Lightened Up Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

As you know I am a cookie lover!  I love trying new kinds but chocolate chip cookies have my heart! They may not be the healthiest thing to eat though... So I often like to make my healthier version of chocolate chip cookies. I really love this recipe and have made it many times. These cookies and the cookie bars are crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle.

I recently made these cookies for a family get together and they were a huge hit! No one could tell they were a healthier version and they were gone in minutes!  A few days later we were going to another family get together and my mother-in-law asked me to make these cookies again. After I made the dough, my sweet children were having a rough time with who knows what so to hurry up instead of making cookies I just quickly pressed it in a small baking pan and put it in the oven. Problem solved. Cookies made and kids happy. And they turned out to be absolutely delicious!

So you may be wondering what makes these cookies healthier. First of all, I'm not saying these are healthy just healthier than most chocolate chip cookies. Here are a few changes that make it healthier, these are made with whole-wheat flour and oats giving you whole-grains and more fiber. Instead of butter, it uses canola oil which cuts out most of the saturated fat. Cinnamon and dark chocolate chips are added which both have antioxidants. So there you go!  A few healthier changes to make it better for you.

And trust me, these are amazing! Your friends will never know these are lightened up!

Enjoy!

Lightened Up Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Adapted from Prevention
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup canola oil
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg + 1 egg white
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)

Directions:
In a medium bowl add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk to combine.  Whisk together the oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl, or in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.  Whisk in the egg and egg white and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in dry ingredients just until blended.  Fold in oats and chocolate chips.

Cover and chill dough in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 F. Gently press the dough into an *11x7 baking pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool then cut into squares.

*If you don't this size you can use an 8x8 baking pan.