Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie? And when it comes to fast food chains, McDonald’s is known for its delicious cookies that are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. But have you ever wondered about the nutritional value of these treats? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at McDonald’s chocolate chip cookie calories, and we’ll provide you with two different recipes to make your own version of this classic cookie at home.
What’s in a McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Cookie?
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s take a quick look at the ingredients and nutritional information of a McDonald’s chocolate chip cookie. According to the McDonald’s website, one cookie contains:
- 160 calories
- 7 grams of fat
- 23 grams of carbohydrates
- 2 grams of protein
- 13 grams of sugar
While these cookies are definitely a treat and should be enjoyed in moderation, they’re not as unhealthy as you might think. As long as you’re not eating them every day, a McDonald’s chocolate chip cookie can definitely fit into a balanced diet.
Recipe 1: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
- Serving size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Total fat: 6g
- Saturated fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- Total carbohydrates: 16g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 2g
Cooking Time:
8-10 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions:
These classic chocolate chip cookies are perfect with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. They’re also delicious on their own, as a sweet treat anytime of the day.
Variations:
If you want to mix things up, you can try substituting the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even M&Ms. You can also add some chopped nuts for some extra crunch.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and omit the salt in the recipe. You can also use margarine instead of butter, but keep in mind that this will affect the taste and texture of the cookies.
Storage:
These cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature before you start mixing it with the sugar. This will help the ingredients blend together more easily.
- Don’t overmix the dough once you add the dry ingredients. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
- If you want your cookies to be more uniform in size and shape, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter in this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use margarine, but keep in mind that it will affect the taste and texture of the cookies.
Q: Can I freeze the dough?
A: Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just portion it out into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container.
Recipe 2: Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil and honey until well combined.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the coconut oil mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the dark chocolate chips.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
- Serving size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Total fat: 12g
- Saturated fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 100mg
- Total carbohydrates: 10g
- Dietary fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
10-12 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions:
These healthier chocolate chip cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without all the added sugar and fat. They pair well with a cup of tea or coffee, or you can enjoy them on their own as a guilt-free treat.
Variations:
If you want to mix things up, you can try substituting the dark chocolate chips with milk chocolate chips or white chocolate chips. You can also add some chopped nuts for some extra crunch.
Substitutions:
If you’re not a fan of coconut oil, you can use melted butter or ghee instead. You can also use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey, but keep in mind that this will affect the taste and