Who doesn’t love warm, freshly baked cookies? They are the ultimate comfort food – soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. While cookies may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of healthy snacks, they can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. In this article, we’ll share with you some simple cookie recipes that you can try at home, along with their health benefits.
1. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients:
– 1 cup rolled oats
– ¾ cup whole wheat flour
– ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ¼ cup applesauce
– ¼ cup honey
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ½ cup raisins
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the oats, flour, cinnamon, and baking powder.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, applesauce, honey, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, and mix until everything is well combined.
5. Fold in the raisins.
6. Using a cookie scoop or spoons, make balls of dough, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.
8. Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.
Health Benefits:
Oatmeal is a rich source of fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Raisins are also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including iron and potassium.
2. Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter
– ¾ cup coconut sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– A pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the peanut butter, coconut sugar, and egg until well combined.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt.
4. Make balls of dough using a cookie scoop or spoons, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Use a fork to press down on each ball of dough, creating a criss-cross pattern on top of the cookies.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.
7. Allow the cookies to cool before removing them from the baking sheet.
Health Benefits:
Peanut butter is a good source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. It also contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium.
3. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ¾ cup brown sugar
– ½ cup white sugar
– 2 eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and beat until well combined.
5. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, and mix until the dough comes together.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Using a cookie scoop or spoons, drop tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.
9. Allow the cookies to cool before serving.
Health Benefits:
Dark chocolate (which is often used in chocolate chip cookies) contains antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, it is important to consume chocolate in moderation, as it also contains sugar and fat.
FAQs:
1. Can I substitute ingredients in the recipes?
Yes, you can experiment with different ingredients to suit your taste preferences or dietary requirements. For example, you can use almond butter instead of peanut butter in the peanut butter cookies, or swap out the chocolate chips for dried fruit or nuts in the chocolate chip cookies.
2. How should I store the cookies?
After the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the cookies for up to 3 months.
3. Can I make the cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free flour instead of wheat flour in the oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookie recipes. Be sure to also check that any other ingredients you use are gluten-free.
In conclusion, cookies can be a tasty and enjoyable treat when consumed in moderation. With these simple recipes, you can bake up a batch of bliss that is both delicious and nutritious. Happy baking!