Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies (Mediterranean Style)
Ingredients
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1¾ cups whole-wheat flour (or half all-purpose, half oat flour)
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½ tsp baking soda
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¼ tsp sea salt
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½ tsp cinnamon
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Zest of 1 orange or lemon (winter citrus note)
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⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil (or melted butter)
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½ cup coconut sugar or light brown sugar
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¼ cup honey or maple syrup
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1 large egg
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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¾ cup dark chocolate chips (60–70%)
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¼ cup chopped almonds or pistachios
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¼ cup white chocolate chips or coconut flakes (for “snow”)
Instructions
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Preheat oven: 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
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Dry bowl: Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and citrus zest.
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Wet bowl: Whisk olive oil, coconut sugar, honey, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
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Combine: Stir dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
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Fold in: Chocolate chips, nuts, and white chocolate/coconut.
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Shape: Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto tray, spacing apart.
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Bake: 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers stay soft.
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Cool: Rest 5 minutes on tray, then transfer to rack.
Winter Wonderland Finish
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Light dusting of powdered sugar
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Extra white chocolate drizzle
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Sprinkle of finely shredded coconut
Storage
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Airtight container: 5 days
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Freezer-friendly dough or baked cookies: up to 2 months
Variations
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Chewier: Add 1 tbsp Greek yogurt to dough
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Dairy-free: Use all dark chocolate
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Extra festive: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom
