Cocoa Cookies (healthier version)

A long time ago I pleaded and begged chocolate to please, leave my life! It was like a toxic friend teasing me and taunting me everywhere I looked.  I tried to avoid the sinful allure but it continued to call my name every chance it got!

Then I realized (with great relief) that my old friend chocolate would never leave no matter how hard I tried. It loved me too much, especially my thighs, and like a big girl I sucked it up and decided to endure my torturous love affair with it forever.

But I decided to do some sneaking around of my own. After experimenting with some recipes, I found I could eat this devilish delight and keep the inches from adding on...yes!

This cookie is not loaded with sugar or fats, yet it has the most wonderful cocoa flavor with a soft, cake-like texture.  They remind me of a brownie bite, but much lighter.

So, does a guilt-free chocolate cookie exist? If not, this one is pretty darn close!

Cocoa Cookies

2 T. butter, room temp

2 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese

6 T. sugar (or a sugar substitute)

3 T. amber agave nectar

1 egg

1 egg white

1/2 t. vanilla extract

1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 t. baking soda

3 T. baking cocoa

1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese, agave, and sugar with an electric mixer. Add in the egg, egg white, and vanilla. Mix well. In a small bowl, combine the flours, cocoa, and baking soda. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just till combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

2. Use a small cookie scoop and drop onto a lined baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7-10 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on a wire rack. Yields: 2-1/2 dozen

Thank you, chocolate, for sticking around in my life. I need you!