Looking for a sweet treat that’s vegan-friendly and cruelty-free? Look no further than these delicious and easy-to-make vegan cookie recipes! Vegan baking can be a challenge, but with the right ingredients and techniques, you can whip up moist, chewy, and flavorful cookies that everyone – vegans and non-vegans alike – will love. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just looking to test the waters of plant-based baking, these best vegan cookie recipes are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you feeling great.
What is a Vegan Cookie?
A vegan cookie is a type of cookie that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients such as dairy, eggs, or honey. Vegan cookies can be made using plant-based ingredients such as nut-based milks, vegan butter, and flax or chia eggs. Vegan cookies are perfect for those with dietary restrictions due to ethical, health, or environmental reasons.
Why Should You Try Vegan Cookies?
If you are looking to try something new or are curious about veganism, vegan cookies are a great starting point. Vegan cookies are just as delicious and flavorful as traditional cookies made with animal ingredients. In fact, some people argue that vegan cookies are even better because they tend to be healthier and lower in calories.
- Health Benefits: Vegan cookies are often made with healthier ingredients, such as whole grains, nuts, and seeds instead of refined flour and sugars. Additionally, they don’t contain any animal products or by-products that may be high in saturated fats or allergens that can cause inflammation.
- Environmentally Friendly: Eating vegan cookies is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the planet. Animal agriculture is responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. Choosing plant-based foods minimizes the impact of this problem.
- Moral and Ethical Considerations: For many people, being vegan is about more than just diet. It’s also about considering the welfare of animals and the ethics of using them for food. Choosing vegan cookies is a small but meaningful way to support these values.
What Are Some Tips For Making The Best Vegan Cookies?
Getting the texture and flavor just right when making vegan cookies can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s definitely possible to make amazing vegan cookies that rivals any traditional recipes. Here are some tips:
| TIP | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Use a flax or chia egg as a binding agent instead of eggs. |
| 2 | Use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of traditional butter. |
| 3 | Use non-dairy milk instead of dairy milk. |
| 4 | Swap out traditional refined sugar for a natural sweetener like maple syrup or coconut sugar. |
| 5 | When baking, monitor the cook time carefully. Vegan cookies can be drier than traditional cookies so overbaking can make them crispy and hard. |
Benefits of Eating Vegan Cookies
Vegan cookies offer numerous benefits, ranging from health to environmental benefits. These treats are delicious and nutritious, and here’s why:
Health Benefits
One significant advantage of consuming vegan cookies is that they are healthier than traditional cookies. Vegan cookies are typically made using whole-food ingredients, such as whole wheat flour, oats, coconut sugar, and nuts, providing various nutrients that contribute to looking and feeling good. These ingredients also have fiber, which helps you feel full and aid digestion, as well as provide valuable vitamins and minerals.
Additionally, vegan cookies contain fewer saturated fats than regular cookies, making them a healthier alternative to traditional treats. Saturated fats are unhealthy and have been linked to many health problems, including heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Vegan cookies usually replace butter, milk, and eggs with healthy fats such as coconut oil or nut butter.
Environmental Benefits
Vegan cookies are environmentally friendly. Traditional cookies require traditional dairy and eggs, both of which come with severe environmental damage due to how they are produced. The dairy industry releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which causes global warming and climate change, as well as cause severe water pollution. In contrast, making vegan cookies requires zero cows and no associated emissions, and the nut milk used often has a lower water consumption and environmental impact than dairy milk.
Moreover, vegan cookies are made with plant-based ingredients that often need less farming space. The farming needed to raise cows, for instance, is demanding; this means more cleared forests and more carbon emissions. Plant-based vegan cookies reduce the food carbon footprint as they do not cause excess land and resources to be used, and therefore reduce environmental damage.
Conclusion
Vegan cookies offer a delicious and easy way to enjoy flavorful treats while also being kind to your body and the environment. Whether you’re vegan or not, swap your traditional cookies for a delicious, healthier, and biodegradable option that aligns with your ethical and environmental considerations.
Top 3 Best Vegan Cookie Recipes
If you are a vegan or simply looking to try out some delicious vegan cookies, you are in luck! These top 3 best vegan cookie recipes are not only easy to make but also incredibly tasty. So, whether it’s for a special occasion or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, grab your apron and get ready to bake!
1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Chocolate chip cookies are a classic favorite, and for good reason. They are simple, tasty and perfect with a glass of plant-based milk. Here is a vegan twist on the traditional recipe:
- 1 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup plant-based milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups vegan chocolate chips
In a large bowl, cream together the vegan butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add the vanilla extract and plant-based milk and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until well combined. Then, fold in the vegan chocolate chips. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into balls and place them onto the baking sheet, leaving a few inches between each one. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
2. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe
Oatmeal raisin cookies are a classic vegan cookie that is perfect for any occasion. This vegan recipe is easy to make and packed with flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons flaxseed meal + 6 tablespoons water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the vegan butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and flax eggs. Add the vanilla extract and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until well combined. Then, fold in the raisins. Roll the dough into balls and place them onto the baking sheet, leaving a few inches between each one. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
3. Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
Peanut butter cookies are a vegan favorite and this easy-to-make recipe will not disappoint.
