You may hear that eating chocolate is good for your health because of compounds call FLAVONOIDS. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help the body repair damaged cells, which may reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic disease.
Types of Chocolate
- Cocoa Powder and Dark Chocolate: they are the least processed, have the highest levels of flavonoids and may offer the greatest potential health benefits.
- Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate: they are not the good sources of flavonoids , therefore, they only offer a little health benefits.
I crave for chocolate once in a while. There is no cookies left in the freezer, I think it is time to make another batch for my son and myself. This recipe is so easy and quick that you can have a batch of healthy cookie done by nap time is over. I use whole wheat flour and rolled oats instead of white flour; dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. These would be perfect for when you are craving for chocolate but still have a healthier cookie.
Enjoy!!
Recipe adapted from fANNEtasticfood.
It is good to know that chocolate contains ingredients beneficial to your health. However, it does not mean you should go ahead and eat more chocolate products. Chocolate candies and bars are often high in calorie, fat and sugar. MODERATION is the key. It is okay to have a small piece of chocolate once in a while, you can choose dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa solids) for its higher flavonoid content.
I was extremely busy for the past two weeks. No time for baking and trying new recipes. Last two weekends were busy on the photography workshop. Also, I am trying to plan a busy weekend for Aiden, we decided  to go swimming every Sunday. He loves to play in the water. This entire week, I attend some free yoga classes like Aerial Yoga and Acro Yoga. I love trying new thing, especially yoga, it allows me to find my own potential.
If you like this recipe, you might also want to try this delicious Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup non-hydrogenated margarine or butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350F
- Grind rolled oats in a food processor. In a small bowl, mix the whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt and oats together until well blended.
- In another large bowl, beat non-hydrogenated margarine with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add olive oil, brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Beat on low speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until well combined. (I just do all this by hand.)
- Once it is mixed, stir in cranberries until well blended. You can also stir in the dark chocolate now but I prefer to add them at the same time when I am forming the cookie dough, I can control how many chocolate chips in one cookie. I made few cookies without chocolate chips for my son.
- Chill for 1 hour.
- Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls (15 mL), about 1 inch apart, onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15 minutes until firm around the edge and golden on top. Make about 30-35 cookies.
- Let cool slightly on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire cooking rack.
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