IVORY Johnson Jr. of Moanalua writes, "I would like to have any cookie recipes you have that are healthy - some brownie ones, too." Healthy treats for
cookie jarTwo recipes follow from "Cook It Light Desserts" by Jeanne Jones (Macmillan, 1994, $24), a treasury of recipes revised to lower calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium.
Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup all-purpose unbleached flourLightly spray a cookie sheet with nonstick vegetable spray.
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1/4 cup unsweetened cinnamon applesauce
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg or 1/4 cup nonfat liquid egg substitute
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
1/2 cup dark raisinsIn a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together shortening, applesauce, sugars, egg and vanilla until shortening breaks into pea-sized pieces. Add flour mixture; mix well. Fold in oats, then raisins.
Drop by rounded teaspoonful onto cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool on cookie sheet 5 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack. Makes 36 cookies.
Approximate nutritional analysis per cookie: 53 calories, 1 gram fat, 6 milligrams cholesterol, 46 milligrams sodium.*
Fudge Brownies
1 jar baby-food pureed prunes, 2-1/2 ouncesSpray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick vegetable spray.
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup nonfat liquid egg substitute
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chipsMix prunes and sugar. Add egg substitute, buttermilk and vanilla.
Combine flour and cocoa and mix well. Add to the liquid ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips and spoon mixture into the pan.
Bake at 350 degrees until the top springs back when touched, about 30 minutes. Don't overbake. Cool on a rack at least 30 minutes before cutting into 16 squares.
