100% Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chopped Walnuts

I am sure a lot of you have decided that your new year's resolution is to lose weight, if you are like most everyone else in the country. I am making it a goal of mine to provide healthy indulgences that you can enjoy periodically throughout the year. Here is my first healthier cookie recipe of 2012.

If you are going to make something that contains flour, please try to use white whole wheat flour or whole wheat flour. It is so much better for you! Yes, it does change the texture of a lot of baked goods but it doesn't change the overall taste of most recipes. If you are trying to make the switch in your house, try to do 3/4 of flour whole wheat and use all purpose flour for the remaining 1/4.  This recipe will have a few options on how to make them.

These cookies are absolutely delicious and they are a healthier version that what you are going to find in a supermarket. Just because you are making them whole wheat does not mean you can eat 5 of them in one sitting. To avoid eating too many of these, try packaging them up and giving them to family and friends, or take a bunch of them to work to share with coworkers.

100% Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chopped Walnuts
Serves: approx 6 dozen cookies
Adapted by: http://barefeetinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/100-whole-wheat-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Ingredients:
1/2 cup light butter, softened
1/4 cup white sugar OR sugar substitute equivalent
1/2 cup light brown sugar OR brown sugar substitute
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 egg OR 1/4 cup egg whites OR eggbeaters substitute (I used egg whites)
1 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour OR whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon lite salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts - OPTIONAL but nuts contain healthy fats that are good for your heart when eaten in moderation

Directions:
-preheat oven to 375 degrees.
-In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Once this is done, add the sugars and beat for 3 to 4 minutes. This is what helps make the cookies fluffy and light.
-Once you have completed that step, add the egg and vanilla and beat well.
-In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients together. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and make sure to combine it well.
-Once all the dry and wet ingredients have been incorporated, add the chocolate chips and walnuts and stir to combine.
-Use a small scooper and place small balls of dough onto a nonstick baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes or just until the edges are browned.
-Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy! :)