Chocolate Chunk and Nut Cookies
These chocolate chunk and nut cookies are simply irresistible eaten while still warm, when the chocolate chunks are soft and melting. Macadamia nuts add a crunchy texture, but can be omitted if you prefer. Like the chocolate, the nuts should be in large pieces.
Source: Cook Smart for a Healthy Heart, Reader’s Digest Canada
| Servings | Prep Time | Cook Time |
| 12cookies | 15minutes | 15minutes |
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 12cookies | 15minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 15minutes |
- 1/2 cup reduced-salt margarine
- 1/3 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg beaten
- 2/3 cup white self-raising flour
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat all-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 120 g good-quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids), roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup macadamia nuts roughly chopped
- 4 tbsp low-fat milk
|
Ingredients
Servings: cookies
Units:
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- Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the margarine, sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat well.
- Sift the self-raising and all-purpose flours, cocoa powder and baking powder over the creamed mixture, and stir to combine thoroughly. Add the chocolate, nuts and milk, and mix together.
- Place tablespoonfuls of the mixture on the baking sheets, arranging them well apart so they have space to spread during baking. Flatten slightly with the back of a fork, then bake for about 15 minutes or until soft and springy.
- Leave the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve them while still slightly warm or leave until cold. They can be kept in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Chocolate chunk and nut cookies variations:
*Use walnuts or pecans instead of macadamia nuts.
*For cherry and almond cookies, use white all-purpose flour instead of the cocoa powder, and substitute 60 g dried sour cherries and 60 g flaked almonds for the chocolate chunks and macadamia nuts. If you want a pronounced almond flavour, use 1⁄4 teaspoon almond extract instead of vanilla extract.
Per cookie: 235 calories, 3 g protein, 15 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, 19 mg cholesterol, 23 g total carbohydrate, 12 g sugars, 1 g fibre, 127 mg sodium
Plain chocolate is a good source of copper and provides useful amounts of iron. The scientific name of the cocoa bean tree is Theobroma cacao, which means “food of the gods.” Casanova was reputed to drink hot chocolate before his nightly conquests—in fact, he was said to prefer chocolate to champagne.
