Low GI Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

After taking a modest summer break, I am excited to share some of the neat-o experiments with food that I've undertaken over the past few weeks. These experiments have one common hypothesis - to taste good while remaining in the low glycemic index category. So far, the experiments have been fairly easy for me, as a lot of the foods I enjoy eating are naturally low in starches and sugars. However, the real test comes when the sweet tooth begins to taunt me with demands for chocolate or peanut butter.


That's why this recipe is my favourite experiment so far. I adapted these chewy cookies from a similar 'Taste of Home' creation, but changed a number of the ingredients to make it as natural as possible, but rich enough to shut down evil Mr. Sweet Tooth. (He hasn't figured out that these are only 77 calories each. Don't say a word.) They have also been peer reviewed by the nerd kitchen's humble tester-husband, and he has decreed them worthy of another batch. Right now.


Not only will these sweet indulgences keep you satisfied, you can also feel good about the wholesomeness of the ingredients:



1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup 70% dark chocolate - chopped

These take no time to mix up; combine the peanut butter, oil, maple syrup, egg and vanilla. Sift the cocoa, baking soda, flour and salt together, then blend into the wet ingredients. Finally, stir in the chocolate pieces. This batter will seem really goopy, but it is very moist.


Using a 1/2 teaspoon measure, you should be able to get 36 small cookies in a batch. Bake them for 10-12 minutes at 350F.



The natural peanut butter provides a lot of protein, some iron and a bit of fibre. You'll find that one or two will be enough to keep your evil tooth thinking you are up to no good, yet keep your blood sugar from spiking too much. They will keep well in a container for several days, and would make a great lunch bag treat.

Stay tuned for more experiments!


Comments

  1. What was the texture like? Are they chewy? They look awesome

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm saving some for you, Libbyloulou. :) They are moist and chewy, yet not a heavy cookie. They have that dark chocolate richness, and are not overly sweet. I think the natural peanut butter is the magic ingredient.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MMMMM...chocolate....peanut butter...maple syrup.....

    ReplyDelete
  4. These sound soooooo good, especially because they're guilt free. But I hate to ask...is one enough!?

    ReplyDelete
  5. You know they sound good when I'M considering making them. Thanks junkie!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh yeah! I need some of this! That does look so very good for something relatively healthy. Of course, the last ingredient is my favourite. Don't know why, but seeing "70%" always makes me perk up ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for sharing these little delights with me!
    They are very tasty. The texture is cake-like but not disappointing. I found one was actually just enough to satisfy.
    LittleLouLou wanted to try one and said "Oh! These are really good!" so 2 thumbs up from the kidster!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment