Soft and gooey, these Healthier Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth. A secret ingredient helps reduce the sugar and butter content!
I have a confession to make. Until this month, I had never eaten a dried plum because of its more popular title: prune.
Let’s continue to call it a dried plum, so we can all forget about prunes and how they are associated with old people and gastrointestinal relief. But you guys – I don’t understand how I rejected this fruit for so long!
In fact, dried plums have multiple health properties to promote beyond relieving constipation (probably the first time that word has appeared on my blog). They are effective fruit in preventing and reversing bone loss – just eating a handful of dried plums a year has been associated with increased bone mineral density! In addition, they may support heart health, immunity, and healthy aging.
Dried plums can be used in baking recipes to reduce fats and sugars, by simply pureeing the fruit for its sweetness, moisture and texture. This is what we are taking advantage of today! Dried plums are really one sweet package, huh? They contain natural elements which help heighten the flavors of other ingredients in a recipe, whether sweet or savory.
So of course, I stuck all these health benefits into a cookie, adapting it generously from my favorite Tollhouse cookie version. Soft and gooey, these Healthier Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies will satisfy your cookie sweet tooth – and the dried plum puree in the dough lets us reduce the sugar and butter content, as well as the sweetness of the chocolate.
- ½ cup California Dried Plums (10-12)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 and ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- In a blender or food processor, combine California dried plums, butter, and water. Blend until you've reached a puree (don't worry if there are some flecks of the dried plum skin).
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in sugar, vanilla extract, and an egg until well combined.
- Add in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just incorporated.
- Chop the chocolate chips slightly so they distribute well in the dough, and add them into the bowl and mix.
- On 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats, form 24 heaping tablespoon-sized cookies. Flatten them with a fork if you prefer flatter cookies since they will not spread.
- Bake for around 8 minutes for gooey, soft cookies (add 1-2 minutes if desired).
- Remove them from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes before enjoying.
To sweeten the deal, I made a second batch and stuck them in the freezer. They’re just as good straight outta there! I prefer the flat version (first photo), but the round guys are softer.
Are you a fan of dried plums (ahem, prunes)? Do you like gooey, soft, crunchy, or crispy cookies best?
Looking for more of my favorite healthier cookie recipes? My peanut butter oatmeal cookies are always a hit!
Disclosure: I received free samples of California Dried Plums mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by California Dried Plum Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
Marisa
Selena @ The Nutritious Kitchen says
This is literally the best idea yet. I contemplated making a plum puree and making bars or something with it but oh man…cookies?! genius!! I am definitley a crunchy cookie girl so I love that you can make them either way. Pinned!
Marisa says
If you’re a cruncher, definitely cook them longer! I love soft and pillowy cookies or chewy cookies 🙂
Megan @ Pip and Ebby says
Dried plums…who would’ve thought?! These cookies look delicious!
Marisa says
I know… so many cool things to learn about dried fruit!
Sarah Grace says
Oh my goodness, this wins in my heart! Good luck! These look AMAZING.
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
Marisa says
Thanks Sarah Grace!
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
Love these! I randomly have a bunch of prunes at my house (I think from my mom’s 50th bday as a gag gift from someone). I should totally make them!! Y-u-m.
Marisa says
HAHA yes!! I love that someone stocked you guys up. You should snag them… I can’t believe how delicious they are plain!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
These look so delicious. I can almost taste them! Glad you’ve come around on dried plums – they really are delish!
Marisa says
Yes! They are so good!! Thanks, Jessica.
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
I’m with you – I rarely ate or bought dried plums before and I seriously was like “whoa” when I bit into one – I’ve been using them with everything now! Can’t wait to try this version of chocolate chip cookies (my 8 yr old will gladly be helping)- pinning….
Marisa says
Agreed! Thanks Deanna! I hope you ladies enjoy them 🙂
Candace says
oh yum! I am basically a cookie monster and I love cookies haha any way to make my addiction slightly healthier is welcome news to me! 🙂
xo, Candace | Lovely Little Rants
GiGi Eats says
HOLY MOLY BATMANNNNNN!!!!!! These look off the charts!
lindsay says
I’m all about adding natural sweetness! what a great combo. Love that prune…errr dried plum! haha
Marisa says
Haha yes! Thanks Lindsay!
Katie @ 24 Carrot Life says
Is this real life?! I swear those little dried plums are a magic ingredient. Everyone’s recipes look so good, but these cookies might take the cake!
Marisa says
Seriously – I’m excited to try some other recipes that Recipe Reduxers brainstormed up!
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together says
I love soft cookies!! I would have never thought of using prunes as a substitute… now I am going to have to buy some to try!
Georgie says
Uhm I cannot even handle how good these look! I’m recently getting into dates so I think my natural next evolution is the prune.
I like a cookie that’s crispy on the outside gooey on the inside 😀
Marisa says
Thanks Georgie!! You’re going to die, they’re so soft, sweet and chewy.
Melanie says
Do you have any high altitude tips for this,recipe?
Marisa says
Hi Melanie – I don’t typically find adjustments necessary as I live in Denver and bake a lot, but if you’re baking much higher than 5k feet, you can search online for suggestions – typically small changes to ingredient amounts or baking times. I have not tested these at higher altitudes.