new year's resolution chocolate chip cookies

when food network picked chocolate chip cookies for this week's comfort food feast i had a moment of panic.  you see, my january "goal" is to eat only whole foods...nothing processed.  nothing white (flour, sugar, rice, etc). no dairy.  lots of greens.  you get the idea.  i am doing everything possible to avoid this horrible flu without getting a flu shot (personal choice).  so...regular chocolate chip cookies are out. delicious,healthy, comfort food chocolate chip cookies that meet my goal?  yes, yes, yes!

there are a million recipes for "regular" chocolate chip cookies and i know food network and my fellow food bloggers will provide a number of delicious choices.  i decided to do some experimenting to create another option...a good-for-you option.  now these are not diet or low cal cookies. the calorie content is probably about the same as the traditional kind. but mine contain whole grain flours, less sugar than most recipes...and i used a blend of coconut sugar and organic sugar... a mix of bittersweet and unsweetened chocolate and toasted pine nuts for sweetness and crunch.  (i am a taos girl right now after all!).  a really important part for me is that, wherever possible, i used whole, unprocessed organic ingredients.  i think they taste better, are better for you and reassure me that my food is good for me...and for the planet.  so, if you can, try using organic or sustainably grown items in this recipe.  so worth it...and even better at making the cookies "guilt free".

did you know brown sugar is just processed white sugar with a bit of molasses added?  the molasses adds that caramel taste to traditional chocolate chip cookies.  since there is no brown sugar in this recipe i added 2 tablespoons of organic unsulfured molasses to achieve the taste.  i also used vanilla paste to amp up the vanilla flavor, but you can substitute the liquid version if desired.  i had a number of people "taste test" this recipe without telling them about the ingredients switches.  everyone loved them and no one believed they were the healthy version.  i call that a massive success....  enjoy!

new year's resolution chocolate chip cookies
(makes 40 cookies)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter (or vegan substitute.  i like earth balance brand)
3/4 cup coconut sugar
3/4 cup organic sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla paste (you can substitute liquid vanilla if desired)
2 tbsp molasses
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour*
1 1/4 cup spelt flour
1 tsp baking soda
1  tsp salt
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
2 oz unsweetened chocolate chunks, chopped
1/3 cups pine nuts, toasted

using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes).  add sugars and continue beating until well mixed and fluffy (about 3 minutes).  add eggs one at a time.  add vanilla and molasses and mix for 30 seconds. add flours, baking soda and salt.  mix until just combined (10 seconds).  stir in chocolate chips, chopped chocolate and pine nuts.  press plastic wrap over top of dough and refrigerate (in the mixing bowl) for 2-24 hours. (the longer the better).

after chilling, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat.  scoop 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough onto baking sheet.  (i use an ice cream scoop for perfect sized balls of dough)  if not using ice cream scoop, use 2 spoons to mound into ball shapes.  repeat keeping 2 inches of space between each scoop of dough.  you will have leftover dough after filling the 2 sheets.  bake for 12-15 minutes, or until you see just the edges of each cookie start to turn brown.  mine took exactly 14 minutes.  remove from oven.  allow to cool for 5 minutes on pan, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.  repeat with remaining dough after baking sheets are completely cool.  (notes:  cookies will firm up after cooling.  note #2  adjust your baking times appropriately if making bigger or smaller cookies)

* i love unbleached white whole wheat flour, whole wheat which has been milled from the lightest wheat kernels...so light they are almost white. contains all the fiber and nutrients of regular whole wheat but lighter in color and taste. note...this is not white flour...the color is light brown when baked. i like the king arthur brand*

do you have a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe?  please share or link in the comments section of this post.

it is chocolate chip cookie week at food network's "comfort food feast". check out the other delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends:
Big Girls, Small Kitchen: Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookie Breakfast Bars
Jeanette's Healthy Living: Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Cookies
What's Gaby Cooking: Salted Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
The Lemon Bowl: Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
From My Corner of Saratoga: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Napa Farmhouse 1885: New Year's Resolution Chocolate Chip Cookies
Red or Green?: Tao's Double-Chocolate Chip Cookies
Made By Michelle: The Best Blondies, Ever
Cooking With Elise: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sweet Life Bike: Dulce de Leche Chocolate Chip Cookies
Virtually Homemade: Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
The Cultural Dish: Chocolate Chip Cookie Goodness
Thursday Night Dinner: Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
Dishin & Dishes: Chocolaty Chocolate Chip Cookies
Daily*Dishin: Chocolate Chip and Candied Bacon Cookies With Pecans
Devour:5 Takes on Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
FN Dish: The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

do you have a favorite comfort food recipe you would like featured? feel free to post in the comments section of this post.

best,
diane
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?
california girl in taos

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