Wheat Germ Cookies

Adding wheat germ to cookie recipes can turn a simple treat into a healthy snack that's rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins B and E. You can substitute wheat germ for a portion of the flour in recipes, add it as a separate ingredient or sprinkle crunchy, toasted wheat germ on top of cookies before baking. Add a glass of skim milk for calcium, and you have a nutrient-rich version of an age-old snack.

Nutritional Content

Wheat germ is the heart of the wheat kernel, which is separated from the rest of the grain when wheat is milled into flour. This small, nutrient-packed component offers protein, fatty acids, numerous essential minerals and vitamins. When you replace one-fourth cup of refined wheat flour with one-fourth cup of wheat germ in cookie recipes, you add 7 g of protein, 4 g of fiber, 2 mg of iron, 256 mg of potassium, 69 mg of magnesium and 4 mg of zinc, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This portion of wheat germ has 104 calories and 3 g of unsaturated fat.

Healthier Cookies

Using wheat germ in cookie recipes significantly increases their nutritional value, according to an article published in the October 1991 issue of "Plant Foods for Human Nutrition." M. Bajaj, Ph.D., and co-authors experimented with cookies made with wheat germ and sunflower seeds to create a healthy treat rich in protein and fiber. The extra protein, carbohydrates and unsaturated fats in wheat germ promote healthy weight gain and weight maintenance, they found. BreastCancer.org recommends blending wheat germ into cookies and other baked foods to boost their protein content and add nutrient-dense calories.

Texture and Flavor

Toasted wheat germ adds a sweet, nutty flavor and a mildly coarse texture to your cookie recipes. The taste of wheat germ blends well with raisins, dried cranberries, dates, nuts, oats, apples or sunflower seeds. Wheat germ is rich in insoluble fiber, which helps your body digest foods and regulates your bowel function. The bulk in wheat germ makes cookies more filling, which may curb your appetite and prevent overeating.

Recipe Ingredients

A low-fat wheat germ cookie recipe may include brown sugar, canola oil, applesauce, eggs, whole oats, flour, salt, nuts and optional chocolate chips, according to TasteofHome.com. Use applesauce to replace butter in cookies to reduce unsaturated fat. One wheat germ cookie made according to this recipe has 102 calories, 5 g of fat, 1 g of fiber and 2 g of protein.

Substitution

To replace a portion of the flour in recipes with wheat germ, substitute up to one-third cup of wheat germ. Wheat germ can add a robust texture to muffins, banana bread, pancakes or biscuits. Because the fiber in wheat germ adds bulk and density to baked foods, include less wheat germ if you desire a cookie, bread or muffin with a lighter texture.