Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies {Healthy, Whole Wheat}

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

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

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 chocolate chip cookies 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 ¼ cup mini holiday  M & M's!  No one will miss all that processed sugar and added junk.

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? They still taste se delicious. I wouldn't advise eating something gross just because it might be healthier. 

Yes, 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. And if you are looking for some more healthy cookie recipes, try these Chocolate Brownie Cookies, Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookies, Iced Sugar Cookies or these Gingerbread Chocolate Sandwich Cookies. All would be even better with some Apple Chai Latte, Chamomile Latte or Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate.

Or if you are feeling festive and looking for a fun cocktail, try this Mulled Wine, Cranberry Mojitos or some Spiked Apple Cider!

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Why You Should Make These Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

These chocolate chip cookies are lightened up and made with all easy to find, wholesome ingredients. It's always good to have some healthier options, especially during the holidays.

These cookies are so simple to make.  I love all of the pretty decorated cut out cookies and fancy cakes and bars, but sometimes you just need simple, (healthy), classic cookies.  

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.

Don't you love when you can make your holiday cookies in advance and then freeze for later? These chocolate chip cookies are so freezer friendly which saves lots of time.

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Recipe Ingredients

• Whole wheat pastry flour -  I love using this flour in my baked goods and treats for a lighter product.
• Oats - Oats- Quick oats work best in overnight oats because of the texture. You can use whatever oats you have in your house and see what you personally like best.
• Flaxseed - This adds lots of heart-healthy fiber to your baked goods.
• Unsweetened applesauce - Use the unsweetened applesauce since it's already naturally sweet. There are so many unnecessary sugars in the other kind.
• Unrefined sugar - This can be whatever sugar you have in the house. I like to use unrefined sugar because it's minimally processed and contains some nutrients. You can use maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, or even try a sugar free alternative such as Monk fruit.
• Coconut oil - Is a plant based oil and is filled with healthy fats. I use refined coconut oil which has very little coconut taste (Yes, I know it's not a popular opinion but I don't like the taste of coconut!) The only issue is that refined coconut oil has less antioxidants and vitamins than the virgin coconut oil (as well as a higher smoke points which is good to remember for baked goods) so if you like the taste of coconut, then you can easily use virgin coconut oil.
• Vanilla extract -  I use pure vanilla extract which doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or additives, it’s just pure vanilla made from alcohol. I use this one.
• Chocolate chips - I used sugar Free Chocolate Chips. Please read the ingredients for your sugar free chocolate chips. Many of them contain large amounts of sugar alcohols which can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. I use these sugar free chocolate chips all the time.
• Holiday M & M's - These holiday M & M's just make everything more fun and festive!

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Recipe Tips

If you re really into chocolate, go ahead and add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.

Baking times will vary based on your oven you are using. After 12 minutes check the cookies to see that the edges are golden brown and the middle of the cookies are still soft but mostly set.

Storing these chocolate chip cookies is so easy. You can leave these on the counter in an airtight container for a few days or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also store these cookies in the freezer by placing in an airtight container or wrap in parchment paper and place in a plastic bag for up to 3 months.

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Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

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

4.50 from 2 votes

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Course: brunch, cookie, Dessert, treat, vegetarian

Cuisine: American

Diet: Low Fat

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 cookies

Calories: 113kcal

Author: Lauren Kelly

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
• ▢ ¼ cup mini holiday M & M's

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Place oats in food processor or blender and blend until powdery.
• 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.
• Add chocolate chips and M & M's and stir to combine.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls onto undressed cookie sheet, about 1 inch apart.
• bake for about 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Cook on cookie sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack until completely cooled.

Notes

To store in the refrigerator: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container and store for up to 5 days.

To store in the freezer: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container or wrap in parchment paper and place in a plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

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