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We wholeheartedly agree that junk food is okay in moderation, but as I’ve said before I think junk food can be broken down into two very different categories… This recipe for whole wheat chocolate chip cookies will show you how traditional junk food still has a place in the meal plan!
Delicious Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Junkfood the way they used to make it, without all of the additives and artificial ingredients! This recipe for whole wheat chocolate chip cookies is a cut above the processed boxed cookies you’ll find at the store. It uses common but super nutritious ingredients and a little sugar to sweeten things up!
Traditional Junk Food vs. Artificial Factory-Made Junk Food
Now if you are a real food junkie like me, and you get a hankering for something sweet, I would much rather you eat something like these homemade cookies as opposed to a bag of Chips Ahoy. Not only would this homemade version taste a great deal better, but they would also be better for you due to the following reasons:
- They are made with mostly whole-wheat flour.
- They don’t contain high-fructose corn syrup or artificial additives.
- They can be made with organic ingredients.
Whole Food Cookies for Your Real Food Journey
Another reason I am posting this recipe is because some who just recently switched to “real food” may not have a good recipe in their files for homemade cookies and cakes. Before our family’s drastic transformation to real food I used to solely rely on Betty Crocker boxed cake mixes for birthday celebrations. When it came time to celebrate the first birthday after our “100 Days of Real Food” pledge I was at a loss for making a homemade cake from scratch.
So this cookie recipe will be the first of a (very small!) series for those of us that want to occasionally indulge in something extra special without having to rely on mass produced food.
So just to be clear this is one of the few recipes on this blog that would not be “approved” during the “10 Days of Real Food” pledge, but this could also be the perfect reward after working hard to successfully complete your pledge. For a healthier option, make these Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Whole-Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies (with sugar!)
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- ½ cup all-purpose flour ((or can use all whole-wheat instead))
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick butter (slightly colder than room temperature)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, mix together the dry ingredients with a hand-held whisk including the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large, separate bowl use an electric mixer to cream the butter. The butter is the KEY ingredient in this recipe and for best results it must be “slightly” colder than room temperature. I usually take my stick of butter out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for a half hour or so before making the cookies. If your butter gets too soft/warm you can alternatively chill the cookie batter after mixing everything together.
- Add the egg, both sugars, and vanilla to butter until well mixed. Scrape sides of bowl as necessary.
- With the electric mixer on low, add the flour mixture (in batches) to the butter mixture.
- With a large spatula stir in the chocolate chips.
- If you have time, and for the very best results, it is recommended that you chill the batter for 10 – 15 minutes before putting the cookies in the oven (even if your butter was the perfect temperature!).
- Put spoonfuls of batter on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 7 – 9 minutes. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack.
Enjoy!
Carrie says
I freeze my cookie dough so I can make a double batch, but then portion the end result! http://moongirl.phanfare.com/5445105 I label my jars/containers with LabelOnce lables. http://www.amazon.com/Jokari-47826-Erasable-Labels-Markers/dp/B002MPH4OG
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Charlotte says
I've been craving cookies, and mentally arguing with myself about whether to make them or not. When I saw this post, my decision was made! I have a huge sweet tooth, which I try not to indulge much. When I do, its usually a DQ blizzard or some other processed treat. Maybe if I made a homemade dessert once a week to look forward to, it would be easier to resist the junk out there. And making cookies with whole wheat flour and my homemade butter just sounds delicious! Thanks a lot! :)
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ALarge says
Do you have a peanut butter cookie recipe?
100 Days of Real Food says
I don't...sorry!
DavetteB says
Applauding your Work!
I've been making our cookies and cakes with white whole wheat flour (and a little white bean flour for protein and fiber) for a while now. I knew it was a success when I made the chocolate chip version for my mother (which means light on chips and high in walnuts) and she said they were perfect, and she is very critical :o) I either use organic sugar or WheyLow (1/4 the calories of regular sugar, but not artificial at least) to save the calories.
Refrigerating the dough makes a difference because it gives the whole wheat time to absorb the liquid so it doesn't have the grainy texture some people complain about.
Now all I need is a good whole grain pie crust recipe :o)
Nicole says
thanks for the comment about refrigeration helping with the grainy texture! that was exactly our problem with the wheat flour cookies last time! (we don't mind them flat) Now I know how to help. :)
Kat says
To print, you can highlight the area you want to print, copy it and paste it on a word document. Then all you have to do is print!
nick says
is there an easy way to print out these recipes without printing out the whole page?
100 Days of Real Food says
I've recently added a "print this recipe" button, but I have to manually go in and add it to all the old recipes. In the meantime it will be on all new recipes...and I hope to get it added to all the others sooner rather than later. Thanks for your patience!
Heather says
palm sugar is an excellent and healthy alternative to any sweetener. A bit expensive but worth it.
