I think I finally found a healthy cookie that I actually like. This is huge. You see, cookies are my weakness. They’re the one thing that I am powerless to resist. Cake, no problem. Candy, not really an issue. Brownies….well, those are tough to avoid too. The chocolate gets me.
But cookies? They’re impossible to resist. Especially ones involving chocolate.
I’ve tried making healthy cookies, or breakfast cookies, or any version of cookie that isn’t loaded with butter and sugar and chocolate chips, but they’ve all been rather disappointing. I mean, I’ll still eat them, but they won’t eliminate a cookie craving. And if the real thing is also available, you better believe that that’s the one I’m reaching for!
Healthy cookies just don’t really compare.
But these. These I actually liked. These chocolate cherry thumbprint cookies actually had enough sweetness, and enough chocolatey taste to curb that cookie craving. They’re chewy, and a bit fudgy, with chocolate, cherry, and almond flavours combining to make what is actually a really good cookie. Can you tell I was a bit surprised?
And there’s no butter, no oil, and no refined sugar in them at all. They’re even gluten free if you use gluten free oats and oat flour.
Of course, the sugar level depends on the jam you use to fill the thumbprints. I used a homemade cherry jelly that was very low sugar, but the amount would increase if you use regular jam. Although there’s only a half teaspoon in each cookie so there still wouldn’t be much. And I will admit that there is powdered sugar in the glaze, but it’s a pretty minimal amount on each cookie and you could easily omit that. I actually put it on to pretty them up a bit more than anything!
These thumbprint cookies were a huge hit at our house. I loved them, the kids loved them, and my husband even ate a few – which is a really good indication that they were great! He generally steers clear of my “healthified” versions of food!
We will definitely be making these again soon. Having a healthy cookie available when we want a treat is just too good to resist!
I also shared this healthy chocolate cherry thumbprint cookie recipe over at Food Fanatic.
I love these cookies! Hooray for healthy cookies and LOVE the cherry jam!!!
Thanks Alice! Cherry jam is SO good, I wish I’d made it before this year, we’ve been flying through it!
Wow these cookies look and sound fantastic Stacey! Love the drizzle of glaze on top!
Wow, these look so amazing! I love chocolate and cherries together!
These cookies look so pretty! i love that they’re healthy! Chocolate and cherry is such a great combo!
It took me a long time to find a healthy cookie that I liked too! But I can so see why you loved these! Chocolate +cherry is so good!!
I think healthy and cookie just don’t go together so they’re always a little disappointing! These I liked though! Thanks Ashley!
Healthy cookie ? Now this I have to try!! looks great Stacey!
Healthy cookies! I’m in. Send me a dozen please. These look so good Stacey! Love the cherry chocolate combo. Yum!
Chocolate and cherry is such a great combo isn’t it? Thanks Cyndi!
I love anything with cherries, so I can’t wait to try this. It looks so good! Thank you for sharing this healthy and delicious recipe. 🙂
These look SOO good! I can’t believe they are healthy! Chocolate and cherry is such a great combo!
I couldn’t believe that they were healthy and yet still tasted like chocolatey cookies! Nice when that works out! Thanks Mariah!
I’m in love with these! I’m pinning so I can make them soon. I’ve been thinking about them all day after seeing them this morning! Awesome!
Thanks so much Patricia! Hope you like them as much as we did! Thanks for pinning!
These cookies look hearty and delicious! I love the awesome ingredients!
~PINNED~ This look delicious. A definite must try! Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door Opens Tonight 9pm Pacific Time! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thanks Lorelai! And thanks for pinning!
Is it terrible that these remind me of Christmas? I love thumbprint cookies and now I want it to be Christmas…
Hahaha, I guess they’ve got the red in there. Thumbprint cookies aren’t a cookie I make at Christmas so I never thought of that!
Cookies are my favourite, too! It can be 10PM and I will still whip up a batch of homemade cookies to quench my cravings. These sound really good, and even though they are healthy, I wouldn’t think anything about their flavours 🙂
Cookies are totally my weakness, so hard to avoid them when they’re around. I actually don’t let myself make them too often, because I’ll just eat them! I’ll have to find more healthy versions to quench that craving! 🙂 Thanks Kacey!
These cookies are gorgeous, Stacey! Your pictures are just beautiful. These really do look like delicious healthy cookies! I love the chocolate and cherry combination, especially with that drizzle on top!
Thanks Gayle! I’ll admit, that glaze on top is NOT healthy, but just so much prettier with it! Besides, it’s not much! 🙂
These look delicious and I love how healthy and cute they are!