Vegan chocolate cookies

Vegan Chocolate Cookies - a delicious and healthy choice!

Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 10-12 minutes
Number of servings: 24 cookies

Do you want to indulge in a delicious dessert and enjoy every bite without using animal-derived ingredients? Vegan chocolate cookies are the perfect answer! These cookies are not only easy to make, but they are also incredibly tasty, just as good as traditional ones. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of tea with friends or give them as a sweet gift, these cookies will bring a smile to everyone’s face.

The history of vegan cookies dates back to the desire to provide a healthy alternative without animal products. They have gained popularity among those adopting a vegan lifestyle, as well as those looking to reduce animal consumption. Chocolate cookies, in particular, are a universal favorite, and the recipe you will discover below is simple yet yields extraordinary results.

Ingredients:
- 1 package (approx. 250g) coconut or sunflower oil-based margarine
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar (you can also use coconut sugar for a caramelized taste)
- 260g applesauce (grated and cooked green apples with a bit of sugar)
- 2 ½ cups white or spelt flour (spelt flour adds extra fiber)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 300g chocolate chips (dairy-free chocolate drops, such as those from Openhaimer)
- 150g nuts, chopped (optional, you can also use peanuts or almonds)

Ingredient tips:
- Margarine: Choose a quality margarine based on vegetable oils for a fluffy texture. If you want to add a subtle coconut flavor, coconut-based margarine is the perfect choice.
- Sugar: Brown sugar provides a deeper taste and a caramel aroma, but you can also experiment with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or agave, adjusting the flour amount accordingly.
- Applesauce: This not only adds moisture but also a fruity note. You can also use banana puree or pumpkin puree for a seasonal variation.
- Flour: If you want a gluten-free option, you can use almond flour or oat flour, making sure to adjust the liquid amount in the recipe.

Preparation:
1. Prepare the dough: Start by bringing all ingredients to room temperature. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the margarine, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the mixture becomes fluffy and the sugar is no longer felt when touched. This step is essential for airy and delicious cookies.

2. Add dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the mixer bowl, mixing on low speed. Add the applesauce and continue mixing until everything is well incorporated.

3. Chocolate and nuts: Finally, add the chocolate chips and chopped nuts, mixing gently with a spatula to avoid breaking the chocolate.

4. Preheat the oven: While mixing the dough, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. It is important to have the oven well heated to achieve perfectly baked cookies.

5. Form the cookies: Use a teaspoon or two to form mounds of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave enough space between them, as they will spread during baking.

6. Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until they become slightly golden at the edges. Don’t worry if they seem a bit soft at first; they will firm up as they cool.

7. Cooling: After taking them out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Serving suggestion: These vegan cookies pair perfectly with green tea or almond latte. You can even serve them with vegan vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert!

Possible variations: You can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a more complex flavor. You can also experiment with different types of nuts or seeds, such as sunflower seeds or pistachios, for an interesting texture.

Calories and nutritional benefits: These vegan cookies contain about 150 calories each, depending on the serving size. Spelt flour provides more fiber than regular white flour, and nuts add valuable proteins and essential fatty acids. Additionally, dark chocolate is a powerful antioxidant, beneficial for heart health.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use another type of sweetener? Yes, you can experiment with different natural sweeteners, but you will need to adjust the flour amount as well.
- Can the cookies be frozen? Absolutely! These cookies freeze very well, so you can make a double batch and enjoy them anytime you crave something sweet.
- What is the shelf life? Stored in an airtight container, the cookies will stay fresh for up to a week.

Now that you have all the necessary details, it's time to get cooking! Vegan chocolate cookies are not only a delicious choice but also an excellent way to combine pleasure with health. Enjoy!