A Chocolate Chip Party!

Expectation: That there is no such thing as a delicious whole grain chocolate chip cookie.

Winner: Laura's Whole Wheat Chocolate Chippers

I knew I had to attempt the chocolate chip cookie, but I also knew I would need some help. So, I called the pro herself: Mom. But, instead of just one mom, I called in back up. I invited 4 friends and their moms for a whole grain chocolate chip cookie baking party! Despite being slightly chaotic, the party was a ton of fun and the cookies were all really tasty. Everybody was surprised at the outcome and we all had a hard time picking a winner. 

I chose four recipes (one for each pair) that were different, but each was a "basic" chocolate chip cookie with no additions like cranberries, oatmeal or nuts. I'm sure that all of these recipes would taste great with cranberries, oatmeal and nuts but, for purposes of testing, we needed to keep it simple. 

The recipes we made were: 

The winner: Laura's Whole Wheat Chocolate Chippers

Recipe by: our close family friend and neighbor Laura

Made by: Laura and her daughter Megan

Laura makes the BEST chocolate chip cookies, and her recipe is highly coveted. We got permission to use the recipe and substituted only 3/4 of the white flour with whole wheat flour, leaving 1/2 cup of white flour. But, we all agreed that you couldn't taste the whole wheat at all, so substituting all 2 cups would work just fine. Absolutely scrumptious!

A close second: Healthy Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe from: Kitchen Stewardship

Made by: my sister-in-law-to-be Erin and her mom Sharon

While doing my research, I came across this recipe. The reviews were great, and I was intrigued by the use of coconut oil. These are some delicious cookies!

In third place: Classic Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe from: King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking Book

Made by: my mom and me

I chose this recipe because it uses Barley flour. These are slightly crunchier cookies, and overall pretty tasty!

And last: Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe from: King Arthur Flour

Made by: My good friends Shea and Jillian (no mom involved)

I'm not quite sure what happened here, but these cookies didn't turn out quite right. I can't say for sure that it was caused by the lack of mother involved, but it is a little suspicious. I chose the recipe because of some interesting ingredients: honey, espresso powder, cider vinegar, and white whole wheat flour. The cookies had really great flavor, but they lacked "presence" or "oomph". I love you Shea and Jillian!!

Before the guests arrived, I set up stations for each pair and put all the ingredients in the center of the room. We also provided snacks and wine, to keep everybody in good spirits! 

As guests arrived, each pair got to work on their recipe.  

Once the cookies were in the oven, my mom kept everyone outside while I set up the tasting stations. The hardest part was keeping everyone from tasting their cookies before the "official" tasting! I set out four bowls with one kind of cookie in each bowl. Guests went down the line tasting each cookie and dropped an M&M in the bowl of the cookies they liked the best. 

The clear winner was Laura's Whole Wheat Chocolate Chippers (although these really were a close second).

I asked Laura if she had any tricks, and she says to not let the butter get too soft and to take them out of the oven after 10 minutes, when they should be barely browned and they will cook the rest of the way on the pan.. And, as an experienced eater of Laura's delicious cookies, I know that she makes them really big, and really full of chocolate chips! She even makes them with walnuts sometimes, which I LOVE.

WARNING: I'm about to tell you the nutrition facts for one cookie. I suggest that you not scroll down and look, because I'm a true believer in the health benefits of chocolate chip cookies (being happy is good for you, right?). And now I'm going to list some of the health benefits of dark chocolate (semi sweet counts as dark), just because I think you should know:

• lowers blood pressure
• lowers bad cholesterol
• contains antioxidants
• contains epicatechin (this is something that is good for you, apparently)
• stimulates endorphins (makes you happy!!)
• contains seratonin (anti-depressant)
• contains healthy fats like oleic acid (also found in olive oil)

And I know I don't have to tell you the benefits of whole grains, since you're reading this blog. So, now that you know the tremendous health benefits of whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, here are the nutrition facts, if you must look. But first I'm showing you one more picture just in case you change your mind. 

My best estimate of the nutrition facts for one cookie (if you make 16 like we did - these are BIG):

355 calories

21g fat

44g carbohydrate

4g fiber

GI 73

GL 32

About the ingredients:

Whole Wheat Flour contains the macro nutrients of the wheat's bran and germ (the whole kernel). It is hearty and more robust than white flour and a good source of calcium, iron and fiber. It can be substituted for some or all of the white flour in most recipes, and found in most grocery stores.

Espresso Powder starts with specifically selected coffee beans that are ground and brewed to make espresso. After brewing, the grounds are then dried and crushed into a fine powder. This powder can also be used to make instant espresso or as a garnish. If you cannot (or don't have time to) find espresso powder, you can use instant coffee or finely ground coffee beans in it's place. Espresso powder is much more concentrated than instant coffee, and has a darker, richer flavor, so adjust to taste.