Everybody raise their hand if you’ve used I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. I’m pretty sure you just raised your hand, didn’t you? Well, like most of you I also have used ICBINB, but typically when I was trying to cut those pesky calories and fat grams in such things as baked potatoes, toast, well, honestly that was about it. I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to visit the Unilever test kitchen in NYC and participate in a day of learning more about this versatile product. (FTC Disclosure: Unilever paid my transportation and living expenses during the trip) Oh my goodness, was I excited with the knowledge AND recipes that I left with. First of all, as a chef, I was in what I believe to be in nirvana, every type of kitchen, tool, ingredient was at your ready. As we arrived, there was an incredible spread of scones, biscuits, cookies, jams, juices, one of the most deliciously colorful breakfast buffets I had seen. I had one of the best orange scones EVER, and to my surprise this was to be my first sampling of what you can do with ICBINB. Yes, this wonderful bread was made from “dietetic” soft spread. I couldn’t believe something this rich and delicious had ZERO trans fat, and was minuscule in its cholesterol amounts. And to even better the healthy profile I was getting vital omega-3 and omega-6 essential fats. And we all know that our bodies do not manufacture these nutrients so we have to get them into our diets.

As the day progressed with more knowledge of ICBINB I also was excited to taste various ways of serving ICBINB in everyday cooking. One of my favorites without a doubt had to be the Parmesan-Crusted Chicken & Spinach Salad. Not only were the dishes all tasty and nutritionally balanced, but VERY economical as well. Oh yeah, and did I mention they typically contain 8 or less ingredients and start to finish are around 30 minutes. What more can you ask for….a personal chef to prepare them for you? Well, that’s were I come in and that’s an entirely different blog! (<:

I finished the day preparing a recipe on my own. I was given the ingredients to prepare their Delicious One Bowl Chocolate Chip Cookies. On another table were ingredients I could incorporate if I wanted to make a signature cookie. As I looked at the ingredients, I was reminded about the 7-way cookie bars my grandmother made for us growing up (which is still tradition in my home) during holidays. Some of you may know these as “Magic Bars” that are on the back of the can of condensed milk. So I grabbed some peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, and toasted coconut. I was skeptical as to what the outcome of these cookies would be without all the fat and especially without the condensed milk! But much to my surprise, these cookies are fantastic! So much so that I can’t keep this to myself and am sharing with y’all now.

Thank you everyone at I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter and at Unilever for a day of exciting, delicious food and knowledge of not only how healthy ICBINB is but it’s versatility and great taste. Make sure to go to their site NowYouKnowBetter.com for more recipes. The following is my version of their Delicious One Bowl Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Magical Cookies

1 Cup (2 sticks) I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Cooking & Baking Sticks
¾ Cup firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ Cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 Cups all-purpose flour
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 ounces peanut butter chips
4 ounces butterscotch chips
Toasted coconut to taste

Preheat oven to 375º Fahrenheit

Beat I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Cooking & Baking sticks with sugars in a large bowl with electric mixer or wooden spoon until smooth. Beat in vanilla, egg and baking soda. Stir in flour until blended. Stir in chips.

Drop mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool on cookie sheets 2 minutes. Remove cookies to wire racks and cool completely.