Jennifer says
May I suggest checking out Bethenny Frankel's website (she used to be on Real Housewives of NYC)? She has some recipes posted on her site http://www.bethenny.com and she uses real food, and has low fat, vegan, dairy free options as well. I've made her whole wheat banana chocolate chip cookies, and they're very good! Uses mashed bananas to sweeten. Her site is what got me started on lower fat, but still delicious sweet treats!
Stephanie says
Awesome! Thanks! :)
Coralee Coombe says
keep the good job!
BB says
I made these cookies tonight, and they were delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
DC says
We made the cookies as a Sunday treat and are they delicious! Subbed the whole wheat flour with stone ground organic multigrain flour and the sugar with mineral sugar (the natural brown one and not the colored stuff). My 13 yo calls them epic while the nine yo would not mind a couple in her school snack everyday ! The three of us are really inspired by your blog, especially as it coincided with my own change to eating whole grain for all my meals for over two months now. Â Kids are so used to the change that they unconsciously leave processed goodies (that have come as gifts last week) lying there in the ref waiting to be tossed!
Must admit that living in India makes it far easier to have access to whole foods as this is the way we eat anyways...... Refined and processed foods are not typical of our culture and I'm very grateful for that.
Thanks for documenting your experiences and sharing the recipes!
Chrissy says
Made these tonight! Added a teaspoon of cinnamon and a handful of walnuts for some crunch. They were delish! Thanks for the recipe!
Bobbi says
Going to make these tomorrow! Using Coconut Palm Sugar instead of white and brown sugar. And probably coconut oil instead of butter because I am out of butter! lol My mouth is watering!
susan a. says
When I make cookies etc. I use King Arther organic white whole wheat flour which I order from their website. I use raw sugar, because store bought brown sugar is made by adding molassis to white sugar. I also use chocolate chipes from K.A. 'bittersweet' with at least 60% cacao.
You can toss in a handfut of unsweetened coconut and lots of chopped nuts.
Sharon S says
Just took these out of the oven...YUM! I used white whole wheat & organic oat flour. My kids(12 & 14) love them too! Thanks :)
Anne says
Hmm. Well I thought Sugar was a highly processed product.
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes it is, but as I stated above it would be much better to eat a homemade treat like these cookies (that contain sugar) than resort to something with artificial additives like skittles for those special occasional treats!
Erica says
Have you tried "Bev's Chocolate Chip Cookies" from the Eatingwell website? Uses Whole Wheat flour and ground up rolled oats. I have been making these since I moved to "real food". It has sugar and brown sugar, but we make them so rarely that I feel I am justified. We replace the butter with Coconut oil (1 for 1) since my daughter can't have dairy. They are delicious! http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/bevs_chocolate_chip_cookies.html
100 Days of Real Food says
I have not seen that, but might have to try it...thanks!
Liz says
I made a recipe that was almost exactly the eating well recipe (except the one I followed also added an additional egg white) and it came out great - using an oil/butter mix cuts the fat way down thereby cutting the calories almost in half. PS I used my favorite unrefined oil in place of canola
tori says
Thank you so VERY much for sharing all your wisdom and recipes! I have a dear friend of mine who sends me healthy websites she crosses. This is the first one that me AND my family can do that does not seem too overwhelming. I have been almost completely flour and sugar free since February but my family is NOT interested. Your site about eating healthier and cooking your own food is exactly what i have been looking for (but didn't realize it). We loved the whole wheat tortillas and crock pot chicken! Today is my first day on the 10 day challenge! You are such a blessing :)
Tori
LiztheChef says
Have just "discovered" your site and promptly subscribed. Wonderful!
Megan says
I just found your site via Casual Kitchen - I'm so glad I did! Thanks for all the valuable information you've posted (and for organizing it so well so that folks can go back and review the archives)!
Brit says
Thank you for the recipe! We will definitely try these at our next picnic. I have a random question - what are your thoughts on dehydrating your own food (particularly organic fruit)? It seems like this will be cheaper in the long run than buying them, but I just wanted to read your thoughts on it. Thanks!
100 Days of Real Food says
I think dehydrated fruit seems to be a nutritious way to preserve in-season fruit, although I have never done it myself.
Niki says
We love these
http://www.thewannabechef.net/2010/11/15/vegan-hemp-seed-chocolate-chippers/
it is a great way to get some healthy fats into your kids. I use less of the sugar and in it's raw form. You could easily sub. butter if not vegan
Gail Medaris says
I have been making my own cookies, cakes and brownies for a few years and love them! They taste so much better than and packaged or boxed mix!I always use whole wheat flour in my cookies and the last few times I have used half of the sugar that the recipe called for and used honey to replace it! It has worked great. I also always add oats and cranberries to my cookies. Oh, and always dark chocolate chips!
