Dark Chocolate Christmas Cookies

If you’re feeling a little guilty about loading up with sweets this holiday season and are already planning out your post-New Year’s diet resolutions, give yourself a break with some Christmas cookies that, while not 100% healthy, are healthier than many of the classics made this time of year!

The addition of dark chocolate in these cookies, as well as egg whites and very little sugar make for a cookie that’s tasty, chocolaty, and satisfying, with only 52 calories per cookie.

Dark Chocolate Christmas Cookies
from suite101

6 oz dark chocolate (preferably 60% or greater)
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup finely ground almonds

~ Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two large cookie sheets with nonstick spray.

~ Melt dark chocolate in microwave at 30-second intervals on 70% power until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.

~ Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Continue beating, adding in sugar and vanilla slowly, until mixture forms stiff peaks.

~ Gently fold in chocolate and almonds until fully incorporated. Drop teaspoons of batter onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving one inch between cookies.

~ Bake 10-12 minutes, switching racks (put bottom cookie sheet on top rack and top cookie sheet on bottom rack) halfway through baking to ensure even browning.

~ Cookies are done when there is a light crust on the outside, but they are soft on the inside. Makes 36 cookies.

[image: flickr]