Chocolava Cookies

With a name like that, how could I not try this recipe?! Another recipe from She Knows Cooking Smart magazine (March/April 2006) . Low calorie, low fat -- but, Holy St. Patrick! -- What a mess to make! I "choco-lava'd" my food processor, mixer, and my manicure. But so worth it!

Chocolava Cookies

1 1/3 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter at room temperature

3 large egg whites, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

Confectioner's sugar, for rolling

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl or bowl of food processor, combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt, breaking up any lumps of brown sugar. Add butter and blend with fork or pastry cutter (or pulse in food processor) until mixture is well-combined. If you used a food processor, transfer mixture to large bowl.

Add egg whites and vanilla and stir by hand until dough comes together (I used my mixer), using fingers if necessary. Mixture will seem dry at first, and dough will be sticky (understatement!) because of low fat content.

Place a few spoonfuls of confectioner's sugar in shallow dish. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and roll in sugar to coat. (Nice try, use a spoon instead, drop into sugar and then form a ball. Say a few unprintable words and tell yourself you can't stop now.) Place 1-2 inches apart on cookie sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.

Bake for about 12 minutes, until just set around edges but still soft in middle. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Store in tightly sealed container or freeze.

Makes 2 dozen cookies. Each cookie - 92 calories, 18 calories from fat, 2g fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 18g carbs, 1g fiber.

Author: Julie Van Rosendaal, "One Smart Cookie"