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Guiltless Chocolate Chip Pancakes + Cookbook Giveaway

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Guiltless Chocolate Chip Pancakes 2

In my dream world, I would live in a home overflowing with of books.

Rows upon rows, shelves upon shelves, cases upon cases, thousands upon thousands of books.

I was actually thinking back to my early days of Pinterest recently, remembering when the site was brand new, and I’m pretty sure that 90% of my pins were those epic houses and libraries and nooks that were filled to the ceiling with beautiful libraries of books. Not recipes. No, I was more inspired in the early days of Pinterest by all things book-ish, and fell in love with the idea of dwelling (literally) in the midst their great stories and knowledge and wisdom.

But as much as I would love to live in a house that was filled to the brim with thousands upon thousands of books, I made the decision to downsize a few years ago and simplify life by selling my house and half of my belongings. And in doing so, I donated half of my books — already hundreds of books — to charity. It was a bittersweet process, to be sure. But a good one. (Simplifying always is in the end, right?)  And for a sentimental person like me who naturally wants to hold on to everything, there was one simple question which helped me decide what to keep — would I actually re-read it?

With so many books and cookbooks, the answer to that was a simple “no”. Especially with my cookbooks. I loved the look of having rows and rows of cookbooks lining my kitchen, and loved the initial flip-through to oooh and ahhh over the delicious photos. But I have always found most of my recipes online, and decided that most of those books might get more use in some other cooks’ kitchens.

But. When The Skinnytaste Cookbook arrived on my doorstep last week and I began thumbing through the beautiful pages of recipes and healthy eating tips galore, I knew in an instant that this one was going to be a “keeper”. And I couldn’t wait to dive in and actually start cooking all of those recipes that I had dog-eared. So today I’m happy to be giving away a copy of the cookbook to one of you (see below for details!), and share with you the first recipe of Gina’s that I made — Guiltless Chocolate Chip Pancakes.

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Of all the cookbooks from my food blogging friends, I have to say that I have probably been looking forward to this release the most. I have been following Gina’s blog seemingly forever — from the days that it began as Gina’s Weight Watcher Recipes, through her decision to rename it Skinnytaste, and up through the release of her very first cookbook this past month. And while everyone has been absolutely blown away by the success of the book (hello #1 spots on Amazon in the month even before it was released, and subsequent New York Times Best Seller status), I don’t think any one has been surprised.

Because this girl and her recipes are simply wonderful.

First off, let’s talk about her recipes. Anyone who has read Gina’s blog for years know that her recipes are good. Make that, consistently good. She began her site with the intention of sharing “delicious, healthy, low-fat, family friendly recipes”, and she has not wavered from that purpose in 5+ years. She is an absolute pro at lightening up classic recipes and coming up with creative new creations of her own, and people keep coming back for more because she is also consistent in keeping everything approachable and using everyday ingredients. I have definitely learned tons of tips and tricks from her about healthy cooking over the years, and love how she has translated so many of my favorite comfort food dishes into (what my friend, Kate, distinguishes as) “feel good” recipes. Especially her Baked Chicken Parmesan — the best!!!

But I have to say, I am an even bigger fangirl of Gina’s nowadays after having had the chance to get to know her in person over the past year. Somehow I lucked out this year, and we ended up on three trips together, and as you’re reading this we’re actually back in Utah together at another retreat. And let me just tell you, this girl is a positive delight in person. She’s warm, encouraging, funny, smart, hard-working, positive, thoughtful, and always smiling. She’s the mom of two beautiful girls, one in elementary school and one in college (although Gina doesn’t look a day over 30). Oh, and she is totally a New Yorker and has the best accent, which always makes this Midwesterner happy. :)

But what impresses me the most about Gina is how she has stayed so incredibly humble and grateful and plugged into her community, even while experiencing tremendous career success. Just earlier this month, she was on national TV on evening selling thousands of copies of her new book, and then the next morning she was hanging out in cozy slippers soaking up some girl time with friends and graciously helping me brainstorm some recipes for a project, like it was no big deal. Because while this stage of her career is a very big deal (and well-earned, I would add), she’s keeps things in perspective, and knows that all of the friends and family in her life are an equally big deal. And continues to be her awesome self within her community, as well as rocking it on the shelves at Target.

