Healthy, Lovely Raspberry-Chocolate Cookies

These thumbprint cookies taste decadent, yet are made with ingredients that have healthful benefits: Oats, almonds, fruit and chocolate. The thumbprints are versatile as well–use a different type of filling or different extracts to create a completely different cookie.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup whole almonds
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour (see Note)
1/2 cup oat flour (see Note)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup light oil, such as safflower or canola
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup apple juice
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup chocolate chips, preferably bittersweet
2 tablespoons raspberry preserves

1. Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.

2. Process almonds in a blender in 2 batches until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl and add whole-wheat flour, oat flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk oil, maple syrup, apple juice, almond and vanilla extracts in a medium bowl.

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients; stir to combine. Use your hands to knead the dough together; add 1 to 2 tablespoons additional apple juice if the mixture is too crumbly.

4. Form level tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball into a disk, then make an indentation in the center using your thumb or a small spoon. Place a few chocolate chips in each indentation, then cover with 1/4 teaspoon preserves.

5. Bake the cookies, one batch at a time, until golden around the edges, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 24 cookies.

Recipe Notes
Whole-wheat pastry flour is milled from soft wheat. It contains less gluten than regular whole-wheat flour and helps ensure a tender result in delicate baked goods while providing the nutritional benefits of whole grains.

Oat flour, made from finely milled whole oats, is a good source of dietary fiber and whole grains. It can replace a portion of all-purpose flour in many baking recipes and adds an oat flavor and texture.

Recipe Nutrition
Per cookie: 128 calories; 7 g fat (1 g saturated fat, 4g mono unsaturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 14 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 2 g fiber; 71 mg sodium; 26 mg potassium.

Exchanges: 1 carbohydrate serving, 1/2 starch, 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1 1/2 fat.

Visit EatingWell.com for free quick and easy healthy recipe collections!

Read more: All recipes, Desserts, Food, chocolate, cookies, raspberry, vegan

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lynn C.

8:54AM PST on Dec 18, 2011

Maybe this will tempt my parents away from their ordinary cookies. Thanks.

send a green star

Anne F.

12:57PM PST on Dec 17, 2011

Love the idea of chocolate chips under the jam! Thanks

Jennifer C.

12:50AM PDT on Aug 25, 2011

The recipe sounds good. Love it. Thanks for sharing.

Laura M.

7:20PM PST on Mar 5, 2011

Om nom nom!!!

Susan J.

12:38PM PST on Dec 18, 2010

Mmmmm... Yummy! This is a combination of some of my favorite ingredients!

Jane K.

1:49PM PST on Dec 14, 2010

they sound delish...I can't wait to make them

Leanne T.

12:17PM PST on Jan 28, 2010

I can't wait to make these! Thank you!

Sara C.

10:53PM PST on Jan 27, 2010

i have made these cookies 3 times since i read this recipe- including a batch for my husband to take to work. and my 2 year old loves them. they are soooo delicious. with a healthy twist.

Natalia P.

3:33AM PST on Jan 20, 2010

it looks nice

Maria H.

9:28PM PST on Dec 21, 2009

These sound great, and they look adorable- perfect for gifting!