Cookies can be healthy too, all you have to know is what to put in them. This article takes you through some recipes for healthy cookies made from scratch.
There is no need to rush to a store every time you have a craving for cookies. You can make cookies at home from scratch using ingredients that are easily available in any food store. These recipes are not only simple to follow, but are also healthy, and very tasty.
Almond and Honey Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup almonds (chopped)
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup butter or margarine (softened)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- A pinch of salt
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
Sift the flour in a large mixing bowl. Now, mix the baking soda and salt with the flour. In a smaller bowl, separate the egg white, and add honey, softened butter (or margarine), sugar, and vegetable oil, and blend until combined. Pour this mixture into the larger bowl containing flour, and whisk the ingredients together with a flat spoon or spatula until a sticky dough is formed. Coat your hands with cooking spray so that the dough doesn’t stick to your fingers. Divide the dough in half, and shape each half into a roll about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each roll with butter paper. Place these rolls in a refrigerator for about 3 hours till they become firm. Cut the rolls in ⅛ inch slices, and place them in a greased baking tray. Bake these cookies in a preheated oven at about 375 ºF for about 10 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and place the cookies on a wire rack to cool them.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1½ cups unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1½ cups walnuts (toasted)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 ºF. Take a large bowl and sift the all-purpose flour with the baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, add the eggs, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar and mix with a blender. Transfer the contents to the large bowl, and mix with oatmeal, chocolate chips, and toasted walnuts, until combined. With a spoon, scoop the dough and drop it on a cookie tray lined with parchment paper. Flatten the top with your hand or a spatula. Bake it in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, until light brown. Enjoy these cookies with a cup of milk.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 3½ tablespoons orange juice
- ½ cup lightly packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Instructions:
Whisk the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and white sugar, along with the eggs, vanilla, and orange juice until everything is combined thoroughly and a creamy mixture is formed. Stir in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda, and mix properly to avoid lumps. Add the chocolate chips and continue stirring. Now, with an ice cream scooper, drop the dough on the greased cookie tray. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at about 350 ºF for 15 minutes till the cookies turn brown at the edges. Remove them from the oven and let them cool down.
You can also use cookie cutters to shape the cookies and make them look more attractive. Enjoy these as a healthy dessert whenever you like.
