As the winter winds begin to blow, and the festive season of Christmas draws near, our hearts yearn for something warm, cozy and delicious that not only satiates our taste buds but also aligns with our health goals. This is where our Healthy Hot Chocolate Cookies come into play.
A Christmas Delight
Imagine biting into a cookie that’s crisp on the outside, yet soft and gooey on the inside, filled with the rich, comforting flavors of hot chocolate. Sounds like a dream, right? But wait, there’s more! These cookies aren’t just any regular indulgence; they are packed with wholesome ingredients that make them a healthier choice without compromising on taste.
This Christmas, let’s ditch the store-bought cookies laden with preservatives, and embrace the joy of baking at home. Our easy-to-follow recipe for Healthy Hot Chocolate Cookies will be your secret weapon for impressing your loved ones during the holiday festivities.
So, put on your favorite Christmas tunes, pull out your baking trays and get ready to fill your home with the irresistible aroma of these heavenly healthy treats. Stay tuned as we dive into the world of guilt-free indulgence and unveil the recipe for these irresistible Healthy Hot Chocolate Cookies.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Cookies
Indulge in the delightful richness of our Hot Chocolate Cookie recipe, a perfect blend of healthy and decadent ingredients. This recipe offers a guilt-free treat that doesn’t compromise on taste, ideal for those embracing a balanced lifestyle without giving up on their sweet tooth.
Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need a quarter cup of light butter, softened for easy blending, and an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce to add moisture without the excess fat. To this, add one egg and a teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavors.
Your dry ingredients should include a quarter cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, which gives your cookies that deep chocolaty flavor. Add half a cup of coconut sugar, a natural sweetener that is said to have a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, and one and a half cups of white whole wheat flour for a healthier twist. You’ll also need half a teaspoon each of baking soda and baking powder for the perfect rise.
For the finishing touch, add a quarter cup of mini chocolate chips and an equal amount of chopped marshmallows. These offer delicious bursts of flavor and give the cookies their characteristic hot chocolate appeal.
Once you have all your ingredients ready, start by combining the butter, applesauce, egg and vanilla extract in one bowl. In another bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Gradually stir the wet ingredients into the dry ones until a unified dough forms. Now fold in the chocolate chips and marshmallows, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Before you proceed to bake, refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This step is essential as it allows the dough to firm up, leading to cookies that hold their shape better during baking. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
When ready, scoop about one to two tablespoons of cookie dough, roll it into a ball, and flatten it slightly. Place these dough balls on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
This Hot Chocolate Cookie recipe is proof that healthy choices can be delicious too. If you’re on a Nutrisystem plan, you can count each serving as one SmartCarb and three Extras. So go ahead, give this recipe a try and fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of these delightful cookies.
Looking for more holiday treats? You’ll love these healthy Christmas cookie recipes!
Servings: 12
Calories per Serving: 150
On Nutrisystem, Count As: 1 SmartCarb and 3 Extras
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup light butter, softened
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 ½ cups white whole wheat flour
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. baking powder
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup marshmallows, chopped into small pieces
Directions:
- Combine the butter, applesauce, egg and vanilla extract in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, flour, baking soda and baking powder.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and marshmallows.
- Place the cookie dough in the fridge for at least 15-20 minutes.
- In the meantime, preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of cookie dough. Roll it into a ball and flatten it slightly. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool on a wire rack before serving.