Cécy says
I agree with this. I feel that when you take the time to bake it yourself it's quite fine to use sugar in moderation. I always lower the sugar in the recipe anyway.
Nicola says
I make a similar cookie using all whole wheat flour & rapadura instead of the white sugar. Goes down a treat here.
ChristineMH says
I completely agree with you. If you are going to treat yourself to junk food...make it yourself. My family has been experimenting with better eating for two years now and the level of energy we have is tremendous. You can definitely indulge in a non-processed food cookie, but don't eat the whole batch....I like your idea of making the batch very small, so they are gone after a day or two.
JanaC2 says
Honestly, I don't have a problem with real sugar... my son burns off more calories in an hour than an adult running a marathon so he needs the energy. That being said, I buy organic raw sugar because it forces me to use it wisely (at $1.89/lb I won't be dumping it in everything I made) and think of alternatives such as sweet potato or prune puree, mashed bananas or applesauce. I sneak a lot of nutrient density into my baking and cooking, but feel that anything I make at home is automatically a much better alternative to something in plastic packaging so I don't sweat over the details as much!
Katelyn says
I think most people's problem with sugar isn't the calories consumed, but the lack of nutrients for the calories eaten. I like your ideas of subbing fruit purees as sweeteners. I hope to experiment more with that in my own cooking.
Renee H says
Honey with whole wheat in cookies causes the dough to spread out almost paper thin..... ask me how I know! :)
Katie says
Yay for flexibility!
I'm curious, did you experiment with honey as the sweetener in this recipe?
100 Days of Real Food says
I did not because we are okay with a little bit of sugar every now and then!
Anne says
Honey can also be a good natural substitute for sweetening some homemade baked goods.
Cynthia Strang says
We make these same cookies but use Sucanat in place of all sugar. Works great!!
LauraElle says
What is Suncat?
Cynthia Strang says
Sucanat stands for "Sugar Cane Natural". You can get it at the health food store. We use it one to one in all of our recipes that call for sugar! YUM...
Jenny says
May I also suggest using ALL brown sugar, melting the butter completely, and baking at a lower temperature (about 350F) for the same amount of time?
These methods help adjust for the difference in moisture content when using whole wheat flour & result (in my experience) in a chewier texture. I can't tell the difference between my cookie & the white flour version!
Sweets = my blind spot!
Tami says
We found a SUPER great recipe for Chocolate Syrup http://divinehealthfromtheinsideout.com/2010/10/homemade-chocolate-syrup/comment-page-1/#comment-33482 - delicious! However, my search for "healthy" chocolate chips has been confusing, disappointing. Sunspire makes a "grain sweetened" chip. http://www.sunspire.com/products/grain-sweetened-dark-chocolate-baking-chips What do you think of those?
100 Days of Real Food says
I checked out the chocolate chip link and if it were me I would just use regular chocolate chips in moderation. Sugar is okay on occasion and the grain sweeteners used in those chips are probably also high in calories and low in nutrients (just like sugar). It is okay to have a special treat every now and then! :)
RejoicedOver says
I realize this is an old thread but this might be helpful for others that come this way. Homemade chocolate chips (or butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips) -- http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/homemade-white-chocolate-chips.
Thanks for the chocolate chip cookie recipe. Planning to try it this week.
Paige says
You can substitute sucanat, sugar in the raw, Demerara sugar, etc...but keep inind they are all sugar and should be used in moderation for special occasions. They are no healthier than regular sugar, just less processed.
Chilling the dough will keep it from spreading too thin during baking.
100 Days of Real Food says
You are exactly right! :)
crystal says
What is the reason for chilling the dough for 10 minutes before cooking? Just wondering :) I like to know why/how things work! thanks!
100 Days of Real Food says
It helps the cookies "puff up" and not flatten out during cooking.
Helen Taylor says
what about sugar in the raw? is it ok to substitute or just good marketing?
100 Days of Real Food says
It isn't really that much different than regular sugar so either would be fine! Any sweetener (even honey and maple syrup) should be used in moderation no matter what the package says :)
Anne-Marie A says
i literally just made some chocolate chip cookies for a family vacation. I was hoping to make them more real food friendly but didn't have a good recipe and didn't want to spend time experimenting in case they flopped. at least i'll have a better recipe for next time. my standard recipe has crisco shortening in it and i think butter would be loads better. thank you!
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes get rid of the crisco next time! :)
Alissabeth says
There is also organic palm oil shortening, just FYI.
Amanda says
Michael Pollan says you can eat junk food as long as you make it yourself. (Meaning if you have to go to all that trouble you won't want to do it often) I made some homemade brownies and knew exactly what he was talking about. I had so many dishes from that I decided not to do that often :)