Gingerbread Cookie Dough Bites - A Practice In Portions!

Whaaaaat??? you say.... Dr Sue is blogging a cookie dough recipe?!  Yes, in fact, I am.  Let's face it - it's the holiday season, and indulging is likely to happen one way or another.  This brings me to one of the most important survival skills when less healthy choices present themselves: Portion Control.  Years ago, I conducted and published a clinical trial on a portion plate and showed that it was helpful for weight management, but the trouble is, foods like desserts and cookies can't really be measured on a plate.  So, if you are in need of a holiday treat recipe, consider this fantastic bite-sized recipe.  Not only is it delicious, but it reminds us that just a bite or two can be enough to enjoy without setting all your hard work staying healthy off the rails.  Amy uses applesauce in her recipe as a low calorie way to cut back on the margarine - I like it!


INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1.5 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp margarine, melted
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 2 tbsp applesauce, unsweetened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 tbsp brown sugar, packed

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Whisk together the flour, ginger, and salt in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, stir together the margarine, molasses, applesauce, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Mix in the brown sugar. Add in the dry flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
2. Line a baking sheet or large plate with wax paper. Roll the cookie dough into 32 little balls, using between 1 – 1½ teaspoons of dough in each ball. Place on the wax paper and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Makes 32 bites.  Per bite: 

• Calories: 31
• fat: 0.4g
• carbs: 6.5g
• protein: 0.4g

I would suggest 3 bites (or less) as a serving. 

Enjoy!

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