vanilla and milk, mix until well combined.
  4. Add flours, salt and baking soda. Mix by hand until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if using.
  5. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough into cookie sheets.
  6. Bake for ~7 minutes.
  7. Let sit for 5 – 10 minutes before serving (mandatory or the cookies wont stick together well).

Notes
Feel free to experiment with the ratio of flours to get a taste/texture you love. 100% of each flour will still work great. Use 100% oat flour for GF option. As always, different flours are thirstier than others, so add additional milk (1 tbsp at a time) if necessary.

These cookies do NOT have a coconut flavor, the coconut spread or coconut oil just happen to be my preferred fat choice here.

Nutrition Information
Calories: 75 Fat: 3g Carbohydrates: 11g Fiber: 1g Protein: 1g

 

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41 Comments
    Devin Jul 07, 2013

    I have to say that i was disappointed in these cookies. The only liquid is 2 tbsp of milk- no eggs or anything. They were the dryest cookies I’ve ever had. i wouldn’t suggest them.

      Kelly Jul 07, 2013

      You should have also added 2 tbsp of oil (another liquid source) — did you skip that step? It would DRASTICALLY impact the results. There are purposefully no eggs as these are vegan cookies. I’ve made these cookies probably a dozen times, so if you followed exactly I can only reitterate that when baking, particularly with whole wheat flours, you need to pay attention to how the batter FEELS as different brands are thirstier than others (plus swapping out pastry flour, white wheat, or regular/red wheat can also be cause for paying a little more attention).

    Dijon Veggie Couscous - Hidden Fruits and Veggies Jun 22, 2013

    […] Good.  I’ve noticed that my posts have gotten a little sweet heavy lately.  Two kinds of cookies in the last two weeks, muffins, apple pie egg rolls – do you guys even think I eat real food?  […]

    Sheska Jun 07, 2013

    I used coconut oil and instead of pastry flour, whole wheat and instead of oat flour, almond meal! Turned out great!

      Kelly Jun 07, 2013

      glad they turned out! almond meal sounds lovely.

    Looking FANCY Jun 03, 2013

    Coolest recipe ever, tasty and whole grain!

    madscar Jun 03, 2013

    Uauuu this is amazing! Love it! Thanks for recipe 🙂

    Reeni May 09, 2013

    Definitely one of the top comfort foods! I love how you made them healthier! They are so soft and puffy looking. Hope you’re feeling better!

    Becky @ Olives n Wine May 09, 2013

    Can I just say that these are the prettiest, puffiest cookies I’ve ever seen??! Way to go! And I just purchased a bag of whole wheat flour so these might be making my dessert menu this weekend 🙂

      Kelly May 09, 2013

      Thanks! Makes me so happy to hear that 🙂

    Aimee @ ShugarySweets May 09, 2013

    I love a good dunking cookie!!!

    sheloveshealthyliving May 08, 2013

    These look way too good to be anywhere near healthy! One order for me please! 😉

    Nanna May 07, 2013

    These look splendid- bummer I’m stuck in the library and can’t find myself a cookie 🙁 Thanks for sharing the recipe- I look forward to giving it a go!

      Kelly May 08, 2013

      Thanks! Libraries are hard places to find cookies 😉

    Erin @ Texanerin Baking May 07, 2013

    Oh no. Sorry that you weren’t feeling well! I hope you’re all recovered and that you won’t get sick for the rest of the year (or ever! ;))

    And whole grain chocolate chip cookies?! Oh my gosh. YES! Perfect. 🙂 And love the ingredients list!

      Kelly May 08, 2013

      Thanks Erin!

    Erin @ The Speckled Palate May 06, 2013

    Aww, I’m sorry that you had a crummy weekend, but I’m happy that you made (and then shared) these cookies. They look delightful and like the perfect kind of sweet to bring a smile to your face. And I kind of love that the two of us both shared chocolate chip cookie recipes today. 🙂

      Kelly May 07, 2013

      Great minds think alike, for sure! I think it was just a cookie kind of day 😉

    moderngirlnutrition May 06, 2013

    Oh wow! These look SO good. I love them fresh out of the oven 🙂

    cookingactress May 06, 2013

    chocolate chip cookies make life worth living-these look amazingggg and are made with whole grains too??! whaaa!? awesome!

    Ashley Bee May 06, 2013

    Ohh the coconut mild flavor would be so welcome in chocolate chip cookies I think 🙂

    Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen May 06, 2013

    These look awesome! I’ve never heard of coconut spread. I’ll have to check it out at the grocery store next time!

    marcie@flavorthemoments May 06, 2013

    Sorry to hear you’ve been under the weather. You did the right thing — cookies cheer anyone up! I’ve never heard of coconut spread, but I’ll try anything with coconut in the title. These look dee-licious!

      Kelly May 06, 2013

      It seems to be somewhere in between coconut oil and coconut butter, I think either would work fine.

    Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry May 06, 2013

    When I am sick, I always find myself in the kitchen seeking comfort through the baking. These cookies look practically guilt free!

    sally @ sallys baking addiction May 06, 2013

    When I’m feeling bad about life in general, I turned to chocolate chip cookies! The classic comfort food. But these are even better! I love the use of whole grains and coconut spread.

    Julia May 06, 2013

    I could really use a whole wheat choco cookie to dip in milk right now, being as it is Monday and everything…we all deserve treats on mondays. These look amazing!

      Kelly May 06, 2013

      I totally underestimated the pain of Monday and didn’t bring any cookies to work with me! I guess it’ll just make getting home that much sweeter 🙂

    Em @ Love A Latte May 06, 2013

    I hope you’re feeling better!! I totally can relate – my head feelings like it’s in a bag this morning – horrible allergies going on. Those cookies look fantastic and I would love a few (or a lot) right now! Feel better! 🙂

      Kelly May 06, 2013

      Thanks, Em!

    Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner May 06, 2013

    I love how puffy these cookies look. Cookies make everything better. 😉 Hope you feel better soon.

      Kelly May 06, 2013

      Thanks, Tina!

    cleaneatingveggiegirl May 06, 2013

    These look SO tasty, and I am loving that they can be made vegan. Gotta love vegan desserts :).