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Anyway, I could go on, but just trust me — she’s great. :)

As are these Guiltless Chocolate Chip pancakes that are in her new cookbook. And this adorable photo of Gina and her daughter making them. (I love her little princess dress!)

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True to form with Gina’s site, these pancakes are lightened up significantly in terms of fat and calories, but they taste just as decadent as ever. Part of that is due to this delicious batter, which is made lighter with egg whites.

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And part is due to the use of one of my favorite ingredients — mini chocolate chips. Each pancake gets a sprinkle of them, which is enough for a satisfying (yet not overly) chocolate-y breakfast.

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Just cook them up in a griddle or skillet…
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And then you can serve them plain, or drizzled with a little bit of honey or maple syrup. I surprised myself and didn’t use all of the chocolate chips in the recipe, so I sprinkled the extras on top.

Pretty sure I wouldn’t have guessed “guiltless” from looking at this photo, but that’s Skinnytaste for you. ;)

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Just like Gina says, they are “delicious, healthy, low-fat, and family friendly”. And I would add, crazy good.

So all that said, if you’d like to enter our mini giveaway here for a chance to win a copy of The Skinnytaste Cookbookjust leave one comment below telling us your favorite comfort food (that is lightened up, or that you would like to see lightened up). And I will chose a winner on November 1.

Or, you can just pick up a copy for yourself online or at a local bookseller if you’d like, which I highly recommend.

Thanks for a great recipe, a great cookbook, and just for being great, Gina!

 

Guiltless Chocolate Chip Pancakes | gimmesomeoven.com #breakfast

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Guiltless Chocolate Chip Pancakes

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Yield: 10 pancakes (5 servings) 1x

Description

These guiltless chocolate chip pancakes are so sweet and comforting, yet all the more enjoyable knowing they are made with lighter ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or soy or low-fat dairy milk)
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 2 teaspoons canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • cooking spray or oil mister
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  • honey or pure maple syrup, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the applesauce, almond milk, egg whites, oil and vanilla.  Stir the flour mixture into the applesauce mixture until just moist, being careful not to overmix.
  3. Heat a large nonstick griddle over medium-low heat.  When hot, lightly spray the pan with oil.  Scoop out 1/4 cup of pancake batter for each pancake, then sprinkle 1 teaspoon of chocolate chips on top.  Cook until the pancakes start to bubble and the edges begin to set, 1 1/2 minutes.  Flip the pancakes over and cook the second side until golden, 1 1/2 minutes.  Repeat with the remaining batter.
  4. To serve, put 2 pancakes on each of 5 serving plates and then top with honey or maple syrup (if using).

Notes

Also, for any of you bloggers or photographers who might be interested in how I shot the above pancakes-on-a-fork, I just published a post on How To Photograph Floating Food on the new Photography Resources section of the site. If you’re interested, check it out!

How To Shoot Floating Food | gimmesomeoven.com #tutorial

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631 comments on “Guiltless Chocolate Chip Pancakes + Cookbook Giveaway”

  1. Sausage Gravy and Biscuits is my all time comfort food

  2. I love Skinnytaste! Looks like this recipe will be a new Skinnytaste favorite.

  3. My all time favorite comfort food ever is mac and cheese.  While I have made Gina’s skinnytaste mac and cheese, I think its missing yet another all time favorite comfort food component – BACON! :)  I think that would be the ultimate comfort food. 

  4. I would love to see a lighter recipe for fettucine Alfredo….!

  5. yum!  I love Gina’s chicken pot pie soup.  Made it(for the hundredth time!) tonight and it’s delish as ever!

  6. I love enchiladas or anything Mexican style. Best of comfort food!

  7. After seeing the Guiltless Chocolate Chip Pancake recipe I’d love to own The Skinnytaste Cookbook.

  8. Love, love, love skinnytaste recipes!! These look perfect for a weekend breakfast :) I would love to see a lightened version of nachos

  9. My comfort food is mushroom pizza with truffle oil. I could eat the entire thing!

  10. Gina has so many recipes that I now classify as “comfort food”. Her incredible Bolognese,  Dad’s creamy cauliflower soup, Cream of zucchini soup, Skinny Itzlian spinach meatballs with sauce…..I could go on and on! I just made Skinny chicken cordon bleu for my family tonight. I am excited to try the chocolate chip pancakes. I make them for my husband and two boys on the weekends but never eat them because the recipe I use is far from guilt free! 

  11. I hope I win, I love Skinnytaste :) I would love to see a “lightened-up” version of French Onion Soup!

  12. Mac and Cheese for sure!!!

  13. I would like to see a substitute for mashed potatoes but not with cauliflower.

  14. Lightened up brownies or chocolate chip cookies for me please.

  15. I also love cookbooks. At one point I had about 75 of my own and then all of my mom’s. I decided to share and gave a lot away. I would like this pancake recipe with apples instead of chocolate!

  16. I love skinnytaste recipes!  We are always looking for new muffin or mini muffin recipes to mix up  our weekly breakfast routine.

  17. Gina’s recipes are fantastic…have been using them for a few years. These pancakes look delish and I’m sure they taste the same!

  18. I LOVE Giina’s Spaghetti Squash ‘n Cheese!!!  Awesome comfort food!

  19. I would love a lightened up version of Swedish meatballs! :-) 

  20. I would love to see a really delish caramel or chocolate cheesecake.

  21. I love the spinach and butternut squash lasagna rolls. We eat them once a week!

  22. I would love to see a lightened up version of a classic chicken pot pie! :)

  23. I absolutely love Mexican tamales! It’s my ultimate comfort food, a taste of home. I’d love to see a lightened up recipe! :)

    Thank you for such a great blog…I love it!

  24. I love her lightened up baked macaroni and cheese! I opted not to bake it per one of her suggestions on her website and just love how creamy, cheesy, and flavorful it is…delish!!!! I’d love to get a copy of her cookbook.  I’ve tried so hard to lose weight healthily and it’s so hard to find delicious comfort foods without false sugars or odd ingredients. So when I found out about her recipes, I almost came to tears! She has simplified it so much! I can tell a lot of care goes into her food and appreciate her willingness to share it with others. Love her recipes!

  25. Pasta :) any pasta. Yummmmmy. A lightened up version would be amazing.

  26. I would love to see chicken broccoli casserole lightened up! By the looks of this recipe, I’m sure Gina is up to the task! 

  27. I would love to see some chicken pot pie lightened up :)  YUM!

  28. Love the potato soup with cauliflower. 

  29. My favorite comfort food is pizza :) I love SkinnyTaste and would love to win the cookbook!

  30. I love all the recipes that I have tried from Gina’s website. Winning her book would be such a treat. I probably make the banging good shrimp the most. I’d love to see a lighter version of clam chowder. 

  31. I can’t wait for my fiancé and I to try these pancakes, they look amazing! We are always new recipes we try online and we can’t wait to try this!! 

  32. Pumpkin pie ;)

  33. These pancakes look amazing. What a great cookbook to win! Yum!!

  34. I love Gina’s buffalo chicken lettuce wraps. Love buffalo chicken wings and her recipe is a wonderful lighter version!

  35. OMG i cannot wait to try these! thanks for sharing!! and thanks for picking ME to win the free book (hint hint! LOL)

  36. I’m always looking for guiltless ways to eat chocolate!  I hope there are many, many more in the cookbook!

  37. I have never been dissappointed with a skinnytaste recipe and chocolate chip pancakes are one of my family’s special breakfast treats – can’t wait to try this recipe with my kiddos! My ultimate comfort food is creamy Mac n cheese!

  38. I would love to see a lightened up version of pecan pie!

  39. Oh man, Macaroni and Cheese!

  40. My fave comfort food is definitely ice cream :) chocolate

  41. I would love to see fudge brownies lightened up- you know actually retain the flavor and consistency! But these pancakes look sooooo good I’m going to have to try these in the very near future!

  42. Favorite comfort food…lasagna! 

  43. These sound wonderful

  44. Baked Macaroni & Cheese…..mmmmmmmmmm!! Or Pie….Yes! Pie. Fresh Peach Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie. Oh, the choices are limitless.

  45. Can’t wait to try this. Love skinny taste. 

  46. We love the cheesecake recipes that are skinny!

  47. I have seen & tried lighter versions of Chicken Pot Pie but haven’t found a favorite yet- I bet you & Gina can help me!

  48. I’ve been using and recommending Skinnytaste.com to friends and family for several years!  Recipes are awesome!  Will purchase cookbook for myself and as Christmas gifts for others.  Thanks Gina!

  49. My comfort food is a great chili (just yesterday make Gina’s Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili) and cornbread.  Yum!