Meal Prep Sundays: Dark Chocolate (Slight) Cheat Cookies

Let's face it. A HUGE guilty pleasure for adults (and kidos) is Chocolate Chip Cookies. Unfortunately, pounding down chocolate chip cookies has a few drawbacks that can be not so great for the waistline. Cue the "Slight Cheat" Cookies (perfect for the holidays). By grinding the almonds and oats into a meal these cookies get the kick of nutty flavor. Also by using Dark Chocolate Chips there is an added benefit of antioxidants. We have the word 'cheat' in this recipe for a reason! Be sure to share with as many family and friends as possible!

Dark Chocolate "Slight Cheat" Cookies

¾ cup unsalted raw almonds

1 cup rolled oats (you'll add to food processor with almonds)

1 cup whole wheat flour

¾ tsp baking soda

¾ tsp baking powder

1 stick salted butter, softened

¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 ½ cup dark chocolate chips

Yields about 32 cookies.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Put the almonds and rolled oats in a food processor and pulse the mixture until the texture resembles fine bread crumbs. Put almonds and oats into a medium bowl and add whole wheat flour, baking soda and baking powder. Blend together.

Blend butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar with electric mixture until light and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and continue to beat. Beat the mixture until it is slightly whipped (it makes the cookies less dense).

Add dry mixture to butter mixture and beat until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Using a tablespoon spoon the cookie dough on the arranged baking sheet. Bake the cookies until they turn golden for about 11 minutes.

Place on wire racks to fully cool, if you can wait that long!

Store in air tight container, or in the freezer, to maintain freshness and not feel the pressure to consume all your fresh cookies at once!

Now for the nutritional info€¦ Remember they are slight cheat cookies, "semi-good" for you if you will! These are for sharing with friends and family, and you can feel good they aren't a complete unhealthy sugar bomb!

Per Cookie

Calories- 112

Total Fat- 6 g

Sodium- 56 g

Total Carb- 13.7 g

Fiber- 0.7 g

Sugar 8.0 g

Protein- 2 g