Healthy Chocolate Cookies (Made with Cocoa Powder)

Why These Cookies are Loved by All

These healthy chocolate cookies are a classic. From the first time I made these, my kids, my husband and the neighbors all wanted more. And there are some very good reasons why these cookies are loved by all.

For one thing, they are chocolate. Enough said.

But beyond that, there is just something about these particular chocolate cookies that is addicting. They are light, yet fudgy. Simple, yet flavorful. Sweet, yet healthy. The cocoa taste and light texture of these cookies are truly unique and appealing.

Besides the winning taste that is an obvious hit with the kids, the health aspect of these cookies is a hit with the parents. No worries over processed sugar consumption with this treat. Using only date puree as a sweetener, these cookies will not contribute to your children’s refined-sugar intake. What parent doesn’t love that?

Another thing that makes these chocolate cookies so amazing is the fact that they can be used for so many purposes. For starters, these go great with a simple glass of milk. But if you want to get a little more fancy, use these cookies to make Chocolate Cookie Sandwiches or as a base or topper for an Ice Cream Sundae.

These incredibly versatile cookies are also great for crumbling and using as coating for Chocolate Cheesecake Energy Balls or as a Chocolate Pie Crust.

There are truly so many things you can do with these cookies. But even if all you do is pull them out of the oven and put them on a plate, they will instantly be one of your kids’ favorite cookies. And that’s why they are just plain awesome.

What You Can Use These Cookies for

I already mentioned some of the different treats you can make with these cookies. But there are also a lot of different occasions for which these chocolate cookies would be perfect.

Breakfast. These cookies make a nice on-the-go breakfast because they are not messy and you can quickly throw a couple in a baggy to send out the door with your child. (And yes, I totally give my kids chocolate cookies for breakfast – especially since they are much healthier than most breakfast options from the store).

After-school snack. I don’t know about you, but my daughter expects a little something special to eat every day when she gets home from school – and so do her friends when they come over. These cookies are one of the simplest, easiest ways to provide a healthy treat to refresh their energy after a day of learning.

Parties. Whatever the holiday or event, these cocoa cookies are a super simple but delicious treat to bring to the food table.

Holiday Desserts. You could easily shape these chocolatey cookies into various simple shapes or add a touch of color on top to match any holiday. Add them to your Christmas treat list or your Valentine’s dessert menu and your kids will thank you.

Bribes. Okay, this might not be in the official parenting handbook, but we all know that bribery is, on occasion, a necessary means to getting our children to do something without a fight. For example, getting a stubborn toddler into his or her car seat to go to an appointment. Healthy chocolate cookie reward? Battle over.

These cookies really are a classic. They are delicious, chocolatey, healthy, processed-sugar-free – what more could a child or parent ask for?

Ingredients

• Date Paste: Dates are one of my favorite ways to naturally sweeten treats. Full of health benefits and perfectly sweet, they make the perfect sugar substitute in pureed form. Use my homemade date paste recipe or purchase date paste on Amazon or from Middle Eastern grocery stores. Store-bought is thicker than homemade and may need to be boiled or mixed with a little hot water to loosen and moisten it.

• Butter: Butter is a key ingredient in baked goods because it helps to prevent them from becoming dense or dry. I usually use organic or Irish grass-fed butter.

• Egg: Eggs add a bit of protein for nutrition and they are essential for binding the ingredients together. Any eggs will work, but I prefer to use farm-fresh eggs when available. Otherwise, I use organic and/or cage-free eggs.

• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds to and enhances flavor. Make sure you have pure vanilla extract and not a copycat, artificial vanilla.

• Flour: I use organic, unbleached flour, but any all-purpose flour will work.

• Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is the primary flavoring ingredient in these cocoa cookies. I often use cacao powder in lieu of cocoa powder Either cocoa powder or cacao powder will work just as well.

• Baking Powder: Just a smidge of baking powder – preferably aluminum-free baking powder – gives the cookies the slightest rise.

• Salt: Salt helps to enhance the incredible flavor in these chocolatey cookies.

• Collagen Powder: Optional collagen adds a little protein to the cookie along with many other health benefits of collagen. I love the Mama Natural collagen powder because it features six different types of collagen. That is more than most other collagen brands can boast.

Instructions

Step 1

Make the date paste. If you do not know how to make date paste, don’t worry. It’s extremely easy! Make my no-fail date paste recipe ahead of time to keep in the fridge for easy use on baking days or whip some up quick and easy when you are ready to make the cookies.

Step 2

Mix the softened butter and date paste with an electric hand or stand mixer until fully combined. The mixture will be creamy if your butter is soft and your date paste is cool. If your date paste is still warm from cooking, it might melt the butter and the creamed mixture will be thinner, but this will still work just fine for making the chocolate cookies.

Step 3

Add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well.

Step 5

Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until fully combined.

Step 6

Roll into one-inch balls and flatten onto baking sheets.

Step 7

Bake cookies in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes.

Substitutions & Tips

• Even though making date paste is very easy, if you just don’t have the time, you can buy date paste from Amazon or Middle Eastern grocery stores. This type of date paste is usually quite firm and will require more vigorous mixing or additional liquid to get it to blend into your cookie dough.

• If your cookie dough is too sticky and messy to roll, stick it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before rolling into balls. Alternatively, you can wear gloves to keep the dough from sticking to your hands as much.

• If you want to make these chocolate cookies into extra special chocolate chocolate chip cookies, mix in a batch of homemade chocolate chunks.

• To add some extra protein, you could add some chopped nuts if your kids like nuts. These would be delicious with hazelnuts, walnuts or pecans in them.

• Once baked and cooled, top your cocoa cookies with a frosting or jam to fancy them up and add some additional flavors.