Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies have to be THE FAVORITE cookie of all time. The smell of these cookies baking is amazing and their warm gooey center and crisp edge when fresh out of the oven are irresistible!

No wonder Santa has such a round belly.

We all love cookies. All of us. And that's okay. Even if chocolate chip aren't your favorite cookie (mine are oatmeal) you have surely indulged in a chocolate chip from time to time.

Perhaps you drove 5 hours home and you stopped down to see how your grandparent's new puppy was doing (and if they actually picked a name for the little pup) and Grandma just so happened to have fresh baked chocolate chip cookies - you definitely sat down with her to talk about the latest and greatest and before you knew it, you've had at least 2 cookies. Thanks, Grandma!

Nowadays, we are all a little more health conscience and we want to indulge more in the good things in life like broccoli and halibut. That Mediterranean diet is sure sounding good these days. So, cut corners but let yourself indulge in some sugar every now and then. Swap out your regular all-purpose flour for some whole wheat and Smile! Feel good about choosing whole wheat over regular refined. You've already made the switch when it comes to pasta so why not in your baking.

A man named King Arthur makes a lot of great flours and provides many recipes for you to experiment with. So go ahead...have a cookie or two. I won't tell.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

* adapted from King Arthur

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 Tbs. flax seed meal (optional)

1-2 cups chocolate chips (you're favorite kind)

1 cup walnuts (optional)

1. Combine brown and white sugars with the softened butter. Beat until creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, beating for a minute after each. Mix all dry ingredients together in a small bowl and then add all at once to the wet ingredients and mix well. Fold in the chocolate chips/nuts.

Refrigerate or freeze dough for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Looking for another great whole wheat recipe, try this delicious Honey Whole Wheat Pound Cake from Joy the Baker! It's delicious...