Name: Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies - Easy Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: Approximately 18 cookies
Ingredients: 1 1/3 cups gluten-free flour; 3/4 teaspoon baking powder; 3/8 teaspoon baking soda; 3/4 pinch sea salt; 1/4 cup classic monkfruit sweetener; 3/8 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown monkfruit sweetener; 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons avocado oil; 1/4 cup almond milk; 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/8 cup vegan dark chocolate chips

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies are a revelation, a testament to the fact that you don’t need dairy or eggs to achieve pure, unadulterated cookie bliss. If you’ve ever doubted the magic of a truly decadent chocolate chip cookie without traditional ingredients, prepare to have your mind – and your taste buds – blown. We all crave that perfect balance: a slightly crisp edge giving way to a wonderfully chewy center, studded with pockets of molten chocolate. This recipe delivers precisely that, and it’s no wonder these vegan chocolate chip cookies have become a staple for so many. What makes them truly special is the way they capture that nostalgic comfort and pure joy, proving that plant-based baking can be every bit as indulgent and satisfying. Get ready to experience your new favorite go-to treat!

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups gluten-free flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/8 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 pinch sea salt
1/4 cup classic monkfruit sweetener
3/8 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown monkfruit sweetener
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons avocado oil
1/4 cup almond milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/8 cup vegan dark chocolate chips

Crafting Your Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

These vegan chocolate chip cookies are designed to be delightfully chewy on the inside with just the right amount of crisp on the edges. We’re using a blend of gluten-free flour for accessibility and monkfruit sweeteners to offer a refined sugar-free option that still delivers on sweetness. Avocado oil provides a neutral fat that contributes to the tender texture, while almond milk keeps them dairy-free and moist. The star, of course, is the rich vegan dark chocolate that melts into gooey pockets throughout the cookie. Let’s get started on creating these delicious treats.

Preheating and Preparing Your Baking Sheets

Before we even begin extract mixing our dry ingredients, it’s crucial to get your oven and baking sheets ready. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This consistent temperature is key to ensuring your cookies bake evenly and develop that perfect texture. While the oven is heating up, prepare your baking sheets. You can line them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This not only prevents the cookies from sticking but also makes for a much easier cleanup afterward. Having everything ready to go means you can immediately place your shaped cookies into the hot oven as soon as the dough is prepared, minimizing any downtime that could affect the dough’s consistency.

Mixing the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, we’ll combine all of our dry ingredients. This step is important for distributing the leavening agents and salt evenly throughout the flour mixture. Start by adding the 1 1/3 cups of gluten-free flour. Next, whisk in the 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder and the 3/8 teaspoon of baking soda. Baking powder is a double-acting leavener, meaning it reacts once when wet and again when heated, helping the cookies rise. Baking soda, on the other hand, needs an acidic ingredient to react, which it will find in the brown sugar later on, contributing to spread and browning. Finally, add the 3/4 pinch of sea salt. Salt not only enhances the overall flavor but also balances the sweetness of the cookies. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined and there are no visible streaks of leavening agents. Set this bowl aside.

Combining the Wet Ingredients and Sweeteners

Now, in a separate, larger mixing bowl, we’ll work on the wet ingredients and sweetegin extracts. Begin by adding the 1/4 cup of classic monkfruit sweetener and the 3/8 cup plus 2 tablespoons of brown monkfruit sweetener. These sweeteners offer a lovely sweetness without the usual sugar rush. Next, pour in the 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of avocado oil. Avocado oil is a fantastic choice here because it has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor that won’t interfere with the cookie’s taste. Add the 1/4 cup of almond milk and the 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The vanilla extract is essential for adding that classic comforting aroma and flavor profile to our cookies. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated. You want to ensure that the sweeteners are largely dissolved into the oil and almond milk. This process helps to create a cohesive base for our cookie dough.

Incorporating the Dry into the Wet and Adding Chocolate

With your wet ingredients and sweeteners beautifully combined, it’s time to bring it all together with the dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredient mixture. It’s best to do this in two or three additions, mixing on low speed after each addition, or by hand with a spatula. This prevents the flour from flying out of the bowl and ensures the dough doesn’t become overmixed, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined. You should no longer see any dry flour streaks. Overmixing at this stage can develop the gluten in the flour (even in gluten-free blends, some can develop) and result in a denser, tougher cookie. Once the dough is formed, gently fold in the 3/8 cup of vegan dark chocolate chips. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough, trying not to break them up too much. These chips will become glorious pockets of melted chocolate in your baked cookies.

Shaping and Baking Your Cookies

Now for the exciting part – shaping your vegan chocolate chip cookies! Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, portion out dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets. Aim for about 1.5 to 2 tablespoon-sized portions. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie on the baking sheet, as they will spread as they bake. For perfectly round cookies and a slightly more uniform look, you can gently roll each portion into a ball. If you want that classic slightly flattened cookie appearance right from the start, you can gently press down on the top of each dough ball with your palm or the bottom of a glass. Place the baking sheets into your preheated oven. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers still look slightly soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool. It’s important not to overbake them if you’re aiming for that desirable chewy interior.

Cooling and Enjoying Your Creation

Once your vegan chocolate chip cookies are out of the oven, resist the urge to move them immediately. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 to 10 minutes. This initial cooling period on the hot sheet allows them to firm up enough to be handled without falling apart. After this initial rest, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This allows air to circulate around the cookies, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy and ensuring they achieve their final crisp texture. Once they’ve reached room temperature, they are ready to be devoured. Enjoy the delightful combination of chewy, slightly crisp cookie and rich, melted vegan dark chocolate. They are perfect with a glass of almond milk or your favorite hot beverage.

Conclusion:

And there you have it! Our guide to achieving perfectly chewy and decadent Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies. We’ve walked through each step, ensuring you have the knowledge to bake these crowd-pleasers with confidence. The combination of plant-based butter, brown sugar, and a touch of plant milk creates a rich texture that rivals any traditional cookie. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your additions or to experiment with different types of chocolate chips – the possibilities are endless!

These delightful Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies are fantastic served warm with a glass of your favorite plant-based milk, or cooled and enjoyed with a cup of coffee. They also make a wonderful homemade gift for friends and family, vegan or not! We encourage you to try this recipe and savor the delicious results of your baking endeavors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why are my vegan chocolate chip cookies spreading too much?

Over-mixing the dough can develop the gluten too much, leading to spread. Also, ensure your plant-based butter is softened but not melted. If you’re in a warm environment, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can significantly help prevent excessive spreading.

Can I use a different type of flour in this vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe?

While all-purpose flour works best for the classic texture, you can experiment with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Keep in mind that gluten-free flours can sometimes absorb liquid differently, so you might need to slightly adjust the amount of plant milk. For whole wheat flour, it’s best to use white whole wheat to avoid a too-dense cookie.