Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies {Healthy, Whole Wheat}

These cookies are healthier than your typical chocolate chip cookies, so fun and festive and are pretty enough to give as gifts!

I am on my never ending quest to try to maintain balance during the holidays.  It’s not easy.  

I know you all can relate.  If you are like me you tend to eat more than normal (whether out of stress or lack of time to prepare meals and snacks).  

I love to make these classic holiday cookies healthier than the ordinary kind.  These are made with whole wheat flour, unrefined sugar, oats and flax seed.  

And because we need a little fun (I mean, it IS the holidays!) I added just 1/4 cup mini holiday  M & M’s!  

No one will miss all that processed sugar and added junk. Promise.

And by no means am I saying you shouldn’t enjoy sugary treats during the holidays, I just mean that if you can find ways to reduce the sugar and junk, why not?

I mean, they sell taste delicious. I wouldn’t advise eating something gross just because it might be healthier. 

I love food so much and I always want it to taste delicious.

And side note: I do not care how healthy something is, if it does not taste good to me there is zero chance I will eat it. Fish and seafood are a perfect example of that.

Not. A. Chance.

But that’s just me being picky. Fish is wonderfully healthy, low fat and filled with protein and nutritious omega fatty acids which I am completely aware of.

Still—- not a chance.

Ok, back to these cookies. I think you understand what I am trying to say.

4.5 from 2 votes

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Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

Servings 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• ¾ cup oats
• ½ cup ground flaxseed
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup unrefined sugar
• ¼ cup coconut oil softened
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup mini holiday M & M's

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place oats in food processor or blender and blend until powdery.
3. Pour into a medium size bowl and add flour, flaxseed, baking soda, baking powder, salt and beat with electric mixer until combined. Add applesauce, sugar , coconut oil and vanilla extract while continuing to beat with the electric mixer.
4. Add chocolate chips and M & M's and stir to combine.
5. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto undressed cookie sheet, about 1 inch apart.
6. bake for about 12-5 minutes until golden brown. Cook on cookie sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack until completely cooled.

See how easy these are?  I love all of the pretty decorated cut out cookies and fancy cakes and bars, but sometimes you just need simple, (healthy), classic cookies.  

At least I do!

The applesauce adds moisture to all of the dry ingredients and coconut oil makes a perfect plant based substitute for butter. Go ahead and use butter if you want or if that’s all you have in your house.

I promise it will still be insanely delicious, just make it easier on your self.

Or even better try it both ways and let me know which way you like better. I love doing that because it is an excuse to bake (and eat) more!

What is your favorite holiday cookie?  I am happy to share my favorite with you!

I do always appreciate new recipes so please send your favorites my way. I already bake tons of cookies for the holidays so why not add some more?

If you made these cookies or any of my other recipes, please feel free to come back and let me know. You guys know that I love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by!