I learned a couple of things in high school. One being that no matter what that American Eagle sales associate said, that shirt with the attached vest was not cute. (Even if you wear it with a pleated jean skirt. Also not cute.) Another lesson being that if you are a really good kid (aka incredibly boring) that one time you miss curfew may be more amusing to your parents than anger inducing. But ya gotta let your dad think you actually believe he’s mad. Believe me, it makes it more fun that way. Another lesson from highschool was that a girl needs a group of girlfriends. Because even though guy friends are equally important, they just won’t be able to stomach endless chick flicks that you all pretend to hate, guy friends won’t give you good clothing advice (or maybe they’ll ignore your ridiculous vest too) and they will never appreciate the amount of junk food girls can eat at sleepovers.

I found a great group of high school girlfriends freshman year. LT and I were already a well defined unit, but then we met Hollis and Kerri and we eventually became a group of four. Hollis often compares the four of us to similar fictional groups of four from movies and books. Sex and the City. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Desperate Housewives (really, Hol?) If there were four characters, Hollis always tried to convince us that our personalities were exactly like those of the characters. Except Hollis was always the protaganist. And even though her comparisons were ridiculous, it made it all the more funny. But rather than compare us to some fictional group of girls, I think we’re pretty unique. There’s Kerri, who is literally the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. And Hollis, who is one of the funniest people I know. LT is the wildcard of the group, because we honestly never know what crazy thing she’ll say next.  And me? I’m the one who brings the cookies. So when we all got together the other day to catch up and talk about Kerri’s upcoming wedding I whipped up these batch of chocolate chip cookies. It’s funny to think that just a few years ago we were four 15 year olds crowded around the wedding magazine section in Borders discussing our imaginary weddings…and now one of us is actually engaged. When did we suddenly grow up?

These cookies are soft and cake light with a subtle hint of cinnamon. I used some healthier ingredients to make these cookies low in calories and fat, so go ahead and have two. Or three.

Ingredients: Makes 18 cookies

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup margarine, softened
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 egg whites
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon light agave nectar
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour through cinnamon), set aside
2. In a medium bowl, combine margarine, egg yolk & vanilla extract; mix until just combined
3. In a small bowl, place egg whites and beat with an electric mixer on high until white and foamy
4. Gradually add sugar to egg white mixture and beat until mixture becomes white and glossy and soft peaks form
5. Beat agave nectar into egg white mixture
6. Fold egg yolk mixture into egg white mixture until just combined
7. Fold egg mixture into dry ingredients until just combined
8. Stir in chocolate chips
9. Place dough by the tablespoon on a greased cookie sheet
10. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes