oatmeal dark chocolate chip cookies (with flax!)

after an extremely long week, i wanted to make a comforting-yet-healthy treat to compensate for the half dozen mini-cupcakes, white wine, and pizza i've consumed recently. i went straight to a crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside cookie with dark chocolate chips (delicious & healthier than the milk version), oatmeal and my secret ingredient - flax.

now that i have you hooked, let's talk about flax. this stuff is one of those hippy foods that i never thought i would have in my kitchen, much less try to somehow pack into everything i eat. seriously - a substitute for bread crumbs, sprinkled in oatmeal and yogurt, it can even be used as an egg substitute! its got omega 3s (lowers cholesterol & blood pressure), works as an antioxidant and has tons of fiber. it's win-win - promise. you can get a big bag at trader joe's for a few dollars. you won't regret it!

these cookies came together super quickly in just a few steps. you can totally adjust the spices to your liking with these, which makes the recipe a great and healthy base that you should keep in your back pocket. a crucial part of this recipe is using sea salt, which i think adds oomph to anything with chocolate - especially cookies.

i used brown sugar in these because, well, i think it's like sugar - but better. i went light brown, but you could totally use dark brown and up the molasses-factor. (side note: this is a half batch that made around 15, so if you do a full batch prepare for about double this size!).

whenever trying a new cookie recipe i like to bake them at different times and with different strategies (i.e. chilling, flattening, etc.) to see what works best with the dough. these i baked in rounded 2 teaspoon portions and in 9 minutes they turned into this gorgeous golden brown. i like mine a little crispier, so i would probably go 10 minutes next time.

these cookies are delicious, wholesome, and for around 90 calories a pop they are a caloric bargain.

onto the recipe!

oatmeal dark chocolate chip cookies (with flax meal!)

makes about 30 cookies
adapted from the nourish network

ingredients:

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4 ounces butter, softened
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

directions:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

2. in a medium bowl whisk together flour, flax, oats, baking soda, spices and salt.

3. cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. add egg and vanilla and combine.

4. add dry ingredients 1/2 cup at a time until incorporated but not over-mixed. stir in chocolate chips.

5. drop rounded scoops onto a lined cookie sheet and bake for 9-10 minutes.

nutritional information:


calories: 90, fat: 5g, cholesterol: 12mg, sodium: 39mg, carbs: 11.24g, fiber: 1g, sugar: 7.8g, protein: 1.15g.


thank you for reading & happy baking!


amanda