Hugs and Kisses Cookies without all the GUILT

To a lot of people Christmas time is a perfect excuse for stretchy pants and yummy foods we know we shouldn't indulge in. Like everyone else, holiday baking is one of my favorite things of the most wonderful time of the year! Some recipes are harder than others to try to "healthify" so when I get the opportunity I take it! These cookies are not guilt free but they are a healthy alternative to the original recipe :) It's amazing how a few substitutes can change the nutrition but yet the taste is not sacrificed. My fiance and I made these together and had a blast! Don't be freaked out by the use of applesauce in replacement of all of the butter, I've secretly used applesauce instead of butter in many cookie recipes without anyone noticing, in fact, it makes the cookies gooier on the inside (YUMMO). 

WARNING: These are very addicting! :) 



















Ingredients: 

• 1/2 Cup Softened Butter 
• 1/2 Cup Applesauce (No Sugar Added) 
• 1/3 Cup Light Agave (or brown sugar Splenda) 
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla 
• 2 Cups Wheat Flour (or oat flour)
• 1/2 Cup Holiday Mini Chocolate Chips (could do sugar-free if you can find them!) 
• 1/2 Cup Holiday Mini M&M's 
• 1 9oz. Bag Hershey Kisses 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 376 Degrees F 
• In a large bowl, beat butter, applesauce, sugar, and vanilla until well blended 
• Add the flour and blend until smooth 
• Stir in chocolate chips and M&M's 
• Mold about a tablespoon of cookie dough around each unwrapped kiss, covering completely. Shape into a ball and place onto cookie sheet 
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set 
• Cool slightly and remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. 
• Enjoy!