Cookies: One Healthy, One Not So Healthy; Both Delicious

I experimented with two different cookie recipes this weekend.  One sinfully delicious for my husband and his friends to enjoy and one slightly healthier for me to enjoy.  Both were winners.  Try them and see for yourself.

Sinfully Delicious White Chocolate Espresso Cookies

3/4 butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
4 oz dark chocolate, divided
2 Tbs ground espresso
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz white chocolate chopped
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1. Preheat oven to 350. Beat  butter and sugar on medium speed until blended.  Melt the dark chocolate and mix with ground espresso.  Add melted chocolate and espresso to butter mixture, beating just until blended.

2. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating after each addition. Stir in white chocolate chunks and pecans.

3. Drop by heaping tablespoon onto lightly greased baking sheets.  Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool on pans for 5 minutes. 

Healthy Almond Butter, Banana, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1 medium-sized banana, well ripened
1 cup all natural almond butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp honey
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
2 cups rolled oats, not instant
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup raisins


Preheat oven to 375° F, and lightly coat baking sheet(s) with cooking spray.

Cream almond butter and brown sugar together. Add banana and beat until fully mashed. Add vanilla and honey and beat again. Add egg and mix for another minute.  Stir in flour, oats, and baking powder, stopping before the dry ingredients are fully moistened. Fold in raisins, mixing just until these and the dry ingredients are fully incorporated.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared pan.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, until set and lightly browned.

Move baking sheet to wire rack for cookies to cool.