Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Forget the fancy desserts and cakes, it doesn't get much better than a warm chocolate chip cookie. I've searched for a foolproof recipe for both healthy and less healthy options and I think I've found them.  Pull up the chairs, let the kids help and have the milk ready!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup 100% maple syrup
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour (can usually purchase at Walmart, Publix or Kroger - and online!)
• 1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• With an electric mixer with a paddle attachment or metal beaters, cream together the butter, and brown sugar until smooth (2-3 minutes)
• Beat in eggs, one at a time, only until incorporated
• Add vanilla
• Add honey/syrup mixture
• In a separate bowl, stir together flour, soda, and salt
• Add flour mixture to batter slowly just until incorporated (I normally turn my mixer to the lowest speed)
• Then add chocolate chips and nuts (if using) and beat on high for 5 seconds just until mixed in
• Drop on an ungreased sheet pan with a small ice cream scoop - about two tablespoons
• Don't pat down flat!
• Bake for about 6-8 minutes in the preheated oven, but watch them closely! Take out when the edges are just turning light brown.
• Cool on pan for 2 minutes or so and then move to a cooling rack.  
• Serve warm or store at room temperature in an airtight container (Our family prefers to eat them warm, so I only bake enough for us to eat in one sitting and refrigerate the rest of the dough.  See below)
• Freeze or refrigerate dough - shape into a log using plastic wrap (the entire batter makes about three 12 inch logs).  
• When cooking frozen or refrigerated dough, just slice, roll into a ball and put on a baking sheet.  They will need to cook for a little longer in the oven.

Notes:  For less healthy option - Use 2 cups of brown sugar (instead of sugar + honey + syrup) and 2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour.

Cold dough sliced before baking.