Heart Healthy Cookies For Santa

I know Santa makes a list and he checks it twice, but I also think he counts down the days to the plethora of cookies that await him on his Christmas journey.

This year I’ve made it my mission to help Santa by remaking some of my favorite cookie recipes and loved the benefits using Smart Balance heart-healthier products would bring.  I’ve been using Smart balance products since October, like their oil, butter, and peanut butter, and knew they would work really well in my favorite cookie recipes.

Using the Smart Balance Better Butter Sticks was the first swap I made in my cookie recipes.  The Better Butter Sticks are made with real butter and canola oil but have the added benefit of omega-3s and plant sterois which helps block cholesterol in butter.

For a pre-thanksgiving/Santa’s cookie test run I decided to make an oatmeal cookie with a special treat…

Chocolate Covered Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) Smart Balance Better Butter Sticks, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup of oatmeal
• 1 bag of chocolate covered cranberries (Craisins)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine four, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.  Beat Smart Balance Better Butter Sticks, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a separate large bowl until creamy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Next, gradually beat in flour mixture.  Lastly, stir in oatmeal and chocolate covered craisins to the cookie dough.

With the dough completely mixed, use a spoon to shape tablespoon sized balls of dough and place on greased cookie tray.

Bake the cookies at 375 degrees for 12 minutes and enjoy!!

Santa is going to be one heart healthy guy with these cookies!!

Smart Balance has some wonderful products and all have worked really well in my recipes so far.  My next test will be using their peanut butter in my peanut butter cookie recipes and other peanut butter focused desserts (peanut butter pie anyone??).

Smart Balance has LOTS of great recipes on their website as well as a super cute app on their facebook page called Help Santa.

Have you ever adapted a favorite recipe to make it healthier?

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this campaign.  All opinions are my own!

Tagged with: baking • cookies • santa

Filed under: Cooking • Holidays • Recipes

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