I based these cookies off the recipe for my Healthiest Cookies Ever, which remind me of my childhood favorite “soft batch” cookies, and since they’ve been such a hit with everyone who tries them, I figured a chocolate variation was in order. For this version, I added a hefty dose of cocoa powder, and used pecans instead of walnuts for a more mild flavor.
(I tested this recipe with walnuts, as you can see from these photos, but I found their flavor overwhelmed the cookie, so I couldn’t taste the chocolate as much– keep this in mind if you plan on making substitutions!)
How to Make Date-Sweetened Cookies
When using dates as a natural sweetener, you’ll need a machine that can break them down, and I find that a food processor does that best. (I’m using this one.) Narrow blender jars tend to need more water to keep the dates moving, and that can cause the motor to give off a burning smell. In a pinch, you could probably finely chop the nuts and dates on a cutting board, and then mix them together with your hands for a chunkier cookie.
If you want a 100% naturally sweetened cookie, you can leave out the optional dark chocolate chips, but I love adding something extra for texture here, so I’ll usually throw them in for a “double” chocolate flavor that’s reminiscent of a brownie. Some refined-sugar-free add-ins would be:
cacao nibs extra chopped nuts dried fruit, like raisins (look for no added sugar on the label) shredded unsweetened coconut rolled oats
Feel free to experiment, and let me know in the comments below if you try something that you love.
Vegan Double Chocolate Cookies
I keep these cookies egg-free by using a flax egg, which is simply ground flax (or chia seeds) stirred together with water. These two ingredients will gel together within a few minutes, creating a gooey vegan “egg.”
If you’re not vegan, feel free to use a chicken egg in its place. (Omit the water and flax seed in this case.) When making cookies in a food processor, be careful not to over-process them. If you process nuts too long, they will release their natural oils, making for a very oily, greasy cookie dough. The cookies will still bake fine, but they will be a little more messy to work with.
These cookies will not spread the way a cookie made with egg would, so you’ll need to use your fingers to press them down into a cookie shape before baking. They will look very similar when baked, but drier.
I hope you’ll enjoy this healthy cookie recipe the next time a chocolate craving strikes!
Recipe Notes:
As I mentioned above, feel free to make substitutions as you like, but keep in mind that different nuts and seeds will change the flavor of these cookies. I liked the pecan flavor best, but if you love walnuts or almonds, feel free to use those instead. I find that buttery nuts, like walnuts and pecans, are easiest to break down in the food processor, though. If you don’t have access to dates, another dried fruit, like raisins, may work.
As always, please leave any substitutions you try in the comments below, so that we can all benefit from your experience! — Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite type of cookie?
