Vegan chocolate chip cookies are a delicious and wholesome treat that everyone can enjoy, whether you follow a vegan lifestyle or not. These cookies are not only plant-based and free from animal products, but they’re also gluten-free, making them suitable for those with dietary restrictions or preferences. In this article, we’ll explore how to make vegan chocolate chip cookies from scratch, providing step-by-step instructions, tips for perfecting the recipe, and ideas for serving these irresistible cookies.
Ingredients Needed
- Flaxseed meal: Flaxseed meal serves as a vegan egg substitute, helping to bind the ingredients together.
- Water: Water is used to mix with the flaxseed meal to create a flax egg.
- Coconut oil: Melted coconut oil adds moisture and richness to the cookies, while also keeping them dairy-free.
- Coconut sugar: Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener that adds sweetness to the cookies without refined sugars.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies.
- Almond flour: Almond flour provides a nutty flavor and gluten-free texture to the cookies.
- Baking soda: Baking soda helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness of the cookies and enhances the flavor.
- Vegan chocolate chips: Use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the cookies vegan-friendly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Flax Egg:
- In a small bowl, mix together the flaxseed meal and water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens and forms a gel-like consistency.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the flax egg to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the almond flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients, stirring until a thick cookie dough forms.
- Fold in the vegan chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough:
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Once the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the dough and roll it into balls.
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy:
- Once the cookies have cooled, serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Tips for Perfecting Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Use Almond Flour: Almond flour provides a moist and tender texture to the cookies, but you can also experiment with other gluten-free flours if desired.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much while baking.
- Customize: Feel free to customize the cookies by adding chopped nuts, dried fruit, or shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy these vegan chocolate chip cookies as a sweet snack or dessert alongside a glass of almond milk or your favorite non-dairy beverage.
- Serve them warm with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream for an indulgent treat.
- Package them up in a gift box or tin to give as a thoughtful homemade gift to friends and family.
Vegan chocolate chip cookies are a delicious and guilt-free indulgence that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while still adhering to a vegan and gluten-free diet. With their soft and chewy texture, rich chocolate flavor, and wholesome ingredients, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Whether enjoyed as a midday snack or dessert after dinner, these vegan chocolate chip cookies are a delightful treat that everyone will love.
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