Whip Up Delicious Vegan Cookies with These Simple Recipes
Who doesn't love a freshly baked cookie? Whether you're in the mood for a sweet snack or looking to impress your friends with your culinary skills, cookies are always a good choice. But what if you follow a vegan lifestyle? You might think that you're limited in your options, but that's simply not the case. With a few simple substitutions, you can enjoy all your favorite cookie flavors without using any animal products!
Start with a Classic: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Everybody loves chocolate chip cookies, and vegans are no exception. To make this classic treat without using butter or eggs, substitute coconut oil for the butter and use a flax or chia egg in place of the chicken eggs. You can also use almond milk instead of regular milk to make these cookies dairy-free.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup coconut oil, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 flax or chia eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with 6 tbsp water)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 cups vegan chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the coconut oil, brown sugar, white sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat in the flax or chia eggs and almond milk until well combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. Allow them to cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Try Something Different: Peanut Butter Cookies
If you're a fan of peanut butter, you'll love these cookies. They're rich, nutty, and perfect for when you want something a little different than your standard chocolate chip cookie. To make them vegan-friendly, replace the butter with a vegan margarine or coconut oil and use a flax or chia egg instead of a regular egg.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegan margarine or coconut oil, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 flax or chia egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with 3 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the vegan margarine or coconut oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the flax or chia egg and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to press down on each ball, making a crisscross pattern on top.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Get Creative: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
For a more wholesome cookie option, try making some oatmeal raisin cookies. They're filled with fiber, protein, and all sorts of good-for-you ingredients. To make them vegan-friendly, swap out the butter for a vegan margarine or coconut oil and use a flax or chia egg in place of the chicken egg.
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup vegan margarine or coconut oil, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 flax or chia eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with 6 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the vegan margarine or coconut oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the flax or chia eggs and vanilla extract until combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the oats and raisins.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Making Perfect Vegan Cookies
Now that you've got some yummy vegan cookie recipes to try out, here are a few tips to ensure success:
- Use quality ingredients. Vegan baking can sometimes require a bit more finesse than traditional baking, so be sure to use high-quality ingredients.
- Take your time. Baking is all about precision, so don't rush through the steps. Take your time and follow the recipe carefully.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so mix until just combined.
- Adjust the baking time. Vegan cookies can sometimes take a little longer to bake than traditional cookies, so keep an eye on them and adjust the baking time as needed.
Now that you've got all the info you need, go forth and bake some delicious vegan cookies that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!