Honey Whole Wheat Butter Cookies

Honey Whole Wheat Butter Cookies are my favorite "healthy cookie".  Made with fresh ground whole wheat flour, local "Kate's" butter and golden honey.  Simple to make, nothing fussy except you really want fresh whole wheat flour.  If you can't grind it yourself, really do yourself a favor and purchase a fresh sack of whole wheat flour.  The butter and honey give this cookie a distinct flavor but if your using old flour, the flavor will be spoiled.  These are a great after school snack you don't have to feel guilty about and the kids will love them!

 Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup honey

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 1/3 cups fresh whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1.  In a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until creamy.  Add the honey and beat until well combined.  Add eggs, one at a time and mixing well between each addition, add vanilla and mix in.  Turn mixer off and set aside.

2.  In a separate bowl or on a piece of parchment paper, sift the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together, include the bran that stays in the sifter.

3.  Add half the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix in by hand, add the remaining flour and mix together gently until well incorporated.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for half an hour.

4.   Preheat the oven to 375° F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Scoop out dough by rounded tablespoon and with floured hands roll into balls.  Place 2 inches apart on parchment lined pan.  Slightly flatten each ball with the tines of a fork dipped in flour.  Bake for 10 minutes or until tops are set and a nice brown rim form around the bottom of each cookie.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Enjoy!