Protein Enriched Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I have been jonesing.

For cookies, duh.

I take a core class on Saturdays for abs and such, and the instructor is always saying, "make your body into a 'C': 'C' for 'crunch'."  

In my mind, "C" will only stand for one thing.  And that is cookie.

Anyone else jonesing for a bowl full of cookies?

This is the best "healthy" cookie recipe I have tried, to date.  So dense and chewy with the nutty flavor of browned butter and just a touch of sea salt to counter balance the chunks of chocolate.

Let's do this thing.

Protein Enriched, Browned Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

makes 21 regular sized cookies

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (see my protein powder of choice here)

3/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp sea salt

1 stick butter (I used Smart Balance)

1 cup + 2 tbsp loosely packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup egg substitute (or use 1 egg)

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup chocolate chunks

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix the first 6 ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Heat butter in a small pan on the stove (on medium heat) until bubbly, whisking occasionally. Once it starts to take on a brown color, remove from the stove.  

Measure the brown sugar in a small bowl and pour the melty, browned butter on top of it and whisk it up.  Add the egg and vanilla.

Pour the sugar, butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.  Add in the chocolate chunks and chips.

Line your pans with parchment (or spray them, whatever) and scoop dough with cookie scoop (or heaping tablespoon), pressing them down slightly with your hands.

Bake for 11-12 minutes and cool on parchment or cookie racks.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Eat the Love blog.