Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Without the Guilt: Delicious Low Calorie Cookie Recipes
Introduction
It’s a common conundrum – you love cookies, but you can’t have them because they’re laden with calories and sugar that could hinder your health goals. However, it doesn’t mean you should miss out on enjoying the delicious taste of freshly baked cookies. By incorporating some smart ingredient choices and simple techniques, you can create delightful low-calorie cookie recipes that allow you to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling guilty. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
1. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (260 calories per serving)
Ingredients:
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking soda
– ¼ tsp salt
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ¾ cup packed brown sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
– ½ cup raisins (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla extract, mix well.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Stir in oats and raisins (optional) until evenly distributed.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned at the edges. Allow cookies to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to completely cool down.
2. Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies (130 calories per serving)
Ingredients:
– ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ½ cup packed brown sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– ¾ cup whole wheat flour
– 1 tsp baking soda
– ¼ tsp salt
– ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
– ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick silicone mat.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (optional).
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Drop 1 tablespoon of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cookies for spreading during baking. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden around the edges but still soft in the center. Allow cookies to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to completely cool down.
3. Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies (120 calories per serving)
Ingredients:
– ¾ cup all-purpose flour
– ¼ tsp baking powder
– ¼ tsp salt
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ⅓ cup granulated sugar
– 2 large egg whites
– 1 tsp lemon zest
– 1 tbsp poppy seeds
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick silicone mat.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3. In another large bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Gradually add sugar and mix well. Add egg whites and lemon zest, beating until light and creamy.
4. Fold in the poppy seeds into the wet mixture. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
5. Drop 2 tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies about 1 inch apart for spreading during baking. Bake for 13-16 minutes or until lightly browned on the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cookies to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to completely cool down.
4. Whole Grain Peanut Butter Cookies (85 calories per serving)
Ingredients:
– ¾ cup whole wheat flour
– ¼ tsp baking soda
– ½ tsp baking powder
– ¼ tsp salt
– ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
– ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
– 1 large egg
– 2 tbsp honey or agave nectar
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick silicone mat.
2. In a medium bowl, combine whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3. In another large bowl, beat butter and peanut butter until well combined. Add brown sugar, egg, honey, and agave nectar, mixing well.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
5. Drop 1 tablespoon of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart for spreading during baking. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned on the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cookies to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to completely cool down.
5. Raspberry White Chocolate Cookies (140 calories per serving)
Ingredients:
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– ¼ tsp baking soda
– ½ tsp baking powder
– ¼ tsp salt
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ⅓ cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
– ½ cup white chocolate chips
– ¾ cup fresh raspberries, chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick silicone mat.
2. In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3. In another large bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Add sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest (optional), beating well.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Stir in white chocolate chips and chopped raspberries until evenly distributed.
5. Drop 1 tablespoon of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart for spreading during baking. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Allow cookies to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to completely cool down.
Conclusion
With these low calorie cookie recipes, you can satisfy your sweet tooth cravings without feeling guilty about indulging in something delicious and decadent. By incorporating wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, oats, and natural sugars while avoiding excess butter or sugar, you’ll have a range of options to choose from whenever you want to treat yourself. Enjoy these guilt-free treats that are sure to please your taste buds.