Last night the baking bug bit again. It happens every time it snows. I like to say that having the oven on keeps the house warm and fresh cookies soothe the soul. I’m baking for the greater good. You all know that I’m a supreme baker…great at following recipes. Yeah right! I consider myself more of an improv baker. I experiment with sweet ingredients and hope for the best. It’s a hit or miss technique, but this recipe is a HIT!
It all started when I realized I had some canned pumpkin to use up. I turned to the internet for a recipe and stumbled upon this recipe from Whole Foods. Their Pumpkin Pecan Cookies looked perfect, but I was missing some ingredients. Instead of scratching the recipe, I used it as inspiration for some deliciousness of my own.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bites
approx. 32 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 c. chopped walnuts
- 1/2 c. rolled oats
- 1 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 2 T. ground flaxseed
- 1 c. canned pumpkin
- 1/4 c. pure maple syrup
- plenty of chocolate chips!
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- In a food processor, combine walnuts and oats and pulse until a fine meal forms.
- Add flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice to the food processor. Continue to pulse until all ingredients are combined.
- Transfer contents of food processor into a large bowl. Add pumpkin, maple syrup, and flaxseed and mix until a wet batter forms.
- Fold *insert your amount here* chocolate chips into the batter.
- Once batter is prepared, scoop little heaps (about 1 T. each) onto a cookie sheet and flatten slightly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms brown.
- Cool and devour savor!
Yum! These cookies are moist and chewy with rich dark chocolate in every glorious bite. “SUCCESS!” I proclaimed. My parents concurred as they enjoyed their after dinner treats. Lucy hopelessly waited for a crumb to drop.
“Please, Mom. I’m sitting like a good girl.” Alas, chocolate is not good for puggles. These are only for humans and they are eating ‘em up! The supply is dwindling rapidly.
These were perfect pre-run fuel before my five miler today. They are a great snack made with simple, healthy ingredients. Just for fun, I calculated the nutrition stats for these little bites.
Amounts Per Serving (one cookie)
- Calories – 80
- Total Fat – 4.5 g (mostly from the walnuts – that’s good for you fat!)
- Total Carbohydrates – 10.7 g
- Protein – 1.4 g
Not too shabby!
Do you ever bake with healthy ingredients? I will be the first to admit, I love rich, indulgent desserts. When I go out, I am a big fan of the dessert menu, but I also enjoy making healthy cookies, bars, and breads that can be eaten as nutritious snacks.