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the vegan butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and flax egg. Add the vanilla extract and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until well combined. Roll the dough into balls and place them onto the baking sheet, leaving a few inches between each one. Use the back of a fork to press down on each ball and create a criss-cross pattern. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
How to Make Your Own Vegan Cookie Recipe
If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to a vegan diet, why not try making your own vegan cookies? Not only does this give you control over what ingredients you use, but it’s also an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen. Here’s how you can make your own vegan cookie recipe:
1. Choose Your Base Ingredients
The first step in making your own vegan cookies is to choose your base ingredients. Traditional cookie recipes use ingredients like butter, eggs, and milk, which are all animal-derived. Fortunately, there are plenty of plant-based alternatives you can use instead. For example, you can use coconut oil, vegan margarine, or nut butter instead of butter. Flaxseeds or chia seeds mixed with water can be used as an egg substitute. Non-dairy milk, such as almond milk or soy milk, can be used instead of cow’s milk.
2. Adjust the Sugar
Next, it’s important to adjust the amount of sugar in your recipe. Traditional cookie recipes contain a lot of white sugar, which can be harmful to your health if consumed excessively. While vegan recipes may be healthier because they don’t contain animal products, they can be just as high in sugar. Try substituting some of the sugar with healthier alternatives like coconut sugar or maple syrup.
3. Add Flavor and Texture with Mix-Ins
The fun part of making your own vegan cookie recipe is adding flavor and texture with mix-ins. There are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can add to your cookies. Here are some ideas:
- Chopped nuts: pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, etc.
- Dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc.
- Vegan chocolate chips or chunks
- Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, etc.
- Flavor extracts: vanilla, almond, lemon, etc.
- Seeds: pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, etc.
Feel free to get creative and combine different mix-ins to create your own unique vegan cookie recipe!
4. Experiment with Different Flours
One of the challenges of making vegan cookies is finding the right texture. Without eggs and butter, it can be difficult to get the cookies to hold together and form a crispy exterior. One solution is to experiment with different types of flours. For example, chickpea flour can be used in place of regular flour in savory cookies, while almond flour can add a nutty flavor and texture to sweet cookies. Adding a little bit of cornstarch to the dough can also help the cookies hold their shape.
Experimenting with different flours may take some trial and error, but it’s worth it to find the perfect texture for your vegan cookies.
Ingredients and Tools Needed to Make Vegan Cookies
Do you want to enjoy some delicious vegan cookies but don’t know what ingredients and kitchen tools to use? In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of pantry staples and vegan-friendly items you need to make tasty cookies that everyone will love! We will also highlight the most important tools required for the job.
Ingredients
Below are the necessary ingredients to make vegan cookies. Some of these items are pantry staples, while others are vegan alternatives to traditional ingredients:
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda
- Oil
- Sugar
- Plant-Based Milk
- Vegan Butter
- Flaxseed Meal
All-purpose flour is the base of most cookie recipes, including vegan ones. It provides structure to the dough and helps the cookies hold their shape after baking.
Baking powder and baking soda are leavening agents used to give the cookies a rise during baking. Both are critical for achieving light and fluffy vegan cookies.
Much like traditional cookies, vegan versions require some type of oil or fat. They add richness to the dough, and the type of oil you use will determine the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Sweetness is essential for cookies, and sugar is primarily used to add it. There are various substitutes you can use to replace refined sugar, such as coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey alternatives.
Plant-based milk is used as a substitute for cow’s milk in vegan cookies. You can choose from different types of milk, such as almond, soy, rice, or oat milk. They add moisture to the dough and provide some creaminess to the final product.
Vegan butter is a non-dairy alternative to traditional butter. It adds flavor and creaminess to the dough and can be found at almost any grocery store. Vegans also substitute coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil.
Flaxseed meal is one of the most common vegan egg substitutes. You can mix it with water to create a flax egg that acts as a binding agent for the dough. Other vegan egg substitutes include applesauce and banana puree.
Tools
Making delicious vegan cookies also requires the right kitchen tools. Below is a list of items that will make your baking process more manageable and enjoyable:
- Mixing Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Cookie Scoop
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper or Silicon Mat
A mixing bowl is essential for dough preparation. Choose a sturdy and deep mixing bowl that can hold all the ingredients without spilling. Glass or stainless steel bowls are excellent choices.
While an electric mixer is not mandatory, it makes the dough smoother and more uniform. It also makes the process quicker and less messy.
A cookie scoop measures the dough into uniformly-sized balls that help ensure even baking. A cookie scoop can also maximize the number of cookies per batch.
A baking sheet is used to arrange the cookies for baking. Choose a high-quality baking sheet that distributes heat evenly to prevent burnt spots.
A non-stick surface like parchment paper or silicon mat makes it easier to remove the cookies from the baking sheet and prevents sticking. They also make cleaning up a breeze.
Now that you know the essential ingredients and tools needed to bake vegan cookies let your creativity flow and experiment with different flavors and textures. As long as you’re using vegan ingredients, there are infinite possibilities.
Tips for Baking Perfect Vegan Cookies Every Time
Whoever said that vegans can’t eat delicious cookies never tasted the rich and flavorful taste of vegan cookies. Vegan cookies can be just as delicious as traditional cookies provided you follow some essential tips. Whether you’re vegan or not, baking perfect vegan cookies every time requires accuracy, patience, and dedication. Below are some tips to help you bake the best vegan cookies every time.
Tip 1: Measure Ingredients Accurately
When it comes to baking perfect vegan cookies, accuracy is key. Unlike cooking, measuring ingredients in baking requires precision. Small errors in measurement, even a tiny bit, can lead to disastrous results. Use a kitchen scale or measuring cups and spoons to measure ingredients accurately. Precision will provide consistent and perfect results every time.
Tip 2: Chilling the Dough before Baking
Vegan cookies tend to have a higher moisture content than traditional cookies, making the dough sticky and difficult to handle. Chill the cookie dough for at least an hour or overnight before baking. Chilling the dough not only firms it up, making it easier to handle but also enhances the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Tip 3: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven before baking to ensure even baking. Preheating also helps to activate the leavening agents and set the structure of the cookies giving them a nice texture and color. Different ovens have different temperature distributions, but if you want perfectly baked vegan cookies, preheating the oven is essential.
Tip 4: Use a Timer to Avoid Over-Baking
Unlike traditional cookies, vegan cookies tend to be a bit more delicate and require a careful watch while baking. Always set a timer as an extra precaution. Over-baking the cookies not only ruins the flavor and texture but also makes them hard and brittle. Slightly under-baked cookies are softer and more chewy.
Tip 5: Don’t Forget to Add Salt
Salt is not only essential for the flavor but also for the texture of your vegan cookies. Salt helps to control the spread of the cookies, keeping them from spreading too much and becoming too thin. Don’t be afraid to add a pinch of salt to your vegan cookie batter, but not too much.
Tip 6: Experiment with Different Flours and Sweeteners
Another great way to make perfect vegan cookies is by experimenting with different flours and sweeteners. Vegan baking presents endless possibilities for creativity and innovation. You can try using almond flour, coconut flour, oat flour, or a combination of different flours. Similarly, you can use agave nectar, maple syrup, or brown sugar in place of granulated sugar for a healthier alternative. The possibilities are endless – experiment and find what works for you.
Vegan Food
Veganism is a lifestyle that advocates for animal rights and abstains from the consumption and use of animal products. The vegan diet excludes meat, dairy, eggs, and even honey. Fortunately, you don’t have to miss out on sweets just because you’re a vegan. There are many delicious vegan desserts, and cookies are one of them. Here are some FAQs about making the best vegan cookies.
No, regular chocolate chips contain milk solids, which are not vegan. However, you can still enjoy chocolate chip cookies without breaking your vegan diet. You can use vegan chocolate chips or chop up a vegan chocolate bar instead.
Yes, applesauce is a common egg substitute in vegan baking. Use 1/4 cup applesauce in place of 1 egg in the recipe. The applesauce provides a similar texture and moisture as eggs, making it an ideal substitute in cookie recipes.
- Banana: mashed banana is an excellent egg substitute for cookies that require a binding agent. Use 1/4 cup mashed banana in place of 1 egg.
- Flax Seeds: grind flax seeds in a blender or food processor and mix with water to form an egg-like consistency. Use 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water to replace 1 egg.
- Aquafaba: this is the liquid leftover from canned chickpeas or other legumes. It has a similar consistency to egg whites and can be whipped into stiff peaks. Use 3 tablespoons of aquafaba in place of 1 egg.
All-purpose flour is the most commonly used flour for making cookies, and it’s vegan-friendly. However, some people prefer to use almond flour, coconut flour, or oat flour for their vegan cookies. These flours have a different texture and flavor than all-purpose flour, but they can make delicious cookies. Experiment to find your favorite.
Yes, coconut oil is a flavorful and healthy alternative to butter in vegan baking. It’s solid at room temperature, making it an ideal substitute for butter in cookie recipes. However, keep in mind that coconut oil has a lower melting point than butter, so your cookies may spread more than expected. To avoid this, chill the dough before baking.
In general, vegan cookies are less chewy than their non-vegan counterparts because they don’t contain eggs. However, you can make your vegan cookies chewy by using brown sugar instead of white sugar, adding more liquid to the recipe, and underbaking them slightly. Chewy cookies also benefit from a higher fat content, so consider using coconut oil or vegan butter in your recipe.
Yes, you can freeze vegan cookie dough, which is a great way to have freshly baked cookies on hand. Shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a resealable plastic bag and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed.
Happy Baking!
Thanks for reading about the best vegan cookie recipes with us! We hope you’ve found some delicious inspiration to try out in your own kitchen. Don’t forget to bookmark this page so you can come back for more fantastic vegan food ideas. We’re always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to share with our readers, so be sure to visit again soon!