Four little cookies nestle warmly inside a cellophane wrapper, tied with a straw-like bow. The little dollops contain perfect-sized morsels of peanut butter and dark chocolate in a bed of brown oats. The combination of sweet and bitter deliciousness is enough to make any health-conscious junky melt as soon as the flavor hits the taste buds. Something this delicious has to be bad for you.

However, these cookies, “O’Cookies,” are sweet snacks that are actually good for you. They are the second coming of tasty treats. They are the saviors of cookies, if you will. With approximately 60 calories, only one gram of fat and completely organic, dessert hounds and health-nuts alike can enjoy a yummy indulgence without the guilt.

O’Cookies is the dream made reality for two Southern Methodist University graduates (and sisters), Erin and Meghann O’Leary. The O’Leary sisters, originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., would experiment in their kitchens with tasty recipes and surprise friends with birthday treats, until about a year ago when Erin decided to take her baking talent mainstream.

Erin O’Leary, 27, the founder of O’Cookies, is a petite, blonde ball of energy. Erin graduated from SMU as a dance major and advertising minor, which she says influenced her creatively and gave her the confidence to start her own company.

Erin currently lives in West Village in New York City and is a fitness instructor for Physique57, a trendy ballet-inspired workout (Kelly Ripa is a fan!). For three years she worked for top restaurateurs in New York City while focusing on her dancing career. For Erin, the idea for O’Cookies is something that just happened.

“I would bake all the time when I had roommates and would play around with healthier options,” says Erin, a self-proclaimed health nut. “Once I created the Dark Chocolate Raisin Oat, my friends persuaded me to do something with them!”

Meghann O’Leary, 25, co-founder and Marketing Director of O’Cookies looks like she just stepped out of Glamour Magazine’s “Fashion Do’s” page. Meghann’s white leather jacket and hot pink shirt matches stylishly with dark jeans and patent leather Louboutin’s. With the exception of her jet-black hair, she is a carbon copy of her older sister. Her fair freckled skin is lightly made-up, revealing her natural Irish beauty.

Meghann graduated from SMU in 2005, with a degree in Markets and Culture, the first to graduate with this degree in the university’s history. Between late-night studying and fraternity parties, she remembers the obstacles she met when it came to eating right.

“I know when I was in college it was hard to eat healthy, especially on a college budget,” says Meghann. “O’Cookies represents the healthy snack, a great dessert for the health-conscious mind.”

After Meghann graduated, she worked as an attorney recruiter for a Dallas law firm where she gained “valuable business and interpersonal skills” that have contributed to her O’Cookies success. She recently left the law firm to pursue the family venture.

“It is so rewarding to be able to pursue your own dream as your career,” said Meghann.

Despite the fact that they are running a business from two different areas of the country (Erin as the New York distributor, and Meghann as the Dallas liaison), the O’Sisters do not let distance come between their venture. They both bake from New York and Dallas, in commercial pastry kitchens.

“While coordinating across several state lines does have its hiccups and challenges, especially for such a small operation, it has provided us with the framework to potentially expand to other parts of the country as we mature,” says Erin.

Meghann and Erin are not the only two O’Leary family members that have joined business forces. Their mother and father also share business ties.

“My mother runs my father’s private medical practice and handles the company’s finances,” says Meghann. “Their working partnership has been a great example…my mother’s management and dedication has been our inspiration.”

“[Our mother] has always encouraged us to be independent and passionate with respect to goals and objectives,” says Erin.

Caitlin O’Leary, the youngest sister in the O’Leary clan, is a junior at SMU and is excited to see her sisters take on this exciting endeavor.

“I’m so proud of my sisters and their entrepreneurship,” said Caitlin. “As a business major myself, it is very inspiring.”

As for joining her sisters in the family business, Caitlin says, “Yes! I definitely would.”

Although the economy is hurting, O’Cookies’ business is thriving, especially after the two sisters began to order their organic ingredients through wholesale suppliers.

“Even though the economy isn’t in great shape right now, O’Cookies is doing well because people are finding new ways of treating themselves without spending a lot of money,” says Erin. “O’Cookies make special and unique gifts for a great price. People may not be spending the money going out to dinner or on other luxury items, but they are able to have that sense of indulgence by ordering our decadent bites.”

“We are a niche cookie business with high expectations for the future of our product,” adds Megan. “We are growing every week!”

A dozen of the cookies costs fifteen dollars and come in a variety of four flavors: dark chocolate raisin oat, white chocolate cranberry oat, dark chocolate peanut butter oat, and fruit and nutz.

When it comes to creating a new flavor, Erin says she is, “Always trying to think of new combinations…That’s the fun part!”

Every holiday the duo tries to come out with a limited edition flavor. They are also working on a highly anticipated sugar-free line. The “all organic wholesome bites” use “only the highest quality chocolates and naturally dried fruits.” There are no hydrogenated oils and zero trans fats. O’Cookies are made with unrefined sugar, egg whites, whole-wheat flour and just a hint of butter. They also boast two grams of fiber and 1.2 grams of protein.

O’Cookies aren’t only for the health-conscious ladies! Edwin Clark, an SMU senior and proud consumer of O’Cookies, can’t get enough of the tasty treat.

“Guys don’t think as much as girls do about calories. I would never think something low-calorie would taste good. But with these, I don’t have to worry! They are healthy and they are tasty,” said Clark.

O’Cookies have become so popular that Glamour Magazine featured them in their Daily Health and Fitness blog in February 2009. Shape Magazine has also contacted the O’Sisters to feature their product in their July 2009 “Snack Awards.”

“Cross your fingers!” says Erin.

Red Licorice Events, based in Austin, TX, has also contacted the O’Sisters for sponsorship. The event company is known for their “sweet and twisted” approach to athletic events such as mountain bike races, triathlons, duathons, 5K’s and 10K’s. Erin said they cannot wait to join in on the fun.

When asked if they ever thought that the company would take off the way it has, Erin says, “Not at all. It was such a small idea and dream to start. It has taken a lot of time and hard work, support from family and friends, and, well, inspiration.”

Now what exactly does the “O” in O’Cookies stand for?

“Let’s just say we are really proud to be Irish,” says Erin. “I guess calling our company O’Cookies is a small way to keep the Irish in our lives as we move on and grow up.”

To find out more about O’Cookies, visit o-cookies.com. Also check out Erin’s health blog, “The Way the Cookie Crumbles…” at o-cookies.blogspot